Design Release Engineer Interview Experience - Irvine, California
September 1, 2019
Positive ExperienceNo Offer
Process
The interview process involved two phone interviews, followed by an on-site "Power Day" interview.
An initial email confirmed a phone interview. This was followed by a 15-minute call with HR, and then a 40-minute phone interview with the Hiring Manager.
Subsequently, I was invited to Rivian for the "Power Day" interview, which lasted from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM and included lunch.
The "Power Day" consisted of:
- A 30-minute tour of the facility.
- Interviews with the Manufacturing Team, Release Team, Program Management Team, Technical Team, and Purchasing Team.
- Lunch with two team members.
I received feedback a week later that I had passed.
Questions
Ohm's Law. Joules Law. Questions on previous work experiences. In-depth technical questions. Questions about DRE process and knowledge of test methods / what parameters you use to create a test plan?
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 2 interview experiences for the Rivian Design Release Engineer role in Irvine, California.
Success Rate
0%
Pass Rate
Rivian's interview process for their Design Release Engineer roles in Irvine, California is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive50%
Neutral0%
Negative50%
Candidates reported having mixed feelings for Rivian's Design Release Engineer interview process in Irvine, California.
Rivian Work Experiences
2.0
Great People, Terrible Strategic Decision. There is a JIRA Project for everything
Design Release Engineer • Current Employee
Irvine, California, United States
March 26, 2024
Pros: The great thing about Rivian is that you are able to collaborate with great talent and make good connections.
Compensation is good (Base salary, bonus, stock based on company's performance).
I was within the first 5000 people when I started at Rivian. At that time, it was the best culture I had ever experienced. The main values were intact (compass values), but it deteriorated with time, and those values were not important in the company anymore.
Cons: There are many redundant processes. There is a JIRA project for every workstream in the company, which created a really bureaucratic environment. The release process was incredibly complex and lengthy. There were more checkers than enablers. Some teams feel entitled to things outside of their umbrella of responsibilities, and they only hold up and delay the processes (i.e., NPI, Manufacturing). The worst part is that this was escalated multiple times to upper management, and they recognized it was a problem but did not do anything.
Terrible management decisions. Too many resources were wasted due to the cancellation of multiple programs (millions of dollars). I counted at least 6.
The company leaders are not aligned with the priorities of the company, even the top head. A key top priority was cost reduction, and there were multiple product decisions taken picking the most expensive solution. The product plan and content complexity is the most complicated I have ever seen in my entire career, with no pragmatism or common sense.
In manufacturing, the plan is a disaster. No control or process is followed. Nobody follows work instructions, control plans, PFMEAs, etc.
There are useless layers of people in the Vehicle Program Team whose only function is to track a workstream and do not add any value.
Moving targets, unrealistic objectives, ridiculous timings.... uff, and so much more...
5.0
Latest Tech, Team, Bad Balance
Design Release Engineer • Former Employee
Irvine, California, United States
October 25, 2022
Pros: Latest technology, good team members, healthy atmosphere.
Cons: Work-life balance, travel, too many levels.
4.0
Good Pay, Slow Decisions
Design Release Engineer • Current Employee
Irvine, California, United States
December 2, 2024
Pros: Good pay, work-life balance.
Cons: Somewhat slow/stagnant decision-making.
- 2.0Great People, Terrible Strategic Decision. There is a JIRA Project for everythingDesign Release Engineer • Current EmployeeIrvine, California, United StatesMarch 26, 2024Pros: The great thing about Rivian is that you are able to collaborate with great talent and make good connections. Compensation is good (Base salary, bonus, stock based on company's performance). I was within the first 5000 people when I started at Rivian. At that time, it was the best culture I had ever experienced. The main values were intact (compass values), but it deteriorated with time, and those values were not important in the company anymore.Cons: There are many redundant processes. There is a JIRA project for every workstream in the company, which created a really bureaucratic environment. The release process was incredibly complex and lengthy. There were more checkers than enablers. Some teams feel entitled to things outside of their umbrella of responsibilities, and they only hold up and delay the processes (i.e., NPI, Manufacturing). The worst part is that this was escalated multiple times to upper management, and they recognized it was a problem but did not do anything. Terrible management decisions. Too many resources were wasted due to the cancellation of multiple programs (millions of dollars). I counted at least 6. The company leaders are not aligned with the priorities of the company, even the top head. A key top priority was cost reduction, and there were multiple product decisions taken picking the most expensive solution. The product plan and content complexity is the most complicated I have ever seen in my entire career, with no pragmatism or common sense. In manufacturing, the plan is a disaster. No control or process is followed. Nobody follows work instructions, control plans, PFMEAs, etc. There are useless layers of people in the Vehicle Program Team whose only function is to track a workstream and do not add any value. Moving targets, unrealistic objectives, ridiculous timings.... uff, and so much more...
- 5.0Latest Tech, Team, Bad BalanceDesign Release Engineer • Former EmployeeIrvine, California, United StatesOctober 25, 2022Pros: Latest technology, good team members, healthy atmosphere.Cons: Work-life balance, travel, too many levels.
- 4.0Good Pay, Slow DecisionsDesign Release Engineer • Current EmployeeIrvine, California, United StatesDecember 2, 2024Pros: Good pay, work-life balance.Cons: Somewhat slow/stagnant decision-making.
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