Technician, Continuous Improvement (1st Shift) at Rivian in Normal, IL

Role Summary

The Continuous Improvement Technician supports production operations by identifying and executing improvements to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and sustainability. The role performs hands-on fabrication and material handling improvements, implements lean methods, and partners with Operations, Engineering, and Production Control to enable efficient manufacturing processes. Strong mechanical aptitude, structured problem‑solving, and collaboration across teams are essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform fabrication, assembly, and installation of fixtures, carts, racking, workstations, and line‑side equipment.
• Support initiatives addressing safety, ergonomics, material flow, and process improvement opportunities.
• Conduct routine checks and preventative maintenance on CI‑owned tools and material‑handling devices.
• Assist with standard work creation, layout drawings, labeling, workplace organization, and visual management systems.
• Participate in structured problem‑solving (5‑Why, A3) and root‑cause analysis activities.
• Support coordination of material flow improvements with Production Control and warehouse operations.
• Install and maintain overhead and ground‑level signage and workstation identification aids.
• Safely operate tuggers, forklifts, aerial lifts, pallet jacks, or other equipment once certified.
• Maintain a clean, organized work environment in accordance with 5S principles.
• Communicate status updates clearly with CI leadership and cross‑functional partners.
• Perform other duties as required to support operational success.

Qualifications

To be considered for this position, all internal candidates must submit an updated resume highlighting their relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Applications submitted without an updated resume will not be considered. Please ensure that your resume accurately reflects your qualifications for this role.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Demonstrated proficiency with basic hand and power tools.
• Experience in a manufacturing, maintenance, or material‑handling environment.
• Ability to read and follow work instructions, safety procedures, and basic diagrams.
• Ability to work 8–12-hour shifts (1st and 2nd shift) and perform physical work, including standing, lifting (25+ lbs), bending, and working in hot/cold conditions.
• Must be eligible and able to be certified to drive Rivian‑owned fleet vehicles and mobile equipment (e.g., pickup trucks, tuggers, forklifts, scissor lifts, and EDVs).
• Willingness to support production shutdowns and work in elevated environments when required.

Preferred:

• Experience with fabrication, welding, machining, or mechanical repair.
• Exposure to CI/Lean tools such as 5S, Kaizen, root‑cause analysis, and standard work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook; AutoCAD experience is a plus.

Training Requirements (Completed during role)

• Continuous Improvement: Basic Lean Tools (E‑Learning).
• Hand and Power Tool Safety.
• Fall Protection Awareness.
• Tugger, Forklift, and Scissor Lift Certification.
• Machine Shop Safety and Machine Guarding.
• Rivian Fleet Vehicle Safety Training.

Performance Expectations

• Complete tasks safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Maintain a clean and organized workspace.
• Demonstrate measurable progression in CI skill development.
• Participate in improvement meetings, team huddles, and project debrief

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $26.00 per hour 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. 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 October 23rd, 2026.