Group Leader, AGV Maintenance & Continuous Improvement

Rivian is seeking a Group Leader for our AGV Maintenance and Continuous Improvement team supporting operations in Normal, IL. The Continuous Improvement Group Lead is responsible for managing, coaching, and developing a cross-functional team of technical personnel across their shift. This role ensures operational excellence by driving daily execution of Repairs, Preventative Maintenance, Prototype builds, Fabrication, Lean Flow activities, minimizing production downtime, and maintaining a high standard of safety, quality, and cross-functional collaboration.

Team Leadership & Development 

• Direct Supervision: Manage and provide leadership to Shift Team Leaders, Technicians, and Team Members. 
• Talent Development: Responsible for the onboarding, ongoing training, technical development, and performance evaluations of Technicians and Team members. 
• Coaching & Culture: Lead, coach, and develop our AGV, Repair, Fabrication, Lean Flow, and PIV technicians to foster a high-performing, accountable, and supportive team culture. 
• Hands-on Support: Master all technical processes and assignments within the department, maintaining the ability to step in and support tasks directly as needed. 

Operational & Maintenance Execution 

• Daily Maintenance Management: Own shift-level execution for all AGV, Material Supply Equipment Repair, Fabrication, Lean Flow, and PIV maintenance, including emergency break-fix repairs, preventive maintenance (PM), routine inspections, and equipment recovery. 
• Workload Prioritization: Dynamically prioritize technician assignments based on safety, ergonomics, production impact, equipment health, and open faults. 
• Technical Troubleshooting: Support complex troubleshooting of AGV system issues across mechanical, electrical, controls, sensor, and software components; escalate to vendors or engineering teams when necessary. 
• Quality Assurance: Ensure all inspections, calibrations, Prototype builds, adjustments, and component replacements are completed to exact quality standards and thoroughly documented.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Budgeting 

• Stakeholder Alignment: Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with Material supply managers, Process and Manufacturing Engineers to coordinate maintenance schedules, minimize operational disruption, and align on support needs. 
• Continuous Improvement: Actively support and participate in pilot programs, Gemba walks, Safety walks and engineering improvements. 
• Financial Control: Monitor, track, and manage capital and expense spending on the shift to ensure budget compliance.

Technical Experience & Skills 

• Maintenance: Strong industrial maintenance and repair experience in a manufacturing or automated production environment is preferred. 
• Automation Systems: Experience with AGV, AMR, or other automated material handling systems is preferred. 
• Troubleshooting: Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot equipment across mechanical, electrical, controls, sensors, and software interfaces. 
• Technical Documentation: Ability to read and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, manuals, and other technical documentation is preferred. 
• Software Proficiency: Working knowledge of CAD, Microsoft, and Google programs. 
• Continuous Improvement: Experience with continuous improvement processes, including, but not limited to Lean Flow, Fabrication, Repair and Power Industrial Vehicle (PIV) . 

Leadership & Soft Skills 

• Leadership Experience: Prior leadership, team lead, or group leader experience preferred, with the ability to motivate teams, drive best practices, and deliver shift-level results. 
• Team Development: Strong leadership skills with a proven track record of developing teams and helping individuals grow. 
• Accountability & Execution: Ability to set tasks, assign responsibilities, and maintain a firm understanding and personal ownership of processes and expectations. 
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work cross-functionally with operations, engineering, controls, and third-party equipment suppliers alongside a strong team orientation.
• Communication & Problem Solving: Good oral and written communication skills paired with demonstrated problem-solving and quick decision-making abilities. ● Operational Management: Highly organized with the ability to meet strict deadlines and stay within budget. 

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to stand for 8–12 hours per day. 
• Required to walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. ● Ability to lift and carry at least 25 pounds.