Job Summary

The Sr. Platform Engineer at Rivian is a high-impact technical role focused on building the “Internal Developer Platform” (IDP) that powers the digital backbone of their electric adventure vehicles. Based in Vancouver, BC, you will be an “Enabler of Flow,” responsible for ensuring that code moves from a developer’s laptop to production with zero friction. This role requires the “wit” to architect complex GitOps workflows using ArgoCD and the “grit” to maintain enterprise-grade GitLab and Kubernetes environments in a rapidly scaling, mission-driven company.

Job Details

Employer: Rivian (Electric Vehicle Manufacturer).
Location: Vancouver, BC.
Salary Range: $108,200 – $135,300 CAD (plus annual bonus and equity).
Status: Full-time.
Core Tech Stack: GitLab CI, ArgoCD, Kubernetes, Helm, Backstage, Go, and AWS.

Key Responsibilities: The Developer Experience (DevEx) Lifecycle

You are not just managing servers; you are building a product where the “customers” are Rivian’s own software engineers.

CI/CD Pipeline Architecture: Design scalable pipelines using GitLab CI and Docker to package applications consistently across environments.
GitOps Implementation: Use Argo CD and Argo Rollouts to ensure Kubernetes clusters are always synchronized with the “source of truth” in Git.
Internal Portal Development: Contribute to Backstage (an open-source IDP portal) to create “Golden Paths”—standardized templates that allow developers to spin up new services instantly.
Automated Production Readiness: Build tools that automatically check if an app meets security, compliance, and observability standards before it is allowed to deploy.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Utilize Terraform and Crossplane to manage cloud resources on AWS.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

Experience: 3–5 years in DevOps or Platform Engineering supporting large-scale organizations.
Software Engineering Wit: 2–3 years of experience building tools or APIs from scratch using Go, TypeScript, or React.
Technical Mastery: Hands-on expertise with Kubernetes, Helm, and the Argo ecosystem.
The “Service Mindset”: Rivian is looking for “humble and empathetic” engineers who view their role as a customer success function for other developers.

Technical Insights: The “Golden Path” and IDP

Modern Platform Engineering shifts away from “ticket-based” infrastructure toward “self-service” platforms.

Standardization via Helm: You will use Helm charts to define how applications should run, ensuring that every service at Rivian follows the same reliability patterns.
Progressive Delivery: With Argo Rollouts, you will manage “Canary” or “Blue-Green” deployments, allowing the team to test new features on a small percentage of traffic before a full release.
The Backstage Ecosystem: By integrating tools into Backstage, you provide developers with a single “pane of glass” to view their service health, documentation, and deployment status.

Diversity and Statistics in Vancouver Tech (2025-2026)

Rivian’s commitment to diversity is reflected in the broader Vancouver tech landscape.

Representation: In the Vancouver tech sector, approximately 28% of technical roles are held by women, a number that has seen a steady 2% annual increase since 2023. Rivian explicitly encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those under-represented in engineering.
Indigenous Inclusion: Vancouver tech firms have increased their focus on Indigenous representation, with local initiatives aiming to reach 5% representation in the workforce by 2027 to align with provincial demographics.
Industry Growth: The “Green-Tech” and EV sector in BC has seen a 15% increase in venture capital investment over the last year, making Rivian a stable, high-growth employer in the region.

Job Description

Do you believe that the future of adventure must be emissions-free? Rivian is seeking a Sr. Platform Engineer for our Vancouver team. We aren’t looking for a “gatekeeper”; we are looking for a platform architect who has the “grit” to manage a global Kubernetes footprint and the “wit” to build a developer experience that is as smooth as our R1S drive. If you want to build the tools that help protect the outdoors for future generations, you belong here.

In this role, you are a “Flow Specialist.” You understand that a developer’s time is the company’s most valuable asset. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Internal Platforms,” ensuring that our engineering teams can innovate at the speed of thought. We look for “Service-minded” professionals who are curious, courageous, and ready to reframe old problems into new solutions.

Joining Rivian means joining a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. We offer a competitive salary, equity in a world-changing company, and a comprehensive benefits package. If you are a platform engineer with a commitment to “Scalability and Developer Success,” we invite you to apply and help us build the future of electric adventure.

Rivian: Scaling the Adventurous Future

Rivian is an American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer defined by a culture of bold adventure, environmental stewardship, and “human-in-the-loop” innovation. Its mission is to “Keep the World Adventurous Forever,” a goal they pursue by building category-defining vehicles that prove performance and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. The internal environment is mission-driven and fast-paced, characterized by a startup-like agility that values cross-functional collaboration and a shared commitment to “forging the path to a brighter future.”

In 2026, Vancouver serves as a critical strategic anchor for Rivian’s North American software development and service infrastructure:

1. The Vancouver Software Hub

While Rivian’s manufacturing is centered in Illinois, Vancouver is home to a high-density Software Engineering center.

Vehicle Management Systems: This team focuses on developing the apps and digital products that power both consumer (R1T, R1S, R2) and fleet vehicles.
Digital Commerce & Commercial Tech: Engineers in Vancouver are responsible for the platforms that manage the entire customer journey, from vehicle configuration to fleet management software for global partners like Amazon.
Tech Culture: The Vancouver office is known for attracting top-tier talent from the city’s thriving tech sector, fostering a culture of “building the future our kids’ kids’ kids deserve.”

2. Service & Experience Centers

Rivian utilizes a direct-to-consumer model, bypassing traditional dealerships for a more integrated customer experience:

Vancouver Space (Yaletown): Located at 1038 Homer St, this “Space” is an experience center where the public can meet the vehicles, see interior materials, and take complimentary demo drives. It functions as a community hub rather than a sales floor.
Vancouver Service Center (Richmond): Located at 13551 Commerce Pkwy, this facility handles routine maintenance and complex repairs. In 2026, Rivian has significantly expanded this site to accommodate the high concentration of owners in the Lower Mainland.
Mobile Service Fleet: A defining part of the local culture is the Mobile Service program. Rivian has increased its fleet of service vans in BC by 50% through 2026, allowing technicians to perform most repairs at the owner’s home or office.

3. The 2026 “R2” Transition

The year 2026 is a pivotal “inflection point” for Rivian in Vancouver and globally:

The R2 Launch: Much of the local team’s focus is on the rollout of the R2 SUV, a more affordable, mass-market platform (starting around $45,000).
Operational Efficiency: Following several rounds of “right-sizing” in 2025, the 2026 culture is focused on lean execution. The goal is to shift from a luxury niche player to a high-volume mass-market leader.
Public Charging: Vancouver owners benefit from the expanded Rivian Adventure Network, a series of fast-chargers located near popular outdoor destinations like Whistler and Tofino, all matched with 100% renewable energy.

4. Sustainability & The “Forever” Mission

Rivian’s commitment to the environment is formalized through the Rivian Foundation, which received 1% of the company’s equity at its IPO.

Local Impact: In BC, this translates to partnerships with organizations like The Nature Conservancy and indigenous-led conservation groups to protect the province’s vital biodiversity.
Renewable Matching: Rivian matches the first 10,000 miles of every new vehicle with 100% renewable energy, ensuring that Vancouver “adventures” help build a cleaner energy grid.

Working at Rivian in Vancouver means being part of a “Life Forever” philosophy. Whether it’s an iOS Engineer designing the next-gen vehicle app or a Field Service Technician in Richmond, the experience is defined by the high-stakes challenge of “scaling responsibly” while protecting the planet we love to explore.

To apply for this job please visit careers.rivian.com.