Regional Manager, Autonomy Systems Validation

About Rivian 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.

Summary As our Autonomy Systems Validation team continues to scale, we are seeking an experienced Regional Manager, Autonomy Systems Validation to oversee operations across multiple testing locations. In this role, you will be responsible for leading, mentoring, and managing a team of Operations Coordinators who oversee our day-to-day vehicle testing, data collection, and hardware/software integration. You will bridge the gap between regional site operations and senior engineering leadership, ensuring that safety protocols are strictly enforced, operational KPIs are met, and testing procedures are standardized across all regional locations. This role requires a strategic leader with strong operational experience in fast-paced, high-tech environments.

Directly manage, mentor, and evaluate multiple Operations Coordinators across the region, fostering a positive, professional, and high-performing work environment. Ensure Operations Coordinators effectively manage vehicle operators, resolve localized conflicts, and maintain high safety and performance standards. Oversee and standardize regional training and onboarding programs developed by Operations Coordinators. Standardize and implement operational processes, testing procedures, and safety work instructions across all regional sites. Aggregate regional operational data to set, monitor, and analyze key performance indicators. Develop, manage, and present high-level operational reports and dashboards to senior leadership and engineering teams. Optimize regional resource allocation, ensuring efficient vehicle and personnel scheduling across multiple sites. Serve as the primary regional point of contact collaborating with hardware and software engineering teams to achieve strategic testing goals. Ensure regional compliance regarding vehicle inspections, initial software/hardware troubleshooting, and the secure transfer of drive data from vehicles to the cloud. Oversee the regional readiness of essential tools, equipment, and testing assets. Ensure Operations Coordinators effectively manage vehicle operator teams who safely operate prototype test vehicles in autonomous, semi-autonomous, and manual modes across diverse weather, traffic, and road conditions. Oversee site-level leadership to guarantee operators maintain constant vigilance, execute safety protocols, and seamlessly perform manual interventions or disengagements when necessary. Audit and guide Operations Coordinators to ensure operators precisely execute pre-defined test cases, edge-case evaluations, and specialized scenarios on both public roads and closed-course facilities.

Must be able to travel frequently to various regional testing sites as needed. Proven experience in a regional, multi-site, or high-level supervisory role, preferably within professional automotive driving, fleet management, or autonomous vehicle testing. Ability to manage and develop supervisory-level employees. Experience collaborating with external staffing agencies and managing high-volume contract workforces, including a proven track record of projecting and scaling driver headcount across multiple locations. Strong proficiency in using data analytics, Google tools (Docs, Sheets, Maps), and dashboards to drive operational decisions. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to create complex regional updates into concise reports. Self-motivated, highly organized, and capable