Validation Engineer

About Blue Bird Corporation

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions.

Job Summary

The Validation Engineer in Engineering designs, develops, and executes physical verification and validation protocols to guarantee the quality, safety, and reliability of Blue Bird’s school bus and commercial vehicle platforms. This role ensures that components, subsystems, and complete vehicles adhere strictly to internal engineering targets, environmental regulations, and federal safety mandates. The Validation Engineer bridges the gap between design engineering and high-volume production, serving as the final gatekeeper for product readiness.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• DVP&R Development: Author, update, and manage comprehensive Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R) documentation for new vehicle components, sub-systems and components, including electrical and propulsion systems.
• Physical Testing Execution: Setup, program, and run laboratory and test-track validation procedures, including but not limited to structural durability, environmental cycling, thermal shock, electrical systems testing. Manage outsourced validation activities with qualified vendors.
• Instrumentation & Data Logging: Lead technicians to install and calibrate test sensors (e.g., strain gauges, load cells, thermocouples, and accelerometers) on prototype vehicles, managing data collection using complex data acquisition systems (DAQ).
• Regulatory Compliance Verification: Coordinate and oversee physical testing required to achieve compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), EPA/CARB mandates, and crash/rollover safety metrics.
• Failure Analysis & Reporting: Document test anomalies and component structural failures, performing root cause analysis (RCA) and collaborating with Design Engineers to implement robust engineering solutions.
• Supplier Component Validation: Evaluate and audit supplier test methods and validation data to verify that purchased sub-assemblies satisfy Blue Bird's strict performance and durability lifetimes.
• Lab Equipment Maintenance: Calibrate and maintain specialized laboratory testing infrastructure, including electrodynamic shakers, environmental chambers, and pneumatic actuators.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities For Success

• Experimental Testing Mechanics: Strong working knowledge of accelerated life testing (ALT), fatigue testing, material deformation, and physical vehicle dynamics.
• DAQ & Software Literacy: Proficiency using automotive data acquisition hardware and analysis tools (such as Dewesoft, Vector CANalyzer, Somat eDAQ, or nCode GlyphWorks).
• Automotive Network Communication: Familiarity with reading, capturing, and interpreting vehicle network communications via J1939, CAN, and LIN bus networks.
• Technical Report Writing: Ability to translate raw test data, sensor waveforms, and laboratory observations into highly professional, actionable validation engineering reports.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Strong communication skills to effectively challenge or validate design assumptions with simulation (CAE), design, and manufacturing teams.

Basic Education And Experience Required

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Automotive Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in experimental validation, laboratory testing, or physical verification within an automotive or heavy-duty commercial truck manufacturing setting.

Preferred Experience

• Direct experience testing high-voltage electric vehicle (EV) safety systems, insulation monitoring devices, battery management systems (BMS), or traction motors.
• Possession of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a passenger endorsement, or willingness to obtain one for test-track operations.
• Advanced technical certification or degree, such as an MS in Engineering, a Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, or ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) status.
• Familiarity with environmental testing standards like SAE J1455, ISO 16750, or equivalent automotive test specifications.

Includes

• Continued Professional Development
• Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching

Work Conditions

• Office environment and production environment
• Must work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise
• Frequent weeks working 40+ hours
• Frequent communication with people throughout the day

Specific Statements Shown In Each Section Of This Description Are Not Intended To Be All-Inclusive

Reasonable Accommodations May Be Made To Enable Individuals With Disabilities To Perform The Essential Functions

Office Environment And Production Environment

• Must work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise

Fast-Paced Production Area With Moving Objects And Sheet Metal

• Frequent periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time

Frequent Weeks Working 40+ Hours

• Frequent communication with people throughout the day

Exposure To Difficult Or Complex Projects A Plus

• Ability to influence stakeholders
• Effective communication and ability to communicate complex details in a clear manner
• Flexible workspaces and work hours to help you unleash the best you
• Working in a collaborative team and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporate objectives