Validation Engineer

ElDorado National California•Riverside, CA

3d•$105,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Validation Engineer will be responsible for planning, executing, and managing test and validation activities for an innovative medium-duty vehicle platform. This role will ensure that all vehicle systems — mechanical, electrical, and software — meet design intent, performance requirements, and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will have strong technical understanding of vehicle systems and validation processes, experience with EV platforms or complex mobility products, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, startup-like development environment. This position is based at ENC’s headquarters in Riverside, California, and will require active collaboration with engineering and supplier teams in China, as well as coordination of U.S. and international test and certification programs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or related Engineering field (Master’s preferred).
5+ years of validation or test engineering experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, or EV development.
Proven experience in vehicle or system-level validation, including test planning, execution, and reporting.
Hands-on experience with data acquisition systems (e.g., NI, Vector) and test instrumentation.
Knowledge of regulatory and safety standards such as FMVSS, EPA, and CARB.
Familiarity with thermal, vibration, environmental, and EMC testing methodologies.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with experience in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Excellent communication and cross-functional coordination skills.
Ability and willingness to travel internationally, including frequent travel to China.
Detail-oriented, organized, and methodical in testing and reporting.
Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced, evolving development environment.
Hands-on and curious, with a focus on continuous improvement.
Self-driven and able to balance independent work with cross-functional teamwork.
Motivated to contribute to the validation and launch of a new vehicle platform from concept through production.

Nice To Haves

Validation experience with EV-specific systems, such as batteries, e-axles, VCUs, and BMS.
Experience with Matlab/Simulink for modeling and test automation.
Familiarity with ISO 26262, functional safety, and validation best practices.
Previous collaboration with international suppliers or engineering teams.
Experience supporting prototype-to-production transition and design maturity tracking.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage Design Verification Plans and Reports (DVP&R) for vehicle systems and components.
Plan, coordinate, and execute validation activities including functional, durability, thermal, vibration, NVH, and environmental testing.
Oversee data acquisition, instrumentation setup, and test execution for mechanical and electrical systems.
Analyze test data, identify performance deviations, and lead root cause investigations and corrective actions.
Work cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to resolve issues and improve design robustness.
Coordinate with internal and external test labs in the U.S. and abroad to ensure test coverage and compliance.
Support FMVSS, EPA, and CARB validation and documentation requirements in collaboration with homologation teams.
Support prototype builds, vehicle instrumentation, and system debugging activities.
Travel to China and other test sites as required to oversee validation activities and collaborate with international teams.
Maintain detailed test documentation, traceability, and reporting aligned with program milestones.