Talent.com
Mechanical Test Engineer
Mechanical Test EngineerGlobal Connect Technologies • Palo Alto, California, United States
No se aceptan más aplicaciones
Mechanical Test Engineer

Mechanical Test Engineer

Global Connect Technologies • Palo Alto, California, United States
Hace 19 días
Tipo de contrato
  • A tiempo completo
Descripción del trabajo

Role Overview

We need three hands-on, mechanically oriented Test Engineers who thrives in our test lab. This role balances :

  • Logistics layer - coordinating with design counterparts, collecting samples, creating JIRA tickets for technicians, and managing test sample logistics.
  • Hands-on test engineering - designing, building, and iterating on test setups.
  • Ownership mindset - treating each setup as if it were their own business, balancing speed, safety, and standardization in a fast-paced environment.

Role Overview

We need a hands-on, mechanically oriented Test Engineer who thrives in the lab. This role balances :

  • Logistics layer - coordinating with design counterparts, collecting samples, creating JIRA tickets for technicians, and managing test sample logistics.
  • Hands-on test engineering - designing, building, and iterating on test setups.
  • Ownership mindset - treating each setup as if it were their own business, balancing speed, safety, and standardization in a fast-paced environment.

    • Key Responsibilities & Skills

    1. Design & Build of Test Fixtures

  • Architect, model, and assemble frames (e.g. 80 / 20, steel, aluminum, composites) to house power systems, control electronics, and devices under test.
  • Design and build custom control boxes (e.g. microcontroller / relay / switching boards) to actuate and monitor test logic (for example, cycling chargeport latches).
  • Create harnessing from control box to devices (wiring, connectors, cable management).
  • Select and integrate components : power supplies, pumps, sensors, relays, data acquisition modules.
  • Rapid CAD design (SolidWorks or equivalent) of parts, assemblies, and fixtures.
  • Develop control scripts (Python preferred) for device actuation, chamber / chiller coordination, power cycling, data logging, error handling, interlock logic.
  • Decompose build and inspection tasks into JIRA (or equivalent) tickets, assign to technicians, and supervise execution and QA.

    • 2. Mechanical Systems & Thermal / Structural Design

  • Choose pumps, heat exchangers, motors, actuators (servo, stepper, etc.) appropriate for the thermal, flow, mechanical load of the DUT.
  • Design structural supports, fixtures, mounting surfaces, force-transmitting links, and vibration isolation, considering stiffness, thermal expansion, alignment tolerances, and safety margins.
  • Apply GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) to ensure fixture elements match tolerances and reduce mismatch / rework.
  • Fabricate custom parts (machining, cutting, bending, welding) or coordinate with external machine shops when needed.
  • Understand mechanical stresses, thermal expansion, material selection (e.g. aluminum vs. steel, coefficient of expansion) to preserve alignment under extreme conditions.
  • Recommend and integrate mechanical stress / load elements (e.g. clamping, thermal cycling effects, flexures) for realistic loading of bus bars, junction boxes, chargeports.

    • 3. Electrical, Instrumentation & Signal Integrity

  • Interpret datasheets and performance specs of HV components (contactors, shunts, relays, power converters).
  • Size wiring harnesses (gauge, insulation, derating), design noise mitigation (shielding, twisted pairs, grounding), and design simple circuits (e.g. resistor dummy loads, balancing circuits) to support test logic.
  • Integrate measurement hardware : NI DAQ systems, thermocouples, RTDs, pressure sensors, accelerometers, current & voltage sensors.
  • Incorporate HV safety features : interlocks, watchdogs, fault detection, safe sequencing, insulation monitoring, and emergency shutdown paths.
  • Ensure signal timing, synchronization, sample rate, and data integrity across instrumentation channels.

    • 4. Equipment & Test Facility Integration

  • Work with environmental chambers : plan safe ramp-down sequences (e.g. humidity first), account for thermal soak and enclosure constraints.
  • Interface with chillers / cooling systems to integrate temperature setpoints into test profiles and manage coolant circulation.
  • Use advanced / bi-directional power supplies (grid simulators, programmable sources) with SCPI, CAN, GPIB, Ethernet, LXI or RS-232 protocols.
  • Manage rack systems : power supplies, controllers, cabling, cooling, harness routing, cable length constraints.
  • Configure and validate test stands to maintain safety clearance, mechanical access, serviceability, and reliability over long test durations.

