Manager, Cost Engineering

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.

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.

• 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.