Sr. Controls Engineer - Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

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. Role Summary The Controls Engineer is the production line expert for controls and automation systems at our facility in Normal, IL. This role combines heavy PLC programming with the strategic optimization of AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) systems to ensure the facility's "Method" (logic) and "Machine" (fleet) work in perfect synchronization. The team troubleshoots technical issues during production and designs upgrades for areas including Paint, Body, Battery, and General Assembly. This role reports directly to the Manager, AGV Maintenance and Repair. Responsibilities Participate in various controls equipment buy-offs at vendor sites and at Rivian’s factory in Normal, IL for FAT, SAT, and safety. Participate in development of controls standards and specifications by feeding back lessons-learned and gaps from each project. Architect the handshake between the AGVs and the FLP/SAP systems to automate replenishment triggers. Continuously improve production lines and fleet battery cycles by reducing cycle time, reducing downtime, and improving quality. Develop and maintain traffic control logic to prevent "deadlocks" and optimize system cycle time in alignment with Line Takt. Lead the ISO 3691-4 validation process, ensuring all safety fields, laser scanner zones, and emergency circuits meet performance levels (PLd/e) Design the communication protocols (PLC-to-PLC) between AGVs and lineside equipment like GFRs, lifts, and elevators. Act as the Level 2 escalation point for AGV Technicians when a system-wide logic error or network dropout occurs. Develop technical SOPs for the First Responders and define the "Recovery Method" for manual overrides in the Red Zone. Maintain, modify, and version control equipment programs and "Master Config" files for the fleet, ensuring hardware, PLC, HMI, Robot, and SCADA updates are deployed without disruption. Add or remove network devices from the equipment as needed, updating network switch configurations as needed. Troubleshoot, improve, and add features to PLCs using Ladder Logic and/or Structured Text with an emphasis on code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable and reusable. Qualifications 3-5 years of Controls Engineering experience or equivalent work experience. BS/MS Electrical Engineering or equivalent work experience. Expertise with common controls hardware components used in high-volume manufacturing. Hands-on experience integrating and commissioning high volume manufacturing equipment. Solid understanding of Wi-Fi 6, 5G private networks, and PROFINET/EtherNet/IP protocols. Experience with high-level managers (e.g., Daifuku, JBT, Dematic, or custom Python-based fleet controllers). In-depth knowledge of Safety standards (ANSI/RIA15.06, OSHA) and industrial networking (Wi-Fi 6, 5G private networks). Certified knowledge of ISO 3691-4 and ISO 13849 (Safety of Machinery). Experience participating in safety design reviews and validating equipment safeties during buy-off. In-depth knowledge of Electrical Standards (NFPA79, National Electric Code, UL508A). Experience developing electrical schematics using EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical, or similar. Experience writing standard and safety PLC projects from scratch for high-volume manufacturing equipment using Rockwell, Siemens, or Beckhoff PLCs. Experience creating HMI projects from scratch for high-volume manufacturing equipment using FactoryTalk View, WinCC, Ignition, Wonderware, TwinCAT HMI, or similar. Experience programming and troubleshooting industrial 6-axis robots such as Fanuc, ABB, Kawasaki, etc. is preferred. Pay Disclosure The salary range for this role is $125,800 - $157,200 for Illinois based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the 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. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com. You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than August 20th 2026. Equal Opportunity Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com. 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How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process: To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role. AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate. Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. 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