Automotive Validation Engineer – HVAC /Powertrain/Thermal Systems

ALTEN Technology USA; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTEN Technology USA is seeking a Vehicle Validation Engineer with 2–4 years of automotive testing experience. You will support test planning, vehicle testing, data collection, analysis, and validation of vehicle systems under various conditions.

The role requires a mechanical/acoustic/electrical engineering background, hands-on testing skills, and knowledge of thermal and cooling systems. Candidates will collaborate with senior engineers to document procedures and results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 2–4 years of relevant engineering, automotive testing, or validation experience.
• Hands-on experience with automotive testing or validation.
• Basic to intermediate understanding of automotive systems and vehicle testing.
• Knowledge of thermal management, heat transfer, thermodynamics, HVAC, cooling systems, or related automotive systems.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of vehicle and system-level validation test plans.
• Perform hands-on vehicle testing under different operating and environmental conditions.
• Support validation activities related to thermal management, energy management, cooling systems, HVAC, or related vehicle systems.
• Set up and monitor test instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Collect and analyze vehicle test data, including temperature, pressure, flow, energy consumption, and other system parameters.
• Identify abnormal trends, test failures, and performance issues.
• Perform basic troubleshooting and root-cause analysis of validation issues.
• Work with senior engineers and cross-functional teams to resolve test and system issues.
• Develop and document test procedures, test results, and validation reports.
• Execute regression and verification testing.
• Correlate test results with engineering requirements and expected system performance.
• Participate in vehicle testing at proving grounds, test facilities, and other locations as required.

Skills

Vehicle testing

Data analysis

Test instrumentation

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Automotive/Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

CANoe/CANalyzer

CAN/CAN FD

Data acquisition tools

Job description

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.

We are seeking a Vehicle Validation Engineer with 2–4 years of experience in automotive testing, validation, or related engineering activities. The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience with vehicle or system‑level validation and some exposure to thermal management, energy management, heat transfer, thermodynamics, HVAC, or related automotive systems.

The engineer will support test planning, vehicle testing, data collection and analysis, troubleshooting, and validation of vehicle systems under a variety of operating conditions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the development and execution of vehicle and system‑level validation test plans.
• Perform hands‑on vehicle testing under different operating and environmental conditions.
• Support validation activities related to thermal management, energy management, cooling systems, HVAC, or related vehicle systems.
• Set up and monitor test instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Collect and analyze vehicle test data, including temperature, pressure, flow, energy consumption, and other system parameters.
• Identify abnormal trends, test failures, and performance issues.
• Perform basic troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis of validation issues.
• Work with senior engineers and cross‑functional teams to resolve test and system issues.
• Support test vehicle preparation and instrumentation.
• Develop and document test procedures, test results, and validation reports.
• Execute regression and verification testing.
• Correlate test results with engineering requirements and expected system performance.
• Participate in vehicle testing at proving grounds, test facilities, and other locations as required.
• Follow all applicable engineering, safety, and vehicle testing procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 2–4 years of relevant engineering, automotive testing, or validation experience.
• Hands‑on experience with automotive testing or validation.
• Basic to intermediate understanding of automotive systems and vehicle testing.
• Knowledge or experience in one or more of the following:
• Thermal Management
• Heat Transfer
• Thermodynamics
• HVAC
• Cooling Systems
• Battery Thermal Management
• Powertrain Thermal Systems
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to analyze engineering and vehicle test data.
• Good communication and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to work in a hands‑on vehicle testing environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink or similar engineering analysis tools.
• Experience with CANoe, CANalyzer, or other automotive communication tools.
• Knowledge of CAN/CAN FD.
• Experience with vehicle data acquisition and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with temperature, pressure, flow, or other automotive sensors.
• Understanding of vehicle thermal systems, cooling circuits, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, or HVAC systems.
• Exposure to EV and battery thermal management systems is a plus.
• Experience with vehicle proving‑ground or road testing.
• Valid driver's license and ability to drive test vehicles, if required.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

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.