Senior Product 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

We are looking for a Senior Product Validation Engineer to join our Validation group. The Senior Validation Engineer will be guided by technical requirements to conduct complex system and vehicle level design verification (DV) and production validation (PV) tests to confirm achievement of these requirements within established program timelines. The role also provides opportunities, with the creation of tools and processes, for traceability of DFMEA to DVP&R to final reports.

This is a hands-on, on-site role at our Livermore, CA plant and reports to the Manager of Validation and may also receive direction and guidance from more senior engineers.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

• Utilize program targets, system requirements and various control documents to develop and release comprehensive DV/PV plans, reports, recommendations
• Lead the planning and execution of DV/PV plans for associated vehicle systems and the entire vehicle.  Report results, document non-conformances and collaborate with related design, systems and controls engineers to identify root cause of any failures, recommendations for improved specifications and opportunities for refinement.
• Design and configure test methods, scripts and/or simulations to develop and validate system capabilities prior to vehicle integration.
• 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.
• Review test plans, methods, analysis, and reports of peers and less senior engineers for input, improvement, accuracy, and overall quality.
• Coordinate and document requirements, design verification and validation with component/subsystem/system suppliers or external testing resources/facilities to support overall program validation plan.
• Gather and refine complex data sets into useable information and reports.
• Support the maintenance and calibration of test equipment and instrumentation.
• Lead activities to develop and deploy engineering standards for defining and managing requirements along with the associated design verification (DV) and production validation (PV) plans, including complete traceability between requirements, test results and test reports.

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

• Autonomy: Ability to work independently with review at critical points.
• Technically Minded: Apply industry practices and standards (NFPA, NEC, APTA, etc.) and provide input and advice to other staff members on industry practices and standards. Exhibit advanced wide-ranging experience, using in-depth professional knowledge, acumen, concepts and company objectives to develop, resolve complex models and procedures.
• Time Management: Work productively with all stakeholders to deliver projects on schedule and on budget.
• Communication: Collaborate and teach up, down and across the organization to help raise the skills and knowledge of the GILLIG team. Adapt style to differing audiences and adept at persuasion on complex subjects.
• Complexity: Responsible for a certain set of DV/PV plans within the team. Work on problems of diverse, complex scope where analysis of information requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Devise solutions based on limited information and precedent and adapt existing approaches to resolve issues. Use evaluation, judgment, and interpretation to select the right course of action.
• 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 5 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 facilities
• High operational 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.
• High operational knowledge with testing processes, including creating and executing test plans on vehicles supporting program timelines
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong 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.)
• Limited travel may be required
• Standard start time: 6:00 am (negotiable)

EXPECTED COMPENSATION

$75,000 - $275,000 /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.

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.