    • 5. Reliability & Environmental Testing Expertise

  • Understand and design for reliability test methods common in EV and power component space :
  • PTCE (Powered Thermal Cycling Endurance)
  • HTOE (High Temperature Operating Endurance)
  • HTHE (High Temperature Humidity Endurance)
  • IP (Ingress Protection / environmental sealing tests)
  • Develop or adapt fixtures and setups for these tests (thermal cycling, humidity, load cycling) and interpret resulting data for degradation / failure modes.
  • Use test data and models to accelerate test times (e.g. using real-world load profiles) while maintaining statistical confidence.
  • Understand aging, fatigue, electromigration, thermal cycling cracks, insulation breakdown, corrosion or humidity-related degradation patterns as inputs to design feedback.

    • 6. Validation, Calibration & Fixture Quality Assurance

  • Validate fixtures : check alignment, clearance, actuation, contact integrity, wiring, and signal continuity.
  • Perform fixture checkout and verification prior to production test runs (probe hits, wire verification, interlock tests).
  • Maintain calibration schedules for sensors and instrumentation to ensure accuracy over long-term usage.
  • Monitor fixture drift, failure modes, and redundancy in critical paths (spare sensors, fallback mechanisms).
  • Design with safety in mind : include grounding kits, proper shielding, and ensure human safety in presence of HV.

    • Target Industries for Candidates

  • Automotive (EVs, Tier-1 suppliers in power electronics, HV systems)
  • Aerospace / defense (environmental test, reliability)
  • Industrial power systems (HV equipment, grid simulation, power distribution)
  • Electronics testing labs with fixture design / validation experience

    • Pre-Screening Questions (with examples of good answers)

  • Can you describe a time you designed and built a custom test fixture from scratch?
  • Follow-up : How did you choose pumps, power supplies, sensors, and framing?
  • Follow-up : How did CAD and scripting factor into your solution?
  • Good answer : Candidate explains building a fixture using 80 / 20 framing, a relay-controlled PSU with Arduino, custom harnessing, and Python scripting for cycling and logging data.
  • In an 85°C / 85%RH environmental test, what do you ramp down first before opening the chamber?
  • Good answer : Humidity first, otherwise condensation risks damaging the samples.
  • How would you reduce electrical noise in a setup with HV and LV wiring running together?
  • Good answer : Separate HV and LV harnesses, use twisted pairs, shielding, and proper grounding.
  • How do you decide what pump, heat exchanger, or motor to use in a thermal or mechanical test setup?
  • Good answer : Candidate refers to flow / pressure / heat load calculations, safety margins, and equipment specs matched to test needs.
  • Tell us about your experience with instrumentation (DAQs, thermocouples, accelerometers).
  • Good answer : Candidate describes specific examples of DAQ integration, sensor calibration, and how they analyzed and communicated results.

    • Quick Checklist for Recruiters

    Must-Have :

  • Hands-on, comfortable designing AND building test setups
  • Mechanical + electrical fundamentals (framing, pumps, heat exchangers, wiring)
  • CAD (SolidWorks preferred)
  • Python scripting (or similar)
  • HV safety awareness

    • Preferred :

  • Experience with NI DAQs, thermocouples, accelerometers
  • GD&T knowledge / certification
  • Familiarity with environmental chambers and liquid cooling
  • Knowledge of power supply communication protocols (CAN, GPIB, SCPI, etc.)
  • Reliability testing knowledge : IP, PTCE, HTOE, HTHE

    • Mindset :

  • Scrappy, ownership-driven, hands-on
  • Comfortable balancing speed, safety, and standardization
  • Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic lab environment
    • Crear una alerta de empleo para esta búsqueda

    Mechanical Engineer • Palo Alto, California, United States

    Ofertas relacionadas
    Test Engineer, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)

    Test Engineer, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL)

    Nimble • San Francisco, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    You will be taking on a critical responsibility for ensuring the reliability and functional safety of our core robotics control software and firmware. This role sits at the intersection of developme...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace más de 30 días • Oferta promocionada
    Senior Test Engineer, End-of-Line (EOL)

    Senior Test Engineer, End-of-Line (EOL)

    Nimble • San Francisco, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    Senior Test Engineer, End-of-Line (EOL).Nimble is a robotics and AI company inventing and scaling autonomous logistics with intelligent robots to enable fast, efficient, and sustainable commerce.We...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace más de 30 días • Oferta promocionada
    Senior Test Development Software Engineer - Aerial

    Senior Test Development Software Engineer - Aerial

    NVIDIA • Santa Clara, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    Senior Test Development Software Engineer – Aerial.Base salary range : $136,000 – $264,500 per year.We are looking for someone passionate about quality assurance. You’ll collaborate with cross‑functi...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace más de 30 días • Oferta promocionada
    Software Development Test Engineer

    Software Development Test Engineer

    Cisco Systems, Inc. • Milpitas, California, United States
    A tiempo completo
    We are looking for candidates local to San Jose as this is a hybrid role requiring at least 3 days per week in the office • • •. The Cisco Distributed System Engineering (DSE) group is at the forefront...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace menos de 1 hora • Oferta promocionada • Nueva oferta
    Test Req

