Engine Test Methods Lead

Stellantis•Auburn Hills, MI

About The Position

The Engine Test Methods Lead is responsible for the development, governance, and continuous improvement of all engine testing standards, procedures, and best practices across the organization. This role ensures consistent, repeatable, and high-quality test execution by defining validated methodologies, maintaining documentation control, and driving alignment across engineering, validation, and test operations teams. This position serves as the central authority for engine test methods, supporting product development, validation, and warranty reduction initiatives through robust, standardized testing practices.

Requirements

Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or related degree field
A minimum of 8 years of experience in Engine Development and/or Validation
Understanding of automotive processes such as DFMEA, DVP&R, DFSS, DRBTR, etc.
Familiarity with automotive internal combustion engine design, development, and testing
Test cell operations and instrumentation experience
Understanding of reliability and durability testing (e.g., R90C90 concept)
Strong interpersonal communication, team/leadership skills/experience
Experience writing and managing technical standards and procedures
Organizational skills
Technical leadership
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Attention to detail and governance discipline
Action oriented
Dealing with ambiguity
Customer focus

Nice To Haves

Masters in Engineering degree with emphasis in engine development, engine validation, control systems, or calibration
Experience in advanced engine technologies (turbocharging, hybridization, emissions systems)
Experience in developing, writing, and releasing engine validation specifications
10 years or more in design, development, quality, manufacturing, and / or validation of engines or powertrains
Experience in Data acquisition systems (e.g., ETAS, AVL, Horiba)
Experience in Test planning and scheduling optimization
Experience with digital tools (SharePoint, Power Apps, data systems)

Responsibilities

Develop, publish, and maintain corporate engine testing standards, procedures, and best practices.
Establish standardized test methods for Durability Validation, Mechanical Development Testing, and Oil Consumption Measurement / Validation.
Ensure all test procedures are version-controlled, accessible, and traceable.
Define test methodologies to ensure repeatability and reproducibility across test cells and facilities, and alignment with regulatory, internal validation, and program requirements.
Develop test definitions including test setup requirements, instrumentation standards, data acquisition and validation criteria, and pass/fail and exit criteria.
Capture and institutionalize lessons learned from test failures, warranty issues, and field returns and root cause investigations.
Drive continuous improvement of test methods based on new technologies (e.g., electrification integration, hybrid systems) and emerging failure modes.
Lead benchmarking of internal vs. industry best practices.
Collaborate with Engine design engineering, Validation and reliability teams, Engine build and Mobile Engine Test Stand teams, Test cell operations team, Supplier quality and manufacturing, and Global Testing Leads within Stellantis.
Ensure test methods support design validation plans (DVP&R) and program timing.
Develop and deliver training for engineers and technicians on test methods and procedures.
Support rollout and adoption of new or updated standards across all test facilities.
Provide technical guidance and troubleshooting support for test execution issues.
Manage and improve documentation systems (e.g., SharePoint, Microsoft Lists, PLM systems).
Enable structured storage and searchability of test procedures, templates, test reports and historical data.
Support integration with automated data acquisition and reporting tools.