Validation Engineer

As the leading transit bus manufacturer in the United States, GILLIG buses play a critical role in the environmental and social initiatives in communities across our nation.  GILLIG is on the forefront in the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has an unmatched reputation in the industry for quality, reliability, durability, service, and support.  From initial design through final assembly, each GILLIG bus is designed and built in Livermore, CA. 

WHY GILLIG

• Leader in environmentally friendly mobility solutions including battery electric, hybrid electric, near-zero CNG and clean diesel transit buses
• Renowned for its inclusive team/family-oriented culture
• Stable, successful, and growing organization - a Bay Area business for over 132 years!
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Excellent compensation including company paid medical premiums, generous retirement plan and other comprehensive benefits

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

GILLIG Engineering is responsible for the development, customization, and configuration of GILLIG’s clean technology heavy-duty transit buses.  We are committed to developing the most reliable buses that connect communities, eliminates congestion, and contributes to a greener environment.  Our engineers are engaged in designing, analyzing, testing, launching, and problem solving across a wide range of technical areas. 

Validation Engineering is responsible for the testing, simulation, and evaluation of systems, components and vehicle platforms for GILLIG’s continuously evolving product line.  It is instrumental in ensuring design requirements are met and overall performance meets the harsh demands of the heavy-duty transit bus duty-cycle.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Validation Engineer, you will be responsible for working closely with suppliers and internal engineering teams to ensure that Mechanical and Electrical Components, as well as entire vehicle systems, are validated to program timelines and ensure all test plans and related documentation are completed on time. Responsibilities include direct engagement with our suppliers, external testing facilities, and internal cross-functional engineering teams to ensure compliance to requirements to achieve program objectives.

This is a hands-on, on-site role at our Loveland, CO Technology Center and reports to the Manager of Validation but may also receive direction and guidance from senior engineers.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

• Support validation activities surrounding the planning and execution of DV/PV testing for components, systems, and entire vehicles, ensuring complete traceability between requirements, test results, and test reports
• Develop and release comprehensive DV/PV test plans based on program targets, control documents, and requirements for both external suppliers and internal teams
• Support engineering design and/or DFMEA reviews with Engineering and/or Suppliers
• Coordinate and document requirements, design verification, and validation with suppliers and external testing resources to support the overall program validation plan
• Support the development and implementation of test benches for internal testing
• Work closely with the Engineering teams to develop and deploy instrumentation and data acquisition strategies, data analysis methodologies and best practices for planning and conducting effective and timely testing activities
• Gather and refine complex data sets into useable information and reports
• Report test results, document non-conformances, and work with related engineering teams to identify root causes and develop solutions
• Support the maintenance and calibration of test equipment and instrumentation
• Support the development and deployment of engineering standards
• Support as a technical resource at external facilities

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

• Autonomy: Ability to work with little instruction on day-to-day work, receiving general instruction on new assignments from senior engineers or manager.
• Technically Minded: Apply industry practices and standards (NFPA, NEC, APTA, etc.). Exhibit professional expertise, applying company policies and procedures to resolve a variety of issues. Determine a course of action based on guidelines and modify processes and methods as required.
• Time Management:  Work productively with all stakeholders to deliver projects on schedule and on budget.
• Communication:  Collaborate up, down and across the organization to resolve mutual problems. Focus on providing standard professional advice and creating initial reports/analysis for review by experienced team members.
• Complexity:  Responsible for a certain set of DV/PV plans within the team. Work on problems of moderate to more-complex scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of a variety of factors. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action. Applies learned techniques and contributes to analysis and investigation to solve problems.
• Quality & Standards: Verification and validation documentation is comprehensive, traceable to requirements & objectives, and complete.  Released test plans and reports are thorough, clear and concise, with a high attention to detail.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
• Minimum 2 years of experience within the Engineering industry
• Experience in automotive and/or heavy-duty vehicle testing/validation
• Experience working with internal and external customers, engineering service suppliers, and supervising 3rd party test facilities
• Knowledge of FMVSS, ADA, APTA Bus Procurement Guidelines, SAE HD vehicle standards, NFPA
• Experience with “hands-on” troubleshooting, product assembly, prototyping, testing, and validation activities (on site and at remote locations)
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with team members, customers, internal and external suppliers.
• Familiarity with testing processes, including creating and executing test plans on vehicles supporting program timelines
• Familiarity with instrumentation and data acquisition equipment
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer
• Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk and occasionally kneel or squat
• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation
• Must be able to navigate manufacturing environment, comfortable around heavy machinery, tools, etc.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment, (i.e. safety glasses, bump caps, hearing protection, etc.)
• 30% travel may be required 
• Standard start time: 8:00 a.m MST (negotiable)

EXPECTED COMPENSATION

$75,000 - $125,000/annual salary + premium benefits  

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job classification, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

GILLIG is committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace that values and respects the unique talents, experiences, and perspectives of our employees and the people we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

GILLIG is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.