Rivian is looking to cut some excess jobs as the fledgling automaker is expected to announce layoffs that could total as much as 5% of its current workforce. As of March 8, 2022 Rivian had over 11,500 employees, meaning a 5% cut could result in 575 or more positions being eliminated.
The jobs cuts will not involve those employees responsible for building their vehicles. Instead, they will be focused on non-manufacturing roles and in areas of the company that have grown too quickly and where there are teams with duplicate functions, according to a report by Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter.
The sources explained no final decisions have been made or communicated to employees, but that an official announcement is expected in the next few weeks.
Over the past year Rivian has more than doubled its workforce as the company went public and began production and deliveries of their first electric vehicles (EVs) built in Normal, Illinois. Rivian also has operations in California and Michigan, and plans to build their second $5 billion manufacturing facility in Georgia.
Some of the job cuts could affect Canadians. The company has a significant presence in Vancouver, where its first office opened in early 2020 in the city’s Yaletown district. The office houses more than 100 employees who work mainly on the vehicle’s infotainment software and mobile app development.
Rivian’s job cuts come at the same time as when Tesla is planning to do the same. According to comments made by CEO Elon Musk, Tesla will be reducing the number of salaried workers by about 10%, but at the same time increasing the number of hourly workers, for a net reduction of about 3.5% of its employees.
