Validation Engineer, Electrical

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.

About the role

Seeking a Validation Engineer with a background in Electrical Engineering to lead the evaluation of our sub-systems and full vehicle platforms. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in supporting diverse validation needs (including thermal, aero, mechanical, and software) and competent in the use of simulation and associated correlation activities. This role will directly complement our existing team strengths in mechanical and software validation. In this position, you will act as a catalyst for innovation by identifying opportunities to modernize our methodologies, upgrade our testing facilities, and develop persuasive business cases justifying the acquisition of cutting-edge equipment to help us achieve our goal of becoming an industry-leading validation team.

Responsibilities

• Own, supplement, and execute testing prescribed within each system DVP&R in collaboration with design counterparts, strictly adhering to program phase deadlines
• Perform and manage development, validation, and regulatory compliance testing utilizing internal assets or external laboratories to support product development goals
• Validate powertrain systems with a focus on EV battery integration, thermal management, and power distribution
• Instrument mock-ups, sub-systems, and full vehicles with data acquisition equipment to collect mechanical, electrical, aerodynamic, and thermal data
• Post-process raw test data to provide actionable design recommendations and root-cause solutions, documenting findings within a comprehensive report
• Actively participate in simulation activities, ensuring that test and analysis boundary conditions are aligned to improve correlation
• Relentlessly pursue optimization in methodologies, technologies, workflows, and products to improve safety, quality, reliability, cost, and timing

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university
• 3+ years of engineering experience in a transportation field
• Knowledge of automotive high and low voltage architectures, power distribution, circuit analysis, and associated troubleshooting methodologies
• Experience creating, supplementing, and executing DVP&Rs inclusive of compliance with state, federal, and Canadian requirements
• Skilled in the setup, calibration, and use of data acquisition (DAQ) systems to collect mechanical, thermal, fluid, and electrical data
• Seasoned user of commercial CAE tools, methods, and uses relating to correlation, optimization, root cause techniques, and countermeasure development
• Ability to make sense of, translate, and transform raw data into actionable insights that clarify, simplify, and improve
• History of passion for improving processes, performance, customer excitement, and company competitiveness
• Proficiency in engineering software/tools (e.g., nCode GlyphWorks, Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, MATLAB, AUTOSAR, SolidWorks, and Python scripting)
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident authorized to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with state, federal, and Canadian regulations affecting school buses
• Experience with simulation tools and capabilities and interpreting output
• Currently valid commercial driver’s license (CDL)
• Master’s degree in an engineering field

Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication with the ability to distill complex technical data into inspiring design recommendations
• Ability to foster team morale, stakeholder buy-in, and a shared sense of optimism
• Ability to anticipate and understand customer needs and provide guidance
• Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills to handle difficult and sensitive matters
• Strong project management skills with exposure to difficult or complex projects
• Ability to influence stakeholders
• Effective communication and ability to convey complex details clearly

Benefits

• Continued professional development
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 14 paid holidays
• Vacation time
• 401k matching

Work Conditions

• 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
• Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time
• Must wear appropriate PPE when and where required
• Frequent weeks working 40+ hours
• Frequent communication with people throughout the day