Manager, Validation Engineer

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Product Validation Manager to lead a developing team. You will be responsible for helping to operationalize and connect the methodologies and tools so we can validate the different levels of the system V-model and ensure the highest quality and reliability of our product lines. The role focuses on the execution and continuous improvement of validation for assigned components, systems, and product verticals—including issue identification and resolution, ownership of validation process infrastructure (TIR, VSR, metrics), and documentation of lessons learned. This is a hands-on, on-site role at our Pleasanton, CA office and reports to the Director of Validation.

Responsibilities

• Own validation execution for assigned components, systems, and product verticals (e.g., powertrain, chassis, body electronics) developing and executing test plans across physical and virtual (HIL/SIL/MIL) environments.
• Responsible for the final validation review and sign-off process for assigned components and systems, escalating unresolved risks to the Director of Validation—serving as the accountable technical authority for vehicle release readiness.
• Lead root-cause investigation and resolution of test issues and non-conformances, driving corrective actions with design and supplier teams through closure.
• Own the Test Incident Report (TIR) process—from issue capture through disposition—and maintain the associated metrics and trends used to drive design and process improvement.
• Own the Validation Service Request (VSR) intake process, triaging and fulfilling ad hoc test and data-collection requests that fall outside the planned DVP.
• Document and maintain a lesson-learned repository from test issues and program retrospectives, ensuring recurring failure modes are captured and fed back into design and test standards.
• Support the test asset strategy to ensure the availability, deployment, and performance of testing resources.
• Develop and deploy engineering standards to define and manage various physical and virtual test procedures required to confirm compliance with vehicle and system level requirements for new models and to confirm complete traceability between requirements, test results, and test reports (DVP&R, RVTM).
• Own requirements decomposition and management (DVP&R/RVTM authorship) for assigned components and systems, ensuring test coverage maps cleanly to validation requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of requirements and testing plans with product quality and issue-resolution goals.
• Mentor and manage a team of test engineers, fostering a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Plan and design test equipment and procedures as required to ensure successful, on-time testing.
• Responsible for the documentation and reporting of test status, risk assessment, and mitigation plans at various phase gates throughout the component and system validation process.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline; Master’s degree a plus.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive engineering and management experience.
• Exceptional technical and leadership responsibility in automotive, on/off highway, or transportation equipment. Heavy-duty transit experience a plus.
• Operational knowledge of or experience with embedded controls and software controls for ICE or electrified powertrains, steering/suspension systems, braking systems, and body electronics, including vehicle attribute performance and testing.
• High operational knowledge of FMVSS, ADA, APTA Bus Procurement Guidelines, SAE automotive and heavy-duty vehicle standards, NFPA, ISO 26262 (functional safety), and ISO 21434 (cybersecurity).
• Prior experience as a validation engineer, technical program manager, or in a similar role, focusing on vehicle development and validation.
• Deep knowledge of hardware and software diagnostics, validation, and early test escape detection methodologies.
• Strong leadership and operational management skills, with experience leading cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven track record in managing test assets, including resource planning and deployment.
• Experience conducting functional, interoperability, multi-dimensional scale, and performance tests; ability to create test plans for multi-vendor environments, optimize test coverage, and ensure adherence to manufacturing processes and safety regulations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, detail-oriented, highly organized documentation practices.
• Familiarity with the V-model and systems-engineering verification frameworks (e.g., DVP&R, RVTM) as applied to heavy-duty vehicle validation.
• Experience establishing and running structured issue-resolution processes (e.g., TIRs, 8D / root-cause corrective action) and defining test and quality metrics to drive continuous improvement.

Work Environment

• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and occasionally kneel or squat.
• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to navigate a manufacturing environment, comfortable around heavy machinery and tools.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (e.g., safety glasses, bump caps, hearing protection).
• 20% travel required.
• Standard start time: 7:00 am (negotiable).

Pay

Expected compensation: $146,300 - $200,000 annual salary + bonus + premium benefits. Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job classification, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered.