Sr. Simulation Engineer, Material Flow

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.

The Factory Design & Simulation team is at the core of Rivian's mission to redefine the future of automotive manufacturing. By turning industrial strategy into optimized value streams we enable production of market-leading EVs at scale. As part of Digital Manufacturing Engineering & Automation we create standardized tools and processes for throughput and material flow simulations. By understanding high-level factory goals and collaborating with teams designing individual systems, our team ensures the holistic factory design meets Rivian's ambitious objectives.

Rivian is actively searching for a driven Simulation Engineer specializing in discrete event simulation to architect material flow systems for future projects. This position will closely collaborate with our Material Flow Team to achieve end-to-end design of material flow systems, from the initial concept phase to the final handoff of a detailed plan to the operations team.

This position requires a comprehensive grasp of Material Flow principles, complemented by a strong proficiency in simulation modeling. We seek candidates who solve complex problems using a first-principles approach and possess an intrinsic drive for design optimization. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, contributing to an agile, highly motivated team. You should be meticulous, analytical, and collaborative, with the ability to think at a systems level about ambiguous challenges and apply logical reasoning to build models that guide optimal factory design outcomes.

Join us in our mission to Keep the World Adventurous Forever.

This position is located at our Normal, IL or Stanton Springs North, GA, facilities and relocation is mandatory. The role will report directly to a Manager, Manufacturing Engineering.

• Construct comprehensive, end-to-end material flow simulation models covering the complete Bill of Materials for upcoming products and factory expansions, with a focus on optimizing key variables like facility footprint, labor efficiency, and overall throughput.
• Engineer and deploy custom modules, objects, and tailored FlexScript, Simtalk solutions to create sophisticated simulations for intricate material flow challenges.
• Execute capacity planning analyses to guarantee precise resource and equipment allocation for the engineered system, including material handling staff, warehouse capacity, and MHE.
• Critically evaluate the assumptions underlying current manufacturing designs and base your design recommendations on a first-principles methodology.
• Work together with cross-functional partners in layout design, production control, infrastructure, and manufacturing design to ensure the proper material flow strategies are executed and to assess solutions for complex comparison scenarios.
• Develop and sustain digital twin models to effectively test and validate the designs of factory operations, warehouses, and material flow systems.
• Recommend improvements in dock capacity, route planning, storage capacity, lot quantity and kitting design.
• Co-develop standards for discrete event simulation models

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering, or Computer Science
• 5+ years of experience in industrial or manufacturing engineering, with focus on applying discrete event simulation to enhance material flow, supply chain logistics, or process efficiency.
• Familiarity with creating new features and modules within discrete event simulation platforms using FlexScript, Simtalk, C++, and/or Python.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills and ability to manage several projects at the same time in a highly variable and uncertain environment
• A track record of quantitatively resolving ambiguous, systems-level problems.
• Effective written and verbal communication at all organizational level
• A positive attitude paired with strong work ethics aligned to Rivian's mission and compass values

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets and data visualization/analysis tools like Tableau or SQL.
• Experience working with layout designs in AutoCAD

Salary range for IL based applicants: $98,500-$123,000 (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 premium

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.

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.