Mechanical Test & Validation Engineer (Automotive)
Job Overview
We’re ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.
As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.
When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you’ll collaborate on some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
Job Description:
- We are looking for a hands-on Mechanical Engineer with strong experience in automotive testing, validation, materials, and laboratory operations.
- The candidate will be responsible for the creation and execution of DVP&R for multiple OEMs, conducting a wide range of material, paint, mechanical, and environmental tests both internally and in collaboration with external laboratories.
- This role requires autonomy, strong technical knowledge of materials and adhesives, and the ability to independently run and validate tests from start to finish.
Key Responsibilities
DVP&R Creation & Management
- Develop, manage, and execute DVP&R plans for different automotive OEMs.
- Define test plans, validation strategies, acceptance criteria, and reporting timelines.
- Coordinate directly with OEMs to ensure compliance with customer-specific standards and expectations.
Testing & Validation Activities
- Material Testing (Automotive Resins)
- Flexural strength
- Impact resistance
- Chemical resistance
- Paint adhesion on plastic substrates
- Full understanding of automotive plastic materials and failure modes
Paint-on-Plastic Testing
- Adhesion testing
- Steam jet / high pressure washer
- Humidity exposure
- High/low temperature tests
- Accelerated weathering
- Stone chip resistance
- Chemical resistance
- Impact testing
Thermo-Mechanical Assembly Testing
- Thermal cycling, deformation, thermo-mechanical behavior
- Pull tests using force gauges or universal tensile machines
- Shaker / vibration tests
- Climatic chamber tests (temperature, humidity cycles)
- Infrared (IR) testing
- Sunload testing
Test Fixture Development
- Concept creation, design, and validation of test fixtures.
- Support fixture prototype production and ensure suitability for testing requirements.
Adhesives & Bonding Technologies
- Adhesive tape validation and performance assessment.
- Glue and adhesive failure mode analysis.
- Knowledge of bonding processes for automotive components.
Laboratory Operations
- Independently set up, run, and document tests using internal lab equipment.
- Establish internal test methods aligned with customer/OEM requirements.
- Ensure reproducibility, traceability, and full compliance with standards.
Standards & Compliance
- Strong knowledge of international norms and standards (ISO, ASTM, DIN, SAE, OEM-specific).
- Ensure all testing and documentation comply with applicable requirements.
Qualifications & Profile
- Mechanical Engineer with 3+ years of automotive experience.
- Hands-on testing background; able to independently execute mechanical, climatic, and material tests.
- Strong understanding of plastics, coatings, adhesives (tapes & glues), and paint processes.
- Experience working with external laboratories for material, paint, and thermo-mechanical testing.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills.
- Knowledge of lab equipment, measurement tools, fixtures, and internal validation processes.
ALTEN Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our Policy is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual’s age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or veteran status.
Please beware of job seeker scams and see this important notice on our careers page for more information about our recruiting process.
Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.