Electric truck maker Rivian hires rival Tesla's executive as top engineer

While Kalayjian is not a direct hire from Tesla, the move could exacerbate tensions between the two automakers with legal proceedings underway over Ri
...
The Rivian R1T all-electric truck is pictured at an event. (File photo) (REUTERS)
The Rivian R1T all-electric truck is pictured at an event. (File photo)

Electric-truck startup Rivian Automotive Inc. has hired a former Tesla Inc. executive to lead its engineering as the Amazon.com Inc.-backed company’s debut electric vehicles near production, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Nick Kalayjian, who spent more than a decade at Tesla, will join Rivian as executive vice president of engineering and product, said the person, who declined to be named. Most recently he was a senior vice president at San Francisco-based Plenty Inc., according to his Linkedin profile.

Also check these Cars

Find more Cars
Tesla Model S (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon75 kWh Range Icon396 km
₹70 Lakhs - 1 Cr
Alert Me When Launched
Tesla Model 3 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon82kWh Range Icon 555 km
₹ 70 - 90 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Force Motors Gurkha (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon2596.0 cc FuelType IconDiesel
₹ 13.59 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Mean Metal Motors Azani (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon120 Kwh Range Icon700 km
₹ 88 - 90 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Force Motors Gurkha 5 Door (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon2596 cc FuelType IconDiesel
₹ 16 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Jeep Sub-4m Suv (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon1998 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 10 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched

Kalayjian replaces Mark Vinnels, who until this week had been Rivian’s executive director of engineering, the person said. Vinnels joined Rivian in late 2017 and was previously an executive at McLaren Automotive Ltd.

A Rivian spokesperson confirmed Vinnels has left the company, but did not specify how recently. Neither Kalayjian nor Vinnels could be reached for comment.

While Kalayjian is not a direct hire from Tesla, the move could exacerbate tensions between the two automakers with legal proceedings underway over Rivian’s hiring practices.

Palo Alto, California-based Tesla sued Rivian last month, alleging an “alarming pattern" of poaching employees and stealing trade secrets. Tesla says four of its former employees had taken sensitive proprietary information with them when they went to work for the electric-car rival. In response, Rivian filed a motion to dismiss saying Tesla was trying to scare its own employees from leaving the company.

Several startups in the increasingly crowded EV space have hired scores of former Tesla employees, including Lucid Motors Inc., Proterra Inc. and Rivian. Many include senior postings. For example, Lucid’s current chief executive officer, Peter Rawlinson, was with Tesla between 2009 and 2012 and served as chief engineer on that automaker’s Model S.

Rivian is due to start production of two vehicles -- the all-electric R1T pickup and the R1S SUV -- by the middle of next year at a former Mitsubishi Motors Corp. plant in Normal, Illinois. It has raised nearly $6 billion from backers including Amazon.com and Ford Motor Co.

Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.

First Published Date: 28 Aug 2020, 08:26 AM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Check Latest Offers

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Select a dealer

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy
Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.