Contract Engineer - Build & Validate Heat-Transfer Test Rig

ATCO Rubber Products, Inc; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Part time

Job summary

ATCO Rubber Products, Inc. in Fort Worth, TX seeks a contract engineer to design, build, commission, and validate a heat-transfer test apparatus for internal product testing and material evaluation. The role involves hands-on leadership with shop resources to deliver a complete, operational test unit.

Responsibilities include mechanical layout, sensor selection, data acquisition, control wiring, and detailed build documentation, with emphasis on stability, safety, and repeatable measurements.

Qualifications

• Thermal systems design and analysis including energy balances and insulation effects.
• HVAC-style airflow and duct testing with measurement of pressure and flow.
• Mechanical design of test chambers, frames, fixtures, assemblies built with shop resources.
• Hands-on fabrication shop coordination with maintenance and technicians.
• PID temperature/flow control and safety interlocks with robust control logic.
• Instrumentation with RTDs/thermocouples and sensors, calibration intervals.
• Data acquisition systems to log, average, and report test data.
• Ability to validate a system with baseline runs and uncertainty analysis.
• Experience interpreting ASTM/UL/HVAC test environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review test requirements and identify equipment and measurement needs for the test unit.
• Design the test apparatus and select heaters, sensors, and data acquisition hardware.
• Develop controls concept and safety devices; coordinate with in-house resources.
• Oversee fabrication, assembly, commissioning, and field modifications as needed.
• Document calibration, procedures, and maintenance for reliable operation.
• Provide a validation report demonstrating repeatability and stability of the system.

Skills

Thermal design

Airflow systems

Mechanical design

Shop execution

Controls automation

Instrumentation calibration

Data acquisition

Validation & reporting

Standards-based engineering

Job description

ATCO Rubber Products, Inc. in Fort Worth, TX seeks a contract engineer to design, build, commission, and validate a heat-transfer test apparatus for internal product testing and material evaluation. The role involves hands-on leadership with shop resources to deliver a complete, operational test unit.

Responsibilities include mechanical layout, sensor selection, data acquisition, control wiring, and detailed build documentation, with emphasis on stability, safety, and repeatable measurements.