Rivian Welcomes Krishna Bandaru as Vice President of Manufacturing Engineering

Rivian has announced a significant addition to its leadership team with the appointment of Krishna Bandaru as Vice President of Manufacturing Engineering. COO Javier Varela shared the news on LinkedIn, emphasizing Bandaru’s extensive experience and the strategic role he will play in Rivian’s ambitious growth plans.

Bandaru joins Rivian with more than 25 years of manufacturing experience at Stellantis, where he honed his expertise in scaling production and optimizing efficiency. At Rivian, he will focus on improving productivity, increasing manufacturing efficiency, delivering high-quality products, and reducing both capital expenditure and launch timelines.

As Rivian prepares for the next phase of its expansion, Bandaru’s leadership is set to play a crucial role. COO Varela highlighted Bandaru’s “passion for scaling up manufacturing operations with a focus on innovative processes,” a skill set that will be vital as Rivian continues to scale operations at its Normal, Illinois facility to support the launch of the R2 platform in 2026.

This appointment comes at a pivotal time for Rivian as the company aims to streamline operations while expanding its product lineup and production capabilities. With Bandaru’s guidance, Rivian is well-positioned to tackle the challenges of scaling manufacturing while maintaining its commitment to high-quality and sustainable electric vehicles.