Lighting Technical Program Manager

As Lighting Systems Technical Project Manager, you will be an integral part of the Lighting team supporting the seamless delivery and integration of the Exterior and Interior lighting components on to the Rivian programs with the support of the project engineers.  

You with your support team will be responsible for lighting system of the vehicle and will co-ordinate and manage issues to resolution during the preproduction build phases to ensure a smooth launch of the product into the market on time to the defined cost targets. In some cases where issues are identified late in the program, you will ensure these are tracked and recoded through our Rivian internal systems and ensure traceability of resolution as well as co-ordinate re-work post process activity with the relevant cross functional teams, such as Manufacturing and Service teams to ensure any countermeasures are implemented correctly into vehicles built and delivered.  

Responsibilities

• Work within a matrix organization to ensure delivery of the vehicle lighting system through the complete Rivian Development Process 
• Ensure program imperatives (piece cost, tooling, ED&D, mass etc.) are cascaded, communicated, reported, and achieved at every stage of the project.
• Ensure the Lighting Engineering team are delivering to the vehicle specification book, features & options list and specifications.
• Champion simultaneous engineering across the business, ensuring all stakeholders are involved in timely decision making to support on-time engineering releases.
• Lead the coordination of Studio & surfacing inputs into the Lighting team Engineering release process. 
• Create and maintain the overall Engineering schedule including, but not limited to, supplier sourcing, surface release timing, engineering release, tooling lead times, part quality maturation lead times
• Work closely with internal stakeholders and outsourced engineering resource providers to identify all cross functional interdependencies and ensure on-time project delivery, establishing and implementing recovery plans as needed.
• Lead the development and implementation of plans to ensure on-time delivery of parts to Mule, Lab car and pre-production builds, establishing and implementing recovery plans as needed.
• Lead cross-functional issue resolution on-site at launch locations.  
• Ensure the lighting team works to a common standard & template for the development of all technical specifications, DVP&Rs and DFMEAs 
• Facilitate training of new employees in processes such as the Rivian Design Process, DFMEAs & DVP&Rs 
• Coordinate the generation & development of Rivian Design Standards 
• Exhibit “Rivian Compass” in everything you do.  
• Diagnose issues using Vector tools in plant if issues arise and co-ordinate quick fixes for issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent technical degree 
• 5+ years’ experience in automotive product development or project management
• Detailed knowledge of the automotive design and development process, system requirements, and general engineering best practices  
• Knowledge of the vehicle lighting system & technologies used to deliver lighting content will be advantageous
• A system-based approach to design and development with the desire and curiosity to strive for continuous improvement  
• A demonstrated ability to solve problems using a first-principal approach    
• An eagerness to work cross-functionally in a dynamic environment  
• First-class communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively across multiple sites & time zones   
• Comfortable presenting detailed information to a wide range of audiences  
• Excellent time management skills 
• The ability to deliver multiple concurrent projects with differing timelines  
• Excellent commercial and financial awareness  
• Microsoft Office suite proficiency  
• Flexibility to travel to launch locations for extended periods as necessary
• Previous people leader experience advantageous but not required
• Experience is using CANoe, CAN based tools for Diagnostics
• Knowledge of Optics, Electronics, and lighting.
• Ability to understand Hardware (HW) configurations and Software SW within a modern lighting system
• Understanding of Interfaces adjacent to lighting and surrounding components.