Manager, Cost Engineering

Role Summary

The Manager, Cost Engineering, will play a pivotal role within the Rivian Cost Engineering organization, leading a team of Remote Mexico Cost Engineers. This role will be responsible for recruiting, building, and leading a dedicated team of direct-hire Cost Engineers based remotely in Mexico. In this role, you will serve as both a strategic leader and a subject matter expert, responsible for developing full-vehicle bottom-up cost estimation capabilities and driving engineering change costing. You will act as the critical bridge between US-based engineering/onsite operations and your Mexico-based team, ensuring seamless cross-functional collaboration, technical mentorship, and precise execution across vehicle programs. Combining leadership and hands-on responsibilities, this role requires a strong background in cost engineering, excellent communication skills, and effective team supervisory abilities. This role is based in Irvine, CA and reports to the Senior Manager of Cost Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Project Management
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to interview, hire, and onboard a high-performing team of full-time, direct-hire Cost Engineers based in Mexico.
• Proactively manage task completion and regularly update cross-functional teams on project status, timing, resource allocation, challenges, and the likelihood of on-time, high-quality delivery.
• Define milestones and identify potential risks to ensure timely delivery of cost models within agreed completion dates. Provide seamless coordination and issue resolution between all team members and groups.
• Support the implementation of a comprehensive cost engineering strategic roadmap: develop should-cost models, support tear-down and benchmarking activities, integrate advanced software and tools, and steer cross-functional teams in cost optimization initiatives.
• Supervisory
• Establish robust training programs, standardized methodologies, and best practices to upscale team capabilities in full-vehicle Should-Cost modeling.
• Oversee ground-up cost modeling across major vehicle systems to support sustaining programs and change actions.
• Drive agile, accurate evaluation of engineering change requests (ECRs), providing data-backed cost impact assessments to engineering and supply chain leadership.
• Ensure coordination with global cost engineering management on priorities, support, and execution of cost models.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and support to ensure accurate and timely cost estimates.
• Review and validate cost estimates submitted by team members, ensuring they meet quality standards and align with project goals.
• Cultivate a collaborative and innovative team environment, encourage knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Function as the primary bridge ensuring alignment, clear communication, and seamless workflow integration between remote Mexico employees and US-based onsite engineering/manufacturing teams.
• Cost Engineering
• Provide hands-on deep cost engineering expertise to support the team's costing initiatives.
• Develop should-cost estimates and projections for various automotive vehicle commodities as needed to support the team's timelines.
• Collect details and compile data for the team to estimate all production costs considering raw materials, labor, and tooling for estimations or should-cost models.
• Interface with GSMs and suppliers to ensure the most economical tooling, processing, and operations that contribute to profitable production.
• Assist Rivian Procurement in analyzing and reviewing supplier cost breakdowns to identify cost reduction opportunities through negotiations with suppliers.
• Provide guidance to design engineers for proposed new or modified designs to achieve the required function at minimum or target cost.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Systems, Electrical), Supply Chain, or a related field required.
• 2+ years of team leadership experience preferred.
• 6+ years of relevant experience at an OEM, Tier 1 Manufacturer, Contract Manufacturer, Consumer Electronics, or similar company.
• Proven experience in manufacturing processes to support cost model development of lighting components, electrical motors, connectors, displays, wiring harnesses, PCBA-based electrical components, or semiconductor fabrication.
• Proficiency navigating CAD models in CATIA or similar software.
• Ability to interpret and understand design and manufacturing drawings.
• Practical knowledge of Value Analysis/Value Engineering techniques and strong understanding of financial principles.
• Detail-oriented, flexible, and resilient entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to thrive in a start-up environment.
• Strategic thinker with excellent communication and collaboration skills and a proven ability to add value to meetings and briefings.
• Spanish language proficiency is preferred.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $137,800 - $172,200 for Irvine, California based applicants. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.

Benefits

• Comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26.
• Paid vacation and paid sick leave.
• Competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees.
• Opportunity to participate in Rivian's 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program 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.