Lead Technical Program Manager, Containment Operations

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.

About the role

The Lead Technical Program Manager, Containment Operations serves as the technical eyes and ears of containment execution, ensuring proposed containment strategies are practical, complete, and executable in the field. This role partners closely with Service Engineering, Containment Operations, and issue owners to evaluate containment plans, identify risks and gaps, and elevate concerns when service strategies may not fully support successful execution. This individual will bring deep technical expertise and strong operational understanding of Service Center and Field Service Action workflows to ensure frontline teams have the tools, procedures, and support required to execute containment actions effectively. The role also helps shape containment execution strategy by assessing repair feasibility, resource needs, and optimal repair location across factory yard and Service Center environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all containment activities, including timelines, strategies, progress and needed decisions for each containment event.
• Support analysis and development of containment execution strategy, including assessment of repair location, labor, tooling, and resource requirements to determine the best path forward.
• Support the creation, development, and documentation of repair procedures related to pre-delivery containments.
• Analyze trending quality issues to determine appropriate actions, including initiating containments or updating RIDE Quest.
• Provide technical guidance and support for Engineering Investigations as needed.
• Partner with Service Engineering, Containment Operations, and issue owners to develop, refine, and present containment strategies to leadership.
• Serve as the voice of Containment Operations by acting as the technical liaison across cross-functional teams.
• Identify risks, gaps, and execution concerns within proposed containment repair procedures and service strategies.
• Evaluate containment proposals to ensure execution plans are technically sound and operationally realistic for teams in the field.
• Identify opportunities to reduce repair time, lower complexity, and improve overall service strategy efficiency for containment execution.
• Provide recommendations on where contaminants should be executed through a combination of both based on execution feasibility and business impact.
• Provide recommendations on whether containment repairs should be completed in factory yard locations, Service Centers, or through a combination of both based on execution feasibility and business impact.
• Help ensure Service Center teams have the documentation, technical direction, and operational readiness needed to successfully execute containment actions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of experience in automotive service engineering, engineering, quality or related technical roles.
• Prior hands-on technical experience is required; previous service technician experience is preferred.
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to assess repair feasibility, procedure quality, and field execution risk.
• Demonstrated experience working cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Service Engineering teams.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to influence and align stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Ability to translate complex technical details into clear, actionable information for non-technical program managers and operational teams.
• Strong understanding of Service Center operations and field execution requirements.
• Experience coordinating the launch and execution of Field Service Actions.
• Experience identifying process gaps and driving practical improvements in repair strategy and operational execution.
• Ability to stand or sit for 8–12 hours per day.
• Ability to operate effectively in a demanding, fast-paced environment with a high degree of ownership and accountability.

Pay

The salary range for this role is USD 179,000 - 223,700 for Illinois (Non-Chicago Metro) based applicants and USD 179,000 - 223,700 for Michigan based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.