Exceptional People + Purpose Beyond Profit = Watershed Outcomes

Exceptional People + Purpose Beyond Profit = Watershed Outcomes

Sr. Staff Technical Program Manager, Steering Actuator System

Rivian

Rivian

IT, Operations
Irvine, CA, USA · United States
USD 196k-245k / year
Posted on Aug 2, 2025

Job Description

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

We're looking for a highly experienced and driven Sr. Staff Technical Program Manager to lead the end-to-end execution of our innovative Steering Actuator System. This pivotal role is nested within our Powertrain Technical Program Management Team, offering a unique opportunity to drive a critical technology that will define the future of our vehicles.

As the Sr. Staff TPM for Steering Actuator System, you won't just oversee engineering deliverables; you'll have full cradle-to-grave ownership of the SBW subsystem. This includes guiding its development from concept through to production and beyond, ensuring seamless integration and exceptional performance.


Responsibilities

  • Program Leadership: Drive the comprehensive execution of the Steering Actuator System program, ensuring all aspects align with overall vehicle program goals and timelines.
  • Cross-Functional Orchestration: Lead and coordinate efforts across diverse teams, including Engineering (Hardware, Systems), Software, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Supplier Quality.
  • Technical & Business Ownership: Own all facets of the Steering Actuator subsystem, from high-level requirements definition and detailed engineering integration between Engineering, Commercial & Manufacturing to critical business metrics like Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) and Investment.
  • Supplier Oversight: Provide overall ownership and strategic direction for Steering Actuator System suppliers, working closely with the Procurement and Supplier Quality teams to ensure all quality, delivery, and cost targets are met.
  • Risk Management: Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate technical, schedule, and business risks throughout the program lifecycle.
  • Timeline & Budget Adherence: Develop, maintain, and relentlessly drive aggressive yet achievable program schedules and budgets.
  • Communication & Reporting: Provide clear, concise, and regular updates on program status, risks, and achievements to senior leadership and stakeholders.
  • Problem Solving: Act as the primary point of contact for all program related issues, leading root cause analysis and implementing effective solutions.
  • Quality Assurance: Ensure the Steering Actuator System meets all performance, safety, and quality standards, working closely with supplier quality and validation teams.

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of experience in technical program management within the automotive industry, with a strong focus on complex vehicle systems.
  • Demonstrated experience with steering system, braking system, or other safety-critical systems is highly preferred.
  • Proven track record of full end-to-end program ownership, including engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and financial aspects (COGS, investment).
  • Strong technical acumen with the ability to understand complex engineering challenges and communicate effectively with technical teams.
  • Exceptional leadership and communication skills, capable of influencing and motivating cross-functional teams without direct authority.
  • Experience collaborating with procurement and supplier quality teams for global supplier management.
  • Proficiency in program management tools and methodologies (e.g., Gantt charts, risk registers (Jira), critical path analysis).
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field. Master's degree preferred.

Pay Disclosure

Salary Range for California Based Applicants: $196,000.00 - $245,000.00 (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 and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Full Time Employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment.




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.