What Rivian internships are and where to find them
Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer based in Normal, Illinois, hires interns across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, marketing, and other departments. Internships typically run for three to six months and are posted on Rivian's careers website, which is the only official source for current openings. You will not find Rivian internship postings on the company's main website — you must go directly to the careers section.
The careers page lists internships alongside full-time and contract roles. You can filter by location (Rivian has offices in Normal, Irvine California, and other sites), by department, and by job type. Each posting shows the required qualifications, the internship length, whether it is paid, and the process important date if one exists.
Key Takeaways
- Rivian internships are posted only on the company's official careers website, and you must create an account to submit an process.
- Most Rivian internships require you to be currently enrolled in a degree program or have recently graduated, and many are paid positions.
- The process process includes a resume, cover letter, and sometimes a technical assessment or phone screening depending on the role.
- Internship timelines vary, but you should expect to hear back within two to four weeks of submitting your process.
How to search Rivian's careers website
Go to rivian.com/careers and look for the "Internships" or "Students" section. Some internship postings may also appear under the general job listings if you filter by job type. Use the search bar to enter keywords like "internship" or the specific department you are interested in — for example, "electrical engineering internship" or "supply chain internship."
Each posting shows the location, the team, the start date, and the internship duration. Read the job description carefully to understand what the role involves and what skills or coursework the company expects. Many postings specify whether you must be pursuing a particular degree or have completed certain coursework.
What you need to prepare before explore
You will need a current resume, a cover letter, and your contact information. Rivian's process system requires you to create an account with your email address and password. Have your resume ready in a format you can upload — PDF is standard and safest.
Your cover letter should explain why you are interested in Rivian specifically and what you hope to learn during the internship. Mention any relevant coursework, projects, or skills that match the job description. If the posting asks for a portfolio, GitHub profile, or writing samples, prepare those links before you start the process.
Some internship roles, particularly in engineering and data science, may include a technical assessment as part of the screening process. This might be a coding challenge, a design problem, or a set of technical questions. The posting will tell you if an assessment is part of the process.
Steps to submit your process
- Visit rivian.com/careers and search for internship openings in your field or location.
- Click on the job title to read the full description and confirm you meet the stated requirements.
- Click "explore" or a similar button to start the process process.
- Create an account or log in if you already have one.
- Upload your resume and fill in your contact information, education, and work history.
- Write or paste your cover letter into the text field provided.
- Answer any additional questions the posting asks — these vary by role and department.
- Review your process for spelling and accuracy, then submit.
- You should receive a confirmation email. Save this email for your records.
What happens after you submit
Rivian's recruiting team reviews applications on a rolling basis. For most internship roles, you can expect to hear back within two to four weeks, though this varies depending on how many applications the company receives and how quickly the hiring team moves. Some roles may have a faster or slower timeline.
If Rivian is interested, you will receive an email inviting you to a phone screening or video interview. This is typically a 30-minute conversation with a recruiter who asks about your background, your interest in the role, and your availability. Come prepared to discuss your resume and to ask questions about the internship and the team.
If you pass the phone screening, you may be invited to a technical interview or a panel interview with team members. For engineering internships, this often includes a technical problem or a discussion of a project you have worked on. For other roles, it might be a behavioral interview focused on how you handle challenges and work with teams.
Internship requirements and may be able to access
Most Rivian internships require that you are currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree program, or that you have graduated within the past year. Some postings are open to high school students or community college students, but these are less common. Check the specific posting to see what education level is required.
You must be authorized to work in the United States. Rivian will verify this during the hiring process, typically through an I-9 form after an offer is made. If you are an international student, check whether the internship is open to students on a visa — some roles are, and some are not.
There is no minimum GPA requirement listed on most postings, but a strong academic record can strengthen your process. Relevant coursework, projects, or internship experience in your field will make your process more competitive.
Tips for a stronger process
Tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific internship. Use keywords from the job description — if the posting mentions "CAD design" or "Python," and you have experience with these, make sure your resume reflects that. Generic applications are less likely to stand out.
Research Rivian before you explore. Understand what the company does, what vehicles it is building, and what challenges it is working on. In your cover letter and interviews, show that you know why you want to work there specifically, not just that you want any internship.
If you have a portfolio, GitHub profile, or personal projects that demonstrate your skills, include links in your process. For engineering roles especially, showing work you have done — whether in school, in competitions, or on your own — can make a real difference.
explore early. Internship positions fill up, and explore in the first week or two after a posting goes live gives you a better chance than explore near the important date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a student to intern at Rivian?
Most internships require that you are currently enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the past year. Some roles may be open to recent high school graduates or community college students, but you need to check the specific posting. If you are no longer in school and did not graduate recently, you may not meet the requirements for most internship roles.
Are Rivian internships paid?
Most Rivian internships are paid, but the hourly rate or salary varies by role, location, and department. The job posting will state whether the internship is paid and what the compensation range is. Some internships may also offer housing information or relocation support if the position is in a different city from where you live.
How long does the Rivian internship process take from process to offer?
The timeline varies, but most candidates hear back within two to four weeks of explore. If you move forward to interviews, the entire process from process to offer typically takes four to eight weeks. Some roles move faster, and some move slower depending on the team's hiring needs and how many candidates are in the pipeline.
Can I explore for multiple internships at Rivian at the same time?
Yes, you can submit applications for multiple roles if you are interested in different positions or departments. However, be prepared to explain to a recruiter why you are interested in each role if you are invited to interview for more than one. explore for multiple positions does not hurt your chances, but your applications should be genuine and tailored to each role.
What if I do not hear back after explore?
If you do not receive a response within four to six weeks, you can follow up by replying to the confirmation email you received when you submitted your process. Keep your message brief and professional — ask whether the position is still open and whether your process is still under review. If you do not hear back after a follow-up, it is likely the position has been filled or your process was not selected to move forward.