Engineer II - Validation

Magna International•Southfield, MI

About The Position

The Validation Engineer develops validation test plans and timing schedules to support program objectives for automotive components across analog, digital, optical, color, environmental, electrical, and EMC applications, particularly for ADAS and power products. The role combines technical expertise, interpersonal skills, and project management to coordinate validation work from requirements analysis and planning through test execution, analysis, and documentation. The Engineer coordinates with design teams, Validation Tools Engineers, customers, suppliers, and external laboratories. Responsibilities include estimating and quoting test costs, arranging purchase orders, aligning with laboratory personnel before testing, coordinating test setup and equipment, monitoring test execution, and visiting external laboratories as needed. The position also creates and maintains test procedures, work instructions, data-analysis reports, and standard forms. It requires independent problem-solving and decision-making with general direction on project objectives, while managing multiple projects and adapting to changing program needs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
At least 5 years of experience in an engineering automotive environment.
Technical understanding of environmental testing, including temperature, vibration, humidity, enclosure, and associated electrical tests.
Technical understanding of electrical and EMC testing.
Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, Outlook, and Microsoft Project.
Experience creating validation test plans and knowledge of customer validation requirements, including standards such as GMW3172, CS-1189, CETP 00.00-E-412, and European OEM requirements.
Demonstrated troubleshooting skills.
Experience using test equipment, including DMM, oscilloscope, and video scope.
Ability to calculate and analyze data, generate reports, and present information.
Strong organizational, project-management, leadership, prioritization, and coordination skills.
Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills, including the ability to work with engineering teams, OEM customers, and external suppliers.
Ability to work independently and make decisions.
Ability to conceptualize, coordinate, and integrate internal data, and clearly explain test, hardware, and software topics.
Ability to research, recommend, present, and oversee implementation of new products, materials, and processes.
Ability to influence cross-functional teams at multiple organizational levels and maintain productive working relationships.
Ability to collaborate, share knowledge, and support Validation Engineering, Validation Tools Engineering, and local laboratory teams.
Ability to manage multiple issues and conflicting priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Review and deeply understand customer requirements.
Develop detailed test plans and Product Verification Plans and Reports (PVP&Rs), and obtain customer and design-team approval of test plans and review of results.
Support engineering design-team meetings and lead discussions to obtain inputs and deliverables needed for validation testing.
Evaluate design changes and propose applicable, accurate tests for electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing-process changes.
Create and maintain detailed project timing plans, including baselines, actual dates, and resource assignments, using Microsoft Project.
Coordinate with design, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, systems, and software teams on design deliverables, product requirements, vehicle functionality, module orientation, and issue resolution.
Initiate and oversee development and release of vibration and environmental test fixtures, working with mechanical engineers on design approvals and recommendations.
Assess whether vibration fixtures introduce resonance to the product and whether environmental fixtures meet application requirements.
Troubleshoot validation failures and lead structured root-cause investigations, including applying methodologies such as 8D to distinguish product issues from test-setup issues and establish corrective actions.
Analyze test data, identify trends across temperature, voltage, and current conditions, develop tools or automated data-processing solutions, and present findings clearly to design teams.
Coordinate and track internal and external testing to ensure laboratory quality, schedule, deadlines, and test-profile compliance.
Provide test equipment and harnesses, monitor tests, inspect and verify returned equipment and harnesses, and ensure equipment is ready for subsequent testing.
Train personnel on tester operation and project expectations, including live GUI data, data files, and file locations.
Monitor test status daily, retrieve and analyze data, verify data capture, and coordinate kickoff meetings and checklists with third-party laboratories.
Perform tasks specified in the DVP&R, including environmental procedures, cross-sections, and visual inspections.
Visit external laboratories and suppliers as needed to monitor test quality and equipment readiness.
Maintain accurate daily records in the Validation Tools System for equipment, schedules, test status, storage, and deliverables.
Perform hands-on testing, create or move setups, and start and monitor tests.
Review DFMEAs and use potential failure situations to improve test plans.
Follow Magna's Product Delivery Process and internal processes.
Manage at least four concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing program needs.
Support the quoting process by estimating engineering hours and testing costs.
Document environmental, electrical, and EMC validation failures in the applicable tool.
Create and maintain validation test procedures, work instructions, data-analysis reports, and standard forms.
Communicate directly by phone or face-to-face to resolve topics efficiently, using email for follow-up or documentation.