Earlier in 2019, Rivian announced $700 million in funding led by Amazon, a $500 million investment by Ford and $350 million from Cox Automotive. Rivian announced in September that it was collaborating with Amazon on developing an electric delivery van.

Meanwhile, about 225 people are working at the former Mitsubishi plant.

"Our staff in Normal is primarily made up of engineers, team members and technicians," Dietmeier said. "They are leading the work in gearing up our facility for production."

Vehicle production is expected to begin in late 2020 with the R1T pickup truck. Production of the R1S sports utility vehicle will follow several months later.

"The first vehicles will be rolling to pre-order customers in late 2020, with the majority receiving their vehicles in 2021," Dietmeier said.

"We anticipate 1,000 employees when we achieve full production within the next few years," Dietmeier said. The company must hire 500 people and invest $40.5 million in Normal by the end of 2021 to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in local tax breaks and must hire 1,000 people locally over a decade to receive about $50 million in state income tax credits.

Recruiters are beginning to look for production employees, Dietmeier said.