Rivian adds 1,800 workers and launches independent robotics spin‑off

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the electric‑vehicle maker now employs about 17,000 people, reflecting a net increase of roughly 1,800 staff in the first five months of 2026. The growth reverses a series of layoffs that cut almost 2,000 jobs between February 2024 and October 2025. The headcount figure includes employees of Rivian’s joint venture with Volkswagen Group, RV Tech, which the company consolidates for accounting purposes.

In parallel, Scaringe announced the creation of an independent industrial‑robotics company, Mind Robotics, focused on collaborative robots that work alongside human workers. The spin‑off raised $500 million in funding and will count Rivian as its first customer. Though legally separate from Rivian’s core automotive business, the venture aims to tap the rapidly expanding global robotics market and bring a commercial product to market within the next year.