Operational Test Engineer

GTI Fabrication • Buffalo, NY

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Corporate Electrical Test Engineer serves as the enterprise Subject Matter Expert (SME) for electrical testing methods, test systems, and compliance verification across multiple manufacturing and development sites. This role is responsible for ensuring all electrical products meet customer specific specifications, regulatory requirements, and internal quality standards through robust test strategies. The position defines, standardizes, and governs electrical test methodologies used for in process testing, final acceptance testing, qualification, and validation. The engineer provides hands on support for troubleshooting test failures, test escapes, and field returns, ensuring alignment between customer requirements, test capability, and manufacturing execution.

Requirements

• Customer Compliant Electrical Test Standards mapped directly to customer contractual and technical requirements.
• Electrical Test Method Definition & Validation Documented electrical test methods with validated accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility (GR&R).
• Correlation between lab validation testing and production test results.
• Root Cause & Corrective Action Documentation Completed 8D / DMAIC investigations for major test failures and customer escapes.
• Electrical Test System Capability Improvement Optimized test fixtures, automation, and software configurations to improve reliability and throughput.
• Documentation, Standards & Training Materials Controlled library of electrical test procedures, specifications, and training content.
• Technical approval of electrical test equipment, fixtures, and automated systems.
• Definition and enforcement of electrical test acceptance criteria and customer specific test procedures.
• Electrical safety compliance, test station risk mitigation, training support.
• Customer audits, escape investigations, control plans, compliance reporting.
• Test execution support, failure troubleshooting, MRB involvement.
• Design for testability, requirement interpretation, validation feedback.
• Supplier electrical capability assessments and corrective actions.
• Customer reporting, project tracking, escalation support.
• Customer specification compliance rate
• Reduction in electrical test escapes and field failures
• First pass yield at electrical test stations
• Accuracy, repeatability, and throughput of electrical testing
• Quality, completeness, and traceability of test documentation

Responsibilities

• Develop and govern electrical test strategies ensuring full compliance with customer specifications, contracts, and technical requirements.
• Translate customer electrical requirements into executable test methods, acceptance criteria, and test limits.
• Ensure electrical tests verify functional performance, safety, reliability, and product robustness under defined operating conditions.
• Act as the corporate SME for electrical testing, including: Functional, parametric, and performance testing; High pot, insulation resistance, and dielectric testing; Continuity, grounding, and leakage current testing; Environmental and stress testing with electrical verification; End of line and in process electrical testing.
• Provide onsite technical support to resolve test failures, intermittent issues, and equipment related problems.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex electrical test failures and customer escapes.
• Lead structured root cause investigations (8D, DMAIC, A3) related to: Test failures vs. customer specification interpretation; False failures and false passes; Test repeatability and correlation issues; Field failures traced to electrical performance.
• Develop, document, and track corrective and preventive actions through closure.
• Define technical requirements and specifications for: Electrical test stations and fixtures; Automated test equipment (ATE); Data acquisition and logging systems.
• Support planning, installation, commissioning, and validation of new electrical test systems and automated test lines.
• Improve test system robustness, safety, repeatability, and throughput across facilities.
• Develop and maintain corporate electrical test standards aligned with customer and regulatory requirements.
• Create and control technical documentation, including: Electrical test specifications; Test procedures and work instructions; Control plans and validation reports.
• Ensure traceability between customer requirements, test steps, and acceptance criteria.
• Support new product introductions by defining electrical validation and qualification test plans.
• Lead qualification testing for: New products; Design revisions; Supplier changes; Customer driven requirement changes.
• Support customer audits, technical reviews, and compliance demonstrations.
• Analyze electrical test data to detect trends, degradation, and early warning signals.
• Partner with Quality and Manufacturing to reduce defects, rework, and customer returns.
• Continuously improve test effectiveness while minimizing unnecessary test cost and cycle time.
• Develop and deliver training to operators, technicians, engineers, and quality personnel on: Electrical test theory and methods; Customer specific test requirements; Safe operation of electrical test equipment.
• Ensure training records and competency requirements are maintained.
• Provide test expertise to Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management.
• Support customer communications related to electrical performance, testing strategy, and failure resolution.
• Lead cross functional improvement initiatives tied to electrical test capability and compliance.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match (where applicable)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Sick time in accordance with state and local requirements
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• Career advancement opportunities within a rapidly growing organization
• Exposure to advanced manufacturing, modular infrastructure, and large-scale industrial projects
• Collaborative, fast-paced environment with strong operational and engineering leadership
• Employee-focused culture centered on safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior