Staff Process Engineer, Drive Unit (3rd Shift)
Rivian · Normal, IL
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Process
- Base pay
- $126k–$157k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 3 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior process role at Rivian (automotive) in Normal, IL.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, DMAIC, SPC
- Base pay
- $126k–$157k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 9, 2026
Process Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $78k–$112k. This one lists $126k–$157k.
Median of the low and high ends of 20 live postings that list pay, out of 34 process engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 33 other live process postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- About 52% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 6+)
Typical $78k–$108k, from 19 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 6+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 44%
- Root cause 41%
- ✓ Six Sigma 38%
- ✓ New product launch 26%
- ✓ FMEA 24%
- ✓ 5S 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Minitab, AutoCAD, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Process team at Rivian
We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Brian → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Rivian in Normal
19 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in process roles at Rivian.
- Sr. Process Engineer, Drive Unit (3rd Shift) · Process · Senior
- Process Engineer, Drive Unit (3rd Shift) · Process
- Sr. Controls Engineer - Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) · Controls · Senior
- Staff Controls Engineer - Body · Controls · Senior
- Early Career - Manufacturing Engineer II - Body (Tooling & Process) · Process
- Sr. Quality Engineer, Containment Lead · Quality · Manager
Full description from RivianAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
Coordinate engineering changes and new program launches Review, interpret, and summarize statistical data to drive process improvement Determine the ‘Best Practice’ process approach of material, tooling, equipment, and labor process Develop and maintain high-quality work instructions, standardized work, process flows, and PFMEAs to ensure manufacturing consistency Work with design engineering team to develop and establish a design that lends itself to high volume production while ensuring quality during the manufacturing process Work with manufacturing engineering team to commission and optimize next generation drive unit/propulsion assembly equipment Perform time analysis using a standard motion time system (MODAPTS), estimate production times, manage staffing requirements, manage labor costs, and drive line balancing Support production teams through process and equipment related troubleshooting and continuous improvement Develop recovery/troubleshooting best practices and procedures for production team to increase equipment availability Investigate assembly issues and implement solutions by reviewing product design, established processes, and equipment/tooling effectiveness Review, interpret, and summarize statistical data (SPC) to identify trends, reduce scrap, and drive measurable process improvements Monitor Quality KPI and develop action items to reduce cost with cross functional teams
Qualifications
To be considered for this position, all internal candidates must submit an updated resume highlighting their relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Applications submitted without an updated resume will not be considered. Please ensure that your resume accurately reflects your
qualifications
for this role. Bachelor's/Masters degree in engineering discipline 5-7+ years engineering experience in a high-volume manufacturing operation, preferably automotive and/or drive unit/propulsion manufacturing Creative problem-solving skills Must have good communication skills – both verbal and written Hands-on experience with supporting production equipment (Mechanical, electrical, control systems, automation, robotics, etc.) Experience in using 2D & 3D Modeling tools (AutoCAD, CATIA/ENOVIA) Experience and/or Knowledge in DOE, Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance, Torque Tooling, Error Proofing, and PFMEA Experience and/or certification in Six Sigma DMAIC, Lean Assembly Principles, Time Studies using MTM or MODAPTS Proficiency in SPC software (Minitab, JMP) for Cp/Cpk analysis Knowledge of SQL for data extraction is a strong plus Strong team orientation and cross functional attitude Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma etc experience is a plus Availability to work 2nd/night shift Preferred "Plus" Skills Direct experience with DUA, DUT and or SPIM/DPIM manufacturing processes Experience in an EV-specific powertrain environment Physical
Requirements
Ability to stand for 8–12 hours per day Required to walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl during equipment troubleshooting Ability to lift and carry at least 25 pounds Pay Disclosure The salary range for this role is $125,800 - $157,200 for Illinois based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com. You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than November 16th, 2026. Equal Opportunity Rivian
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
About Rivian Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract. As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations. Role Summary Rivian is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Staff Process Engineer to optimize our manufacturing processes and uphold the highest standards of product quality. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between process efficiency and quality assurance, driving continuous improvement initiatives and ensuring compliance with industry standards and internal specifications. This role is critical to maintaining high yields, reducing waste, and delivering reliable products to our customers. The Staff Process Engineer position at Rivian will support our Drive Unit production and report to the Sr. Manager of Process Engineering within the Drive Unit Team. This role requires a high level of technical ownership, particularly in the scaling and optimization of drive unit assembly.
