Product Validation Engineer

The Product Validation Engineer plays a key role in the development of new products by owning the qualification of the designs to the required technical specifications of the product. This individual participates in the design process, partnering with YETI Design Engineers, to create Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (DFMEA), developing Design Validation Plans and Reports (DVP&R), Test Plans, and working with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Test Technicians, and Product Management to ensure that new products and sustaining programs are fully validated and ready for production. 
 

Responsibilities: 
• Manage the testing and validation of multiple projects at a time across a variety of product categories 
• Creatively generate well-designed tests for unique products not defined by industry standards 
• Trial and benchmark new test ideas to determine potential effectiveness and consistency of results 
• Serves as a product validation expert on project core teams 
• Leverage advanced knowledge of mechanical design principles and troubleshooting techniques using a variety of lab instruments and/or shop equipment 
• Ability to convert customer use case to test protocol and requirement. 
• Participate in the training and development of lab technicians and engineers on equipment and procedures as they’re developed and implemented 
• Oversee and be responsible for output of lab technician’s technical reporting 
• Interact with and audit 3rd party test labs and supplier test results (Could require domestic and international travel) 

Qualifications and Attributes: 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Material Science, Chemistry or similar area of study 
• 4-6 years of design qualification experience, which includes establishing, testing and evaluating product qualifications against specifications. 
• Advanced knowledge of industry standards applicable to the design and test of products 
• Strong technical background - heat transfer, impact, vibration, abrasion, environmental, life/cycle testing, material validation, and process validation 
• Root Cause Analysis experience in mix material product assemblies 
• Proven record of accomplishment in the design and build of test equipment to support thermal, mechanical, repetitive motion and/or other testing needs 
• Proficient with electronic and mechanical test equipment 
• Excellent social, interpersonal, and presentation/communication skills - ability to convey knowledge, skills, and results to NPD customers, lab engineers, technicians, and other applicable personnel 
• Technical writing skills a must 
• Proficient in reading and/or producing schematics and drawings, identifying components, and component values via CAD design tools (SolidWorks preferred) 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and similar products (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, etc.) 
• Product Design experience 
• FEA experience 
• Experience with statical analysis software (JMP, Minitab) 
• Injection molding and/or textiles experience 
• Regulatory compliance experience 
• Color science experience a plus 

Physical Requirements: 
• Operate office equipment and technology 
• Bend, lift, open, and move product up to 50 pounds as needed