Test Planning Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Test Planning Engineer

The Test Planning Engineer supports transaxle, engine, transmission, and axle development programs by planning and coordinating prototype builds, managing bills of materials, and ensuring test configurations reflect the latest design intent. This role combines structured problem-solving, detailed BOM and part tracking, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver well-planned endurance tests, teardown activities, and hardware logistics in a dynamic automotive engineering environment.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage prototype bills of materials for engine, transmission, and axle development programs.
• Create and process change orders to integrate design changes into prototype bills of materials.
• Define hardware upgrade packages to ensure prototype configurations are representative of the latest design.
• Develop and maintain prototype build requirements, endurance test plans, and teardown schedules for engine, transmission, and axle programs.
• Utilize global and regional tools to maintain individual bills of materials and test plans.
• Analyze test and project data, draw conclusions, and provide clear recommendations to the management team.
• Apply structured problem-solving methods to identify root causes and develop timely corrective actions.
• Issue work orders, monitor progress, and resolve problems to ensure timely completion of projects.
• Conduct project work thoroughly, document results, draw conclusions, and present recommendations for management review.
• Create detailed project plans and timelines and assist management in defining budget requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities with regional and global counterparts in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Sales, Purchasing, and Suppliers.
• Maintain a daily record of work hours by project to support accurate tracking and reporting.
• Align closely with designers and design teams to ensure consistency between design intent and prototype builds.
• Ensure all parts in an assembly are correctly represented and managed within the bill of materials.
• Plan and coordinate forward-looking alignment on specific due dates and deliverables for test and build activities.
• Manage engineering numbers and part numbers and oversee ordering of parts required for prototype and test activities.
• Support vehicle test activities by managing hardware, coordinating test cells, and ensuring availability of required components.
• Align with the procurement team in the engineering lab to track parts and provide timely updates to assigned engineers globally.
• Coordinate pre-aging of aftertreatment systems in the lab and plan logistics for deployment into test programs.
• Consult with Research and Development engineers to confirm release dates and identify risks or issues that may impact deadlines.
• Manage data logger inventory to support engineering programs and field investigation demands.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 2 years of experience within the automotive industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (required to be considered).
• Hands-on experience with bills of materials (BOM) creation, maintenance, and management.
• Experience with prototype hardware planning and test planning for powertrain or driveline components such as engines, transmissions, axles, or transaxles.
• Proficiency in managing change orders and integrating design changes into prototype BOMs.
• Ability to define and manage hardware upgrade packages to maintain current prototype configurations.
• Strong mechanical engineering background relevant to automotive systems.
• Experience in part tracking, including engineering numbers, part numbers, and ordering processes.
• Demonstrated ability to use structured problem-solving methods to identify root causes and define corrective actions.
• Competence in analyzing technical and project data, drawing conclusions, and providing actionable recommendations.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional activities with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Sales, Purchasing, and Suppliers.
• Capability to develop project plans, timelines, and support budget definition for engineering projects.
• Strong organizational skills for managing multiple projects, deadlines, and detailed records of work hours.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with global and regional tools for maintaining bills of materials and test plans.
• background in vehicle test environments, including managing hardware and test cells.
• Familiarity with coordination and logistics for aftertreatment system pre-aging and deployment.
• Experience working closely with designers and design teams to align designs and prototype builds.
• Exposure to managing data logger inventory and supporting field investigations.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with regional and global counterparts and provide clear updates to stakeholders.
• Ability to anticipate scheduling and logistics needs and support forward planning to meet specific due dates.

Work Environment

This position is based onsite in Detroit, MI, within an automotive engineering and test environment. The role involves close collaboration with engineering labs, procurement teams, design teams, and cross-functional partners across regional and global locations. Work is primarily conducted in an office and laboratory setting, with regular interaction with vehicle tests, prototype hardware, and test cells. The environment emphasizes structured planning, detailed documentation, and coordination of parts, equipment, and test schedules to support ongoing development programs.

This is a Permanent position based out of Detroit, MI.

The pay range for this position is $46.00 - $50.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Detroit,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 29, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.