Senior Manager, Quality Management Systems

About Us Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world. The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone. Role Summary As the QMS Manager at the Rivian-VW Joint Venture, you will be the strategic lead and governance authority of our quality management system. This is a high-impact leadership role that requires a "player-coach" mentality that requires rolling up your sleeves. We aren’t just building cars; we are building the future of automotive software. Your goal is to design and implement a lean, agile, and fully compliant QMS that meets ISO 9001 standards while supporting rapid software deployment and hardware integration. You will bridge the gap between "Silicon Valley Speed" and "Automotive Rigor" to enabling excellence at scale. This role is located with a flex working schedule in our Palo Alto, CA office. Responsibilities Agile QMS Design: Develop and maintain a digital-first QMS that satisfies ISO 9001 without stifling innovation and speed. You will move away from static manuals toward dynamic, automated process flows. Cross-Organizational Alignment: Harmonize the quality standards of two automotive giants. You will ensure that the JV’s processes are compatible with both Rivian’s and VW’s ecosystems. Software Quality Integration: Collaborate with DevOps and Engineering to integrate CSMS (ISO/SAE 21434) and Functional Safety (ISO 26262) requirements into the core QMS framework, ensuring end-to-end traceability, robust release quality, and data-driven quality metrics across the development lifecycle. Internal Audit & Feedback Loops: Lead internal audits that focus on value-add, not just compliance. Use data-driven insights to identify bottlenecks in the development lifecycle. External Certification: Lead the company through its initial and subsequent ISO 9001 certifications, acting as the primary point of contact for external registrars. Change Management: Champion a "Quality-by-Design” mindset across the organization, ensuring that every engineer understands their role in the quality ecosystem. Qualifications Experience: 8+ years in Quality Management, with at least 3 years in a high-growth tech environment or a modern automotive player (EV/Autonomous Driving). The "Hybrid" Mindset: You understand the strictness of ISO 9001 but are fluent in agile methodologies and CI/CD pipelines. Technical Literacy: You can talk to software developers about "Definition of Done" just as easily as you talk to auditors about "Corrective Actions." Education: B.S. in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. Professional certifications (Six Sigma, Lead Auditor) are a plus. Communication: Exceptional ability to simplify complex regulatory requirements for a creative, fast-moving audience. Pay Disclosure Salary Range for Palo Alto applicants: $140,400 - $186,030 USD. The posted salary represents the lowest and highest ranges RV Tech reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position. Any posted salary range pertains only to the estimated starting pay for the role. Actual starting pay is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, skillset, qualifications, specific competencies, relevant education, and location. Total Rewards Total compensation packages for this position include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity. In addition, our benefits package has been designed to support the health and wellness of our employees. Benefit offerings include Flex Time Off, retirement savings plans as well as medical, vision and dental coverage. For more information on RV Tech’s comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, check out our Global Benefits Site. External candidates can apply for this role through the RV Tech Careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board (https://internal-careers-rivian.icims.com/). Equal Opportunity Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. 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. We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws regarding citizenship and immigration status. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies 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 [email protected]. Candidate Data Privacy Rivian and VW Group Technologies (“Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies”) may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions. Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information. Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.