    Test Req

    Visa • Union City, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    Visa is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating more than 215 billion payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 20...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace más de 30 días • Oferta promocionada
    Test Engineer, Manufacturing

    Test Engineer, Manufacturing

    Sesame • San Francisco, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    Sesame believes in a future where computers are lifelike - with the ability to see, hear, and collaborate with us in ways that feel natural and human. With this vision, we're designing a new kind of...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace 7 días • Oferta promocionada
    Test Engineer

    Test Engineer

    Poseidon Aerospace • San Francisco, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    As a Test Engineer at Poseidon Aerospace, you will lead the planning, execution, and analysis of all testing for our unmanned cargo aircraft. You’ll own the validation process from defining test obj...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace 7 días • Oferta promocionada
    Sr. Mechanical Test Engineer, Cell Engineering

    Sr. Mechanical Test Engineer, Cell Engineering

    Tesla Motors, Inc. • Palo Alto, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    As a member of the cell modeling team, this engineer will build out mechanical analysis methods to solve complex problems, developing and recommending tests and models to improve battery cell desig...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace 5 días • Oferta promocionada
    Software Engineer in Test

    Software Engineer in Test

    Loft Orbital • San Francisco, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    Loft Orbital is looking for a Software Engineer in Test to join our Onboard Software Solutions team.The Onboard Software Solutions Team is responsible for creating, configuring, and deploying all o...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace 4 días • Oferta promocionada
    Manufacturing Test Engineer, Energy Storage

    Manufacturing Test Engineer, Energy Storage

    Redwood Materials • San Francisco, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    Redwood Materials was founded in 2017 to create a circular supply chain for electric vehicles and clean energy products, making them more sustainable and driving down the cost for batteries.We’re d...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace más de 30 días • Oferta promocionada
    Senior Vehicle Test Engineer

    Senior Vehicle Test Engineer

    Applied Intuition • Sunnyvale, California, USA
    A tiempo completo
    Applied Intuition is the vehicle intelligence company that accelerates the global adoption of safe AI-driven machines.Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion following its recent Series F fun...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace 3 días • Oferta promocionada
    ATE Test Development Engineer

    ATE Test Development Engineer

    Broadcom • San Jose, California, USA
    A tiempo completo
    If you are a first time user please create your candidatelogin account before you apply for a job.Click Sign In > Create Account). If you already have a Candidate Account please Sign-In before yo...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace 2 horas • Oferta promocionada • Nueva oferta
    Associate Test Engineer - Contract Role

    Associate Test Engineer - Contract Role

    Picarro • Santa Clara, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    Associate Test Engineer - Contract Role.Picarro is seeking an Associate Test Engineer for a challenging role configuring, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing complex gas analyzing systems at Pi...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace más de 30 días • Oferta promocionada
    Mechanical Engineer V

    Mechanical Engineer V

    Spectraforce Technologies • Pleasanton, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    Performs complex activities in the testing and sustaining of class II and class III mechanical circulatory support products including Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs), extracorporeal blood pumps, ...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace 3 días • Oferta promocionada
    Hands-on Hardware Test Engineer (On-site)

    Hands-on Hardware Test Engineer (On-site)

    Cognizant • Palo Alto, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    A leading technology consulting firm is seeking a Hardware Test Engineer to support product manufacturing and testing.The successful candidate will have at least 2 years of experience in hardware d...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace 2 días • Oferta promocionada
    Senior Software QA Test Development Engineer

    Senior Software QA Test Development Engineer

    Nvidia Corporation • Santa Clara, CA, United States
    A tiempo completo
    NVIDIA is the world leader in GPU Computing.We are passionate about markets include gaming, automotive, vision, HPC, datacenters and networking in addition to our traditional OEM business.NVIDIA is...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace 3 días • Oferta promocionada
    Manufacturing Test Software Engineer

    Manufacturing Test Software Engineer

    Ouster • San Francisco, CA, US
    A tiempo completo
    Quick Apply
    At Ouster, we build sensors and tools for engineers, roboticists, and researchers, so they can make the world safer and more efficient. We've transformed LIDAR from an analog device with thousands o...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace más de 30 días
    Flight Software Test Engineer

    Flight Software Test Engineer

    Reliable Robotics • Mountain View, CA, United States
    Indefinido
    We're building safety-enhancing technology for aviation that will save lives.Automated aviation systems will enable a future where air transportation is safer, more convenient and fundamentally tra...Mostrar más
    Última actualización: hace más de 30 días • Oferta promocionada