Senior Manager, Sustaining Engineering – Operations Technical Program Management

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

. Build and lead the ECU sustaining engineering and operations team across Zonal, Battery, Infotainment, Connectivity, and vehicle access ECUs .

Posted 9/24/2026full-timePalo Alto • California • United StatesSenior💰 $213,000 - $266,300 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in Electronics Hardware Sustaining Engineering and Quality Management, with a strong focus on Failure Analysis and Technical Program Management. Proven ability to lead teams, manage contract manufacturers, and implement structured problem-solving methodologies in the automotive and consumer electronics industries.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Electronics Hardware Sustaining EngineeringFailure Analysis ProcessesPeople LeadershipISO 26262 Functional SafetyContract Manufacturing Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Failure AnalysisRMA ProcessesPCBA DesignStructured Problem-SolvingComponent EngineeringEOL ManagementData-Driven Decision MakingChange ManagementProcess DefinitionTooling and Resource Planning

Soft Skills

Analytical SkillsCommunication SkillsMentoringTeam Leadership

Tools & Technologies

Atlassian ApplicationsJiraConfluence

Industry Keywords

Automotive IndustryAerospace IndustryConsumer ElectronicsIATF 16949PPAPDeviations ManagementBuild-to-Print Model

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build and lead the ECU sustaining engineering and operations team across Zonal, Battery, Infotainment, Connectivity, and vehicle access ECUs
Develop and implement plant/field triage processes across brand partners
Define and scale the sustaining operating model, including process definition, tooling, and resource planning
Own engineering service providers and contract manufacturing partners delivering post-ramp design, validation, qualification, and failure analysis
Define statements of work, deliverables, capacity, and spend, and hold partners accountable to quality and schedule
Drive uninterrupted supply from build readiness through mass production through capacity and ramp planning, shortage/EOL/single-source risk mitigation, and design refresh and ECO decisions
Own RMA and change-management systems and drive root cause to closure
Own ECU portfolio engineering change control, including ECO, ECR, deviation workflows, review boards, document control, and configuration traceability
Lead escalations with contract manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers, including containment, rework, deviation decisions, corrective action verification, and executive escalation
Serve as the sustaining interface to Design Engineering, Quality, Service, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Brand program teams
Establish and report sustaining KPIs including field PPM, RMA volume and forecast, failure analysis throughput, NTF rate, change cycle time, and cost of poor quality
Convert field and plant learnings into design, test, process, supplier, and upstream NPI improvements

Requirements

What you’ll need

12+ years of experience in electronics hardware sustaining engineering, hardware quality, failure analysis, or technical program management in the automotive, aerospace, or consumer electronics industry
5+ years of direct people leadership, including hiring, mentoring, and developing engineers and program managers
BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field
Demonstrated ownership of field return, RMA, and failure analysis processes for high-volume electronic assemblies
Experience with structured problem-solving methods such as 8D, 5-Why, and FMEA
Working knowledge of PCBA design and manufacturing processes, including SMT, press-fit and connector processes, conformal coating, potting, and fastening and torque control
Experience working with contract manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers in a build-to-print model, including onsite quality escalation, containment, rework, and corrective action verification
Experience with component engineering, obsolescence and EOL management, second-source and alternate material qualification, and PCN/PDN disposition
Familiarity with ISO 26262 functional safety concepts for ASIL-rated hardware and IATF 16949 change control practices, including PPAP and deviation management
Experience managing outsourced engineering partners or staff augmentation vendors under a statement of work, including scope definition, deliverable acceptance, and budget control
Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities; comfort working with measurement and test data, capability metrics, and program dashboards
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to escalate clearly to executive audiences and translate technical detail for non-engineering stakeholders
Experience with Atlassian-based applications, including Jira and Confluence
Ability to travel domestically and internationally to contract manufacturer, supplier, and vehicle program locations as needed
Eagerness to explore AI-driven solutions across communication, reporting, visualizations, and analysis

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual company performance bonus program; annual bonus target of 20%
Equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Health coverage
Retirement savings
Time off
Family planning programs
Hybrid work arrangement