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.
The Sr. Manager, Facilities Strategy & Operations is both the strategic architect and operational backbone of RV Tech's Palo Alto HQ and global sites — owning long-term real estate strategy and infrastructure while ensuring day-to-day operations are safe, functional, and exceptional. This is a foundational hire: many of the frameworks, vendor relationships, tools, and processes this role owns either don't exist yet or are being built in real time, so we're looking for a self-starting leader who brings equal parts vision and execution — someone who can define the strategy on Monday and be hands-on solving a facilities problem on Tuesday. You'll partner closely with Engineering, Finance, IT, People, executive leadership and counterparts at Rivian and will be a key voice in how RV Tech scales its physical footprint as the company grows. This role is onsite 5 days a week in our Palo Alto, Ca office and reports to our Director - Finance Programs & Operations.
Strategy & Real Estate
Own RV Tech's multi-year global facilities strategy and real estate transaction lifecycle (site search and selection, LOIs, lease negotiation/administration, lease administration), including build vs. outsource decisions
Lead site planning and space strategy as well as facility design/construction and new site openings, including an NSO checklist ensuring day-one operational readiness
Build BI dashboards/frameworks for real-time visibility into facilities performance, spend, and capacity; drive continuous improvement via benchmarking
Operations & EHSS
Own day-to-day operations across sites (maintenance, janitorial, space management, safety, vendor services and utilities management) and coordinate a network of internal team, site contacts and vendors
Build operational plans: preventative/reactive maintenance, SLAs, CMMS, ticketing, escalation, and emergency response
Own EHSS: OSHA/environmental compliance, incident management, physical security (guards, SOC, access, TISAX/ISO 27001), coordinating with Rivian at shared sites
Manage the Small Works program for post-occupancy improvements
Vendor & Budget Management
Build and manage global vendor network (janitorial, EHS/security, catering, HVAC, electrical, landscaping, etc.); run competitive bidding with Procurement and work with Rivian to establish our own vendor base
Own 5-year CapEx and annual OpEx budgets; financial modeling for site decisions; forecasts/actuals reporting to leadership
Leadership & Stakeholders
Build and lead a small, high-performing internal team plus outsourced partners
Serve as primary point of contact for facilities needs/escalations; align with Rivian/VW Group counterparts on shared standards
Minimum Qualifications:
10+ years facilities management experience, with both strategic program-building and hands-on operational ownership (not just inheriting existing programs)
Track record managing budgets, financial models, and vendor negotiations / management
Proven team leadership — hiring and retaining talent
Deep technical knowledge of building systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire)
Comfortable with data/AI tools, dashboards, KPI frameworks, translating data into executive insights
Strong communication skills for senior/cross-functional audiences
Experience with CMMS (Fexa, Archibus, or similar); MS Office/Google Workspace
Willingness to be on-site, travel up to 25%, and respond to critical incidents off-hours
Preferred Qualifications
High-growth tech, automotive, or EV company experience
Experience with R&D/engineering-heavy facilities
Sustainability, energy management, or workplace experience background
CFM or FMP certification
BI tools (Tableau, Looker) and/or space platforms (Robin, Envoy)
PM tools: Smartsheet, Airtable, Confluence; using AI tools
Full-time positions include base salary, eligibility for an annual performance bonus, and eligibility for equity.
In addition to base salary, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies offers benefits tailored to the local market. For more information on the benefits available for full-time employees, check out our Global Benefits Site.
External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers). If you are a current employee, please apply through our internal job board.
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 candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
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) record keeping; (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.
If you provide a mobile telephone number as part of your application or during the recruitment process, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use that number to contact you via SMS text message for recruitment-related purposes, including scheduling, logistics, and status updates. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of applying for or being considered for employment.
Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.
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Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are not currently accepting applications from third party application services.