Validation Engineer

Validation Engineer

The Validation Engineer in Engineering designs, develops, and executes physical verification and validation protocols to guarantee the quality, safety, and reliability of Blue Bird's school bus and commercial vehicle platforms. This role ensures that components, subsystems, and complete vehicles adhere strictly to internal engineering targets, environmental regulations, and federal safety mandates. The Validation Engineer bridges the gap between design engineering and high-volume production, serving as the final gatekeeper for product readiness.

The Validation Engineer will:

• Author, update, and manage comprehensive Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R) documentation for new vehicle components, sub-systems and components, including electrical and propulsion systems.
• Setup, program, and run laboratory and test-track validation procedures, including but not limited to structural durability, environmental cycling, thermal shock, electrical systems testing.
• Manage outsourced validation activities with qualified vendors.
• Lead technicians to install and calibrate test sensors (e.g., strain gauges, load cells, thermocouples, and accelerometers) on prototype vehicles, managing data collection using complex data acquisition systems (DAQ).
• Coordinate and oversee physical testing required to achieve compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), EPA/CARB mandates, and crash/rollover safety metrics.
• Document test anomalies and component structural failures, performing root cause analysis (RCA) and collaborating with Design Engineers to implement robust engineering solutions.
• Evaluate and audit supplier test methods and validation data to verify that purchased sub-assemblies satisfy Blue Bird's strict performance and durability lifetimes.
• Calibrate and maintain specialized laboratory testing infrastructure, including electrodynamic shakers, environmental chambers, and pneumatic actuators.

Knowledge, skills and abilities for success include:

• Strong working knowledge of accelerated life testing (ALT), fatigue testing, material deformation, and physical vehicle dynamics.
• Proficiency using automotive data acquisition hardware and analysis tools.
• Familiarity with reading, capturing, and interpreting vehicle network communications.
• Ability to translate raw test data, sensor waveforms, and laboratory observations into highly professional, actionable validation engineering reports.
• Strong communication skills to effectively challenge or validate design assumptions with simulation (CAE), design, and manufacturing teams.

Basic education and experience required:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Automotive Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in experimental validation, laboratory testing, or physical verification within an automotive or heavy-duty commercial truck manufacturing setting.
• All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.

Preferred experience:

• Direct experience testing high-voltage electric vehicle (EV) safety systems, insulation monitoring devices, battery management systems (BMS), or traction motors.
• Possession of a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a passenger endorsement, or willingness to obtain one for test-track operations.
• Advanced technical certification or degree, such as an MS in Engineering, a Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, or ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) status.
• Familiarity with environmental testing standards like SAE J1455, ISO 16750, or equivalent automotive test specifications.

We value:

• Ability to anticipate and understand customer needs and provide guidance.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills to handle difficult and sensitive matters.
• Strong project management skills. Exposure to difficult or complex projects a plus.
• Ability to influence stakeholders.
• Effective communication and ability to communicate complex details in a clear manner.
• Flexible work spaces and work hours to help you unleash the best you.
• Working in a…