Staff Engineers Automation Controls

Rivian - Normal, IL

Full-time

Normal, IL

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Staff Engineer for Automation Controls at Rivian Automotive is responsible for leading engineering efforts in equipment and systems planning, performance tracking, and providing solutions to enhance quality and reduce downtime. This role involves drafting designs for new equipment, coordinating projects from supplier selection to installation, and ensuring safety and efficiency in operations. The engineer will also focus on continuous improvement activities and maintain documentation for production processes.

Responsibilities

• Act as team lead in the absence of the direct supervisor.
• Perform equipment and systems planning based on demand and forecast.
• Track equipment performance and provide engineering solutions to reduce downtime and improve quality.
• Prepare formal reports to communicate equipment capability, status, improvements, and future planning.
• Draft designs for new or improved equipment and tooling related to new models and process improvements.
• Coordinate projects from supplier selection and capital approval through installation with Maintenance Engineering and Maintenance teams.
• Write standardized processes for operation and recovery of equipment.
• Develop processes maintaining integrity with respect to safety, quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Work on continuous improvement activities and track results.
• Create build time analysis of automation and maintain production process documentation.
• Ensure optimal conditions of equipment and associated processes.
• Evaluate concession activity for compatibility and approval.
• Address quality issues defined by the RC process.
• Maintain PFMEA for equipment and increase efficiency/utilization through monthly station planning.
• Prioritize safety within all changes and planning.
• Establish backup plans for temporary nonfunctioning equipment.
• Purchase equipment and tooling needed for equipment backup and coordinate with maintenance for installation.
• Provide documentation for safe and proper procedures required for manual backup.
• Monitor the condition of production equipment lift assists, pallet, and carrier features that interact with assemblers.
• Establish robust PM plans with maintenance backed by data to prevent downtime.
• Confirm error proofing is present on all new installations and manual backup processes.
• Identify special process characteristics and their required control limits, perform, maintain, and develop countermeasures for potential failure mode and effects analysis.
• Develop the content of TPM inspections to assist in the control process and monitor/audit.
• Investigate equipment process and product issues and develop effective countermeasures as needed to avoid downtime.
• Work with design and systems engineers to minimize quality issues and maximize equipment capabilities.
• Perform daily monitoring of performance and equipment efficiencies to support continuous improvement.
• Provide technical support on equipment, including alignment, calibration, and automation robotic systems after handoff to Operations and Maintenance.
• Maintain drawings and technical documentation for changes to existing and new equipment.
• Coordinate with maintenance to determine spare parts requirements and procurement.

Requirements

• Masters degree or foreign equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field and 2 years of experience in manufacturing engineering; or a Bachelors degree or foreign equivalent in the same fields and 5 years of experience.
• Experience using CATIA, Solid Works, Creo, and/or other 3D modeling software.
• Experience performing time studies using MTM or MODAPTS.
• Experience working with Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma, and Lean Assembly Principles.
• Experience troubleshooting robot issues and vision systems.