Sr. Electromagnetic Design Engineer

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

As an Electromagnetic Design, Analysis & Characterization Engineer on the Advanced Hardware team, you will bridge the gap between high-fidelity physics simulation, component development, and experimental laboratory validation. You will own the electromagnetic design, advanced analytical analysis, and physical testing of critical magnetic, electric motor lamination, and electrical insulation materials across both electric traction motors and power electronics magnetic units.

Additionally, you will utilize 2D/3D finite element analysis (FEA) and rigorous mathematical modeling to develop next-generation magnetic components and automotive actuators, driving the complete data loop from hardware testing to virtual simulation for Rivian’s upcoming mass-market R2 platform and future L4 autonomous vehicle architectures. You will work closely with cross-functional teams in Thermal, Mechanical, NVH, Vehicle Integration, and Physical Validation Labs to ensure automotive-grade reliability, efficiency, and cost-down targets.

Responsibilities

• Material-Level Testing: Design and execute laboratory testing pipelines for magnetic materials, and electric motor insulation materials. Conduct experimental characterization of electrical steel laminations (B-H curves, core losses). Execute accelerated thermal aging and dielectric breakdown studies on electrical machine insulation to evaluate long-term reliability and degradation mechanisms.

• Analytical Modeling & FE Simulation: Develop and implement advanced analytical and numerical mathematical models to describe non-linear electromagnetic behavior (including custom core loss models, frequency-dependent copper losses, and non-linear permanent magnet demagnetization boundaries). Establish rigorous experimental verification pipelines to validate analytical models against laboratory test data, and seamlessly integrate these verified frameworks into large-scale, high-fidelity finite element (FE) simulations to ensure simulation-to-test alignment and reduce prototyping reliance.

• Electromagnetic Design & Simulation: Perform advanced 2D and 3D transient, magnetostatic, and frequency domain electromagnetic finite element analysis (FEA) using Ansys Maxwell or JMAG for electric motor components, high-frequency magnetics, and low-frequency automotive actuators. Optimize magnetic circuit topologies to maximize torque and power density while mitigating magnetic saturation and torque ripple. Execute large-scale parametric optimization sweeps to balance multi-objective trade-offs between packaging constraints, structural integrity, electromagnetic efficiency, and strict automotive cost targets.

• Multiphysics Co-Simulation: Conduct coupled simulations to evaluate electromagnetic performance under severe duty cycles. Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams (Thermal, Mechanical, NVH, and Vehicle Integration) to align simulation boundaries, validate model accuracy, and optimize overall motor performance.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or Physics with a core research focus on Electromagnetics, Magnetic Materials, Electric Machines, or Analytical Electromechanical Modeling.

• 2-5 years of experience on traction motor/magnetic insulation testing, electromechanical component design, and numerical math modeling.

• Strong mathematical and analytical foundation with proven experience deriving and implementing physical equations for electromagnetic fields, loss optimization, or material degradation kinetics.

• Proficiency with electromagnetic simulation software such as Ansys Electronics Desktop (Maxwell, Icepak) or JMAG.

• Expert-level scripting skills in Python or MATLAB/Simulink for custom math model development, automated data post-processing, and laboratory equipment data automation.

• Direct hands-on experience operating laboratory test equipment (e.g., impedance/LCR analyzers, high-voltage insulation/hipot testers).

• Highly self-driven with a strong root-cause mindset to diagnose complex test-to-simulation discrepancies, identify fundamental failure modes, and leverage excellent cross-functional communication skills to translate complex electromagnetic data into actionable hardware design choices.

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is USD 135,100-168,900 for Southern California 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 October 15th, 2026.

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at [email protected].

Candidate Data Privacy and Technology

Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.

How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process: To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role.

AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate.

Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.