The Materials Welding Technician will support the Materials Engineering team by increasing validation throughput for welding and joining work, with a primary focus on coupon preparation, cut-and-etch, metallographic sample prep, weld performance validation testing, and weldability DOE execution for steel and light-metal applications. This role is intended to support engineers and SDEs working on welding specifications, production joints, supplier quality, and durability-critical validation activities across current and future Rivian programs. This position will be joining-focused, with the core scope centered on steels and light metals, while also providing secondary support to adjacent lab activities such as corrosion and reliability testing as required by program priorities.
- Execute welding validation activities for development and production-related programs, including coupon builds, welding trials, welding schedule evaluations, and structured DOE support for steels and light metals.
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Prepare and evaluate welded samples through sectioning, mounting, polishing, cut-and-etch, macro/micro review, and related lab characterization methods to assess weld quality and joint performance.
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Partner with Materials Engineers, Welding Engineers, and Supplier Development Engineers to generate data needed for weld specifications, production joint validation, and supplier issue resolution.
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Maintain accurate records of test setups, welding parameters, sample traceability, weld inspections and characterization, and results to support engineering decisions and formal reporting.
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Help prepare samples and fixtures for mechanical, metallographic, corrosion, and reliability-related lab work as needed to support broader Materials Engineering priorities.
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Support lab organization, equipment upkeep, consumables management, and safe operating practices for welding and materials characterization activities.
Contribute to continuous improvement of test methods, lab workflows, and validation turnaround time.
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- Associate's degree in mechanical, materials and welding technology with 5 years of hands-on experience in welding technology, materials testing, or a related field.
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Hands-on experience with welding validation or fabrication support in an engineering, manufacturing, supplier, or laboratory environment.
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Experience in preparing and evaluating weld samples, including sectioning, polishing, etching, and dimensional or visual assessment of weld quality.
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Working knowledge of common joining processes used for sheet or structural metallic assemblies, especially resistance spot welding, broader familiarity with GMAW, laser welding, or other joining methods is a plus.
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Ability to execute test plans with good discipline, maintain traceable records, and communicate clear observations to engineers and technicians.
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Comfortable working in a hands-on lab setting with fixtures, saws, polishers, microscopes, and related test equipment.
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Strong attention to detail, organization, and safety.
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Willingness to learn new techniques, processes, and test methods as the team grows
Preferred qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Welding, or Materials Engineering or 8 years of industry experience
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Experience supporting weld development for automotive steel and aluminum applications.
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Familiarity with metallography, weld cross-sections, button size evaluation, peel/chisel checks, or mechanical test sample preparation.
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Advanced metallographic preparation and imaging such as cross-polarization color etching, dissimilar metals multi-process etching, electrolytic etching, and submicron surface preparation
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Experience in a broader range of materials characterization techniques, such as optical microscopy, hardness test, tensile test etc.
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Exposure to corrosion or durability-related lab testing.
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Experience in working with supplier validation samples, engineering DOEs, or launch-related issue resolution.
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Familiarity with welding standards, weld acceptance criteria, or structured lab documentation workflows.
