Product Verification & Validation Engineer

Job Description Job Description BUILT TO CONNECT Astec is a global, environmentally focused infrastructure and manufacturing company of road building and aggregate processing (mining) equipment. Our mission is to design and build the most innovative products for the industries we serve. Leveraging innovative solutions and technologies, we serve customers all over the world. ABOUT THE POSITION Under general supervision of the Engineering Manager, the Test Engineer is to lead product verification and validation activities for new product development and continuous improvement engineering. Test Engineers can be asked to travel to develop business relationships with customers, dealers, and suppliers. They will also work with design engineers and participate in product focus groups to gain critical customer application and design suggestions which assist in the development of the product lines. The preferred site location for this open position is Yankton, South Dakota, or Sterling Illinois or Eugene, Oregon. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (may include but not limited to) Lead a cross functional testing program within New Product Development (NPD) Engineering that verifies and validates new and updated designs. Work with product teams within NPD projects to determine machine, component, and system level testing requirements. Provide support to Quality Improvement teams in determining test requirements for field quality issues. Work with Continuous Improvement engineering to determine testing requirements for cost reduction projects or design improvements. Create and maintain test plans and schedules. Measurement, collection and analysis of data from validation activities utilizing Dewesoft multichannel DAQ and Dewesoft X software. Produce reports from test data and draw conclusions from the test data to provide recommendations to engineering teams. Participate in establishment of standards, processes, and guidelines for validation of machines, systems, and controls. Manage test equipment including inventory, organization, and calibration. Participate in design reviews to provide inputs to validation and verification testing and interpretation of test results. SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY Must be able to lead and coordinate project efforts across multi-functional teams. This includes coordinating testing efforts, giving detailed instructions to other personnel, and frequently interacting with personnel from other departments. INTERNAL CONTROLS AUTHORITY Test Engineer is responsible for certain internal control responsibilities. These internal control responsibilities have been verbally communicated to the Test Engineer and periodic feedback is provided as it relates to the performance of these internal control responsibilities. MINIMUM EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Job-related Skills and Abilities Maintain positive, cooperative working relationships by working, interacting, and communicating with various personalities, getting along with customers, vendors, co-workers and management, working both individually and as part of a team Use interpersonal skills to be an effective member of cross-functional project teams from concept to testing, and ultimately to production Proficient with personal computing, Microsoft Office Suite, 3-D CAD software applications (SolidWorks preferred), Data Acquisition Systems (Dewesoft preferred), and ERP systems (Oracle preferred) Good organization and time-management skills Ability to set daily priorities and adjust to sudden changes in project/priority and manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a positive fashion Willingness to accept responsibility for assigned tasks and take on new challenges Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment on a customary and regular basis Responsible for achieving due dates and pre-defined requirements defined by management Follow internal company standards when creating or inputting data Follow and actively support all company policies and procedures, to include a primary emphasis on safe operations Follow Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity program guidelines at all times Perform work according to supervisor's directives when requested Document assigned tasks as required Language Skills Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations Ability to write effective reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public Math Skills Ability to comprehend and apply principles of modern algebra, analytical geometry and trigonometry Reasoning Ability Skills Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables Experience/Knowledge Experience in New Product Development efforts with an emphasis on validation. Knowledgeable in the selection and application of test equipment, systems, and sensors. Knowledgeable and experienced with structural, hydraulic, electrical, and controls systems. Experience in selection, installation and operation of gauges and sensors including strain, pressure, temperature, flow, sound, vibration, and analog. Ability to communicate with product teams. Knowledgeable in collection and analysis of vibration data Experience in preparing and presenting results of validation testing to product groups. Experienced in failure/root cause analysis of systems, components, and machines. Education Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Agriculture, Mechatronics, Industrial, Electrical Engineering or related field. SAFETY Astec is dedicated to a culture of Behavior Based SAFETY and a Healthy Environment! Proficient in promoting safe and healthy work environment Notify supervisor of product discrepancies or equipment malfunctions Adhere to established company policies and procedures paying special attention to safety regulations Report defective materials, equipment, or questionable conditions to the supervisor/manager to identify and correct the root cause Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with training guidelines PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position a minimum of 50% of the time, move and frequently operate a computer and other office equipment and occasionally properly employ objects, tools and/or controls. The employee is frequently required to communicate and exchange accurate information. The employee is regularly required to reach and occasionally attain non-standard physical positions for varying amounts of time. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must regularly transport up to 10 pounds and occasionally transport up to 25 pounds. Lifting devices must be used or help must be requested for anything over 25 pounds. Required to occasionally ascend/descend, balance and work at various heights. Ability to travel by land and/or air for extended periods of time. Our Culture and Values Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work. Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business Respect for all individuals Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success WORK ENVIRONMENT Mines, road construction and forestry job site exposures include exposure to climate conditions indicative of the geographic location and the season. Field duties require that the employee work in close proximity to heavy roadbuilding and construction equipment (dump trucks, loaders, cranes, crushers, pavers, cold planers, material transfer vehicles, stabilizers, wheel loaders, excavators, skidders, feller buncher, chippers, grinders etc.) and traffic associated with mines, road construction, forestry and recycling sites. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places, toxic or caustic chemicals, vibration and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in this environment is usually loud and may require hearing protection. The employee is occasionally exposed to travel hazards associated with automobile and/or airplane travel. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.