Senior Test Engineer I

Summary

The Senior Test Engineer requires knowledge of established engineering principles and methods related to tire testing and analysis to support all tire development activities, including test scheduling, test methods, test equipment, analysis and reporting.  Assignments may include indoor testing, outdoor testing, and 3rd party testing, and often require close partnerships with outside customers to participate in various evaluations.  This position will report directly to the Testing Manager and is expected to be filled with an experienced subject matter expert in multiple types of tire testing equipment such as Force and Moment, Rolling Resistance, Stiffness, and Endurance testing machines.  The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with running, troubleshooting, calibrating, and scheduling test equipment as well as conducting detailed engineering analyses of acquired data.

Responsibilities

• Possess a strong understanding of indoor and outdoor tire testing equipment and standard operational procedures.
• Develop new test procedures and modify existing test procedures.
• Maintain a strong familiarity with test standards and continually update the test request system with latest standards.
• Perform machine correlations. Coordinate testing activities with other test groups both within the company and with other suppliers and vehicle manufacturers.
• Follow ISO/TS standards. Participate in audits and maintain records to maintain compliance.
• Create and implement project budgets and schedules.
• Summarize and provide regular activity reports to management.
• Review and approve test requests from development engineers and enter into the test system.
• Schedule and oversee regular maintenance on test machines. Work with outside vendors.
• Record and assign priority of tests of the various test machines.
• Coordinate with outside test companies to conduct tests. Identify appropriate test locations and conduct negotiations as necessary.
• Communicate with other groups both within and outside the company as needed.
• Work on existing test methods. Develop new test methods and new test equipment as necessary.
• Participate on and lead task force teams to increase technical capability and improve performance.
• Participate on industry groups such as Tire & Rim, RMA, SAE, ASTM.

Knowledge and Skills

• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Strong technical, analytic and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in the use of engineering software tools such as 3D CAD programs, Matlab, and statistical software is highly beneficial. Proficient use of Microsoft Office products required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• A minimum of 10 years of test engineering experience or equivalent is preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position, often sitting for prolonged periods of time while working on a computer.
• Occasional travel by airplane and/or automobile in conducting business as required.