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. 

As a Sr. Lead Program Manager (New Technologies) within the Vehicle Planning and Programs team at Rivian, you will play a critical role collaborating in the development and execution of next-generation vehicle technologies and products within Rivian. You will coordinate projects around new technology adoption for Rivian products supporting all engineering and operations groups. This includes ideation, advanced cross-functional technical R&D (internal and external), feasibility analysis, and product innovation, as well as financial business case development and operational planning. Leveraging a strategic mindset, high initiative, and sound judgment, you will collaborate with technical teams to help drive cost, timing, and commercial strategy ensuring cross-functional alignment, and influencing senior leadership, particularly as it relates to the technological trajectory of Rivian roadmap.

• Act as a partner to technical, engineering and operations teams (internal and external) to identify and mature next-generation technologies.
• Collaborate with teams on short term and long term ideation projects, seminars and workshops, supporting long term R&D
• Maintain strong outside relationships and perform research on best in class technologies within and outside the automotive industry
• Support all teams to develop end-to-end R&D planning, ensuring milestones, business operations requirements, and financial objectives are met alongside quality, timing, and commercial targets.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to develop integrated business planning —including resourcing and scheduling —that ensure technologies and program readiness milestones are aligned.
• Deliver clear and regular program updates on R&D progress, operational efficiency, and budget adherence to executive stakeholders—translating complex technical and financial metrics into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Continuously identify program risks across R&D, financial, and business operation dimensions; proactively lead mitigation strategies with a focus on long-term technical and commercial viability.
• Support strategic problem-solving in R&D, manufacturing innovation, technical feasibility, and financial modeling—enabling transformative progress in vehicle
• capabilities and business growth.
• Champion a culture of operational excellence, technical innovation, financial rigor, and cross-team collaboration that differentiates Rivian’s product development and delivery.
• Act as a partner across technical program managers, finance/business operations leaders, and senior executives—ensuring ongoing alignment on technical priorities and resource allocation.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Finance, or a relevant technical field (Master’s or MBA strongly preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in program management, with substantial experience in R&D project delivery, business operations, and financial planning—ideally gained within automotive, electric vehicles, or advanced product development sectors.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale and complex R&D-focused programs, as well as operational and financial planning initiatives throughout the full product lifecycle.
• Prior experience in technical roles (DRE, R&D, Product Delivery) with a solid foundation in engineering theory, technical program management, and business operations.
• Advanced analytical and financial skills, including experience with program budgeting, resource management, business case analysis, and cost/benefit modeling for major technical initiatives.
• Track record of delivering measurable results in cross-functional environments, driving projects that balance technical ambition, business operations excellence, and financial sustainability.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and executive presentation skills; able to convey technical and financial information to diverse audiences, including C-suite
• stakeholders.
• Familiarity with advanced program management, business operations, and f inancial planning tools (MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Lucid, Tableau, ERP
• systems, etc.).
• Collaborative, data-driven, and passionate about innovation and commercial impact.
• Comfortable in a dynamic, rapidly evolving environment with high expectations for
• technical and financial outcomes.

Salary range for California Based Applicants: $196,000-$245,000 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment, and Rivian covers most of the premiums.

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  candidateaccommodations@rivian.com .

Candidate Data Privacy

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. 

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