Senior Test Engineer

- Take ownership of the complete test strategy for a significant technical domain (e.g., powertrain durability, system thermal, NVH, or rig-based validation), ensuring it aligns with vehicle specifications, program timelines, and safety requirements. - Convert high-level attributes and Design Validation Plans (DVP) into actionable testing methods, profiles, and acceptance criteria that can be consistently implemented across various test locations. - Establish and uphold standards, templates, and playbooks for test requests, procedures, instrumentation, data quality, and reporting, promoting their use across the testing team. - Recognize shortcomings in existing capabilities (rig hardware, control systems, measurement chains, data workflows) and spearhead initiatives to bridge these gaps through new rigs, upgrades, or procedural adjustments. - Design and lead the development of sophisticated test systems (multi-axis drivetrain rigs, shaker + thermal + humidity combinations, custom HIL or RTCS setups), collaborating with controls, software, facilities, and safety teams. - Define technical specifications for testbed hardware and software (dynos, gearboxes, power electronics, DAQ, safety interlocks, automation scripts), ensuring they are verified, documented, and maintainable. - Act as the technical authority for selected high-value rigs or testing areas, responsible for operational uptime, data fidelity, and future test suitability. - Create and assess automation and data-processing strategies (test scripts, health checks, dashboards, KPIs) to enhance repeatability, coverage, and engineer productivity. - Guide test planning for complex or inaugural campaigns, detailing sequence designs, boundary conditions, instrumentation plans, and risk assessments. - Provide hands-on technical support for crucial tests, including bring-up, debugging, fault triage, and model correlation or vehicle behavior. - Review and synthesize system-level test results, offering clear engineering conclusions, trade-offs, and recommendations to design, attributes, and program teams. - Promote data quality and traceability, ensuring that test setups, calibrations, and deviations are documented for reliable future analysis. - Serve as the primary technical liaison within your domain, collaborating with Design Engineering, Attributes, Systems, DREs, Controls, Reliability, and Manufacturing partners. - Propel cross-functional problem-solving on significant issues (e.g., durability failures, correlation gaps, NVH or thermal anomalies), ensuring comprehensive root cause analysis, containment, and validated corrective actions. - Communicate test status, risks, and options clearly to executives, transforming intricate technical details into succinct, decision-focused narratives. - Influence future product and testing strategies by linking lab results to design guidelines, validation methods, and test system investments. - Mentor and guide lower-level engineers and lead technicians, exemplifying high standards in technical expertise, documentation quality, safety, and accountability. - Establish benchmarks for test engineering processes: structured problem definition, evidence-based decision-making, disciplined change management, and continuous improvement. - Model safety and quality practices in the lab, ensuring that test methods, rig operations, and work procedures meet or surpass Rivian standards. - Enhance capability through training sessions, best-practice documentation, reviews, and informal mentorship to elevate the skills of the testing organization.