Lead Quality Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California

INTRODUCTION

The Rivian Supply Chain team is looking for strategic technical leaders to drive the quality and reliability of our vehicle programs. As a Lead Supplier Development, Industrialization & Quality Engineer, you are an advanced individual contributor and subject matter expert responsible for the complete supplier quality lifecycle, from initial sourcing to ongoing business management. You act as a leader with minimal manager input, taking direct ownership of the most critical and highest-risk suppliers to ensure a seamless production ramp.

In this role, you lead the resolution of complex manufacturing issues and partner with cross-functional leadership to drive systemic change across the organization. You are responsible for identifying and mitigating high-impact risks, serving as a technical mentor, and providing the expert-level analysis necessary to influence critical sourcing and design decisions. We are looking for an expert who can drive accountability with suppliers at the executive level and advocate for the team’s needs in major program reviews.

This position is based onsite in Irvine, California with a 25-50% domestic and international travel requirement and reports to the Sr. Manager, Supplier Development Industrialization & Quality Manager.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supplier Management: Own the complete "Cradle to Grave" supplier quality lifecycle to ensure seamless production ramps. Manage critical CL0 and CL1 suppliers, resolving failures to mitigate risks or delays.

• Problem-Solving and Risk Mitigation: Lead the breaking down of complex problems and datasets to derive meaningful, actionable results. Apply standard, robust problem-solving tools to address systemic issues across the supply base.

• Technical Skills: Lead high-complexity APQP/PPAP projects impacting major program milestones. Optimize supplier quality KPIs to predict and prevent future failures, aligning project efforts with long-term goals.

• Organizational Influence & Outreach: Act as a key advisor to program leadership, presenting and defending strategic recommendations in high-stakes forums. Drive systemic cross-functional change using first principles to persuade other functions to adopt new processes.

• Direction: Operate as a leader with minimal manager input, holding accountability for the performance of suppliers and cross-functional teams. Act instinctively to manage and prioritize complex workloads in high-pressure situations.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field and a minimum of 6 years of relevant supplier development experience.

• Domain Expertise: Full understanding of the procurement end-to-end lifecycle and experience managing high-risk supplier portfolios.

• Commodity-Specific Experience:

  • Experience with battery, cells, cell materials, or other electrochemical or electronics components.
  • Familiarity with cell manufacturing processes and the quality challenges of scaling new technology.
  • Experience supporting new product introduction with suppliers in a high-volume automotive setting.

• Technical Skills: Primary owner of the business case and execution for significant process improvement initiatives.

• Communication: Interpreter of information who can facilitate productive conversations and gain buy-in for a clear vision.

• Execution: Expert analysis and recommendations directly influence critical sourcing decisions and capital investments.

• Operational Style: Operates as a leader with minimal manager input, holding accountability for the performance of suppliers/cross-functional teams; navigates high-pressure situations by reaching beyond defined scope to solve problems.

• Travel Requirements: Regular domestic and international travel is a core part of this role, expected to average between 25–50%.