Engineering Test and Validation Manager

Diode Dynamics; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision plans (80%+

Life insurance and short-term disabled

401(k) match up to 4%

Onsite fitness center

Paid holidays (9 days)

Paid time off & parental leave

Profit-sharing up to 5%

Job summary

Diode Dynamics seeks an Engineering Validation Manager to lead design and production validation for automotive LED lighting products. You will own the DVP from early development, ensure specs reference standards, and manage validation across environmental, photometric, and EMI/EMC performance.

You will lead the in-house Lab, drive ISO 17025 certification, and coordinate external labs when needed, balancing timelines and costs while supporting cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical, Mechanical, Optical, or related Engineering field.
• 5+ years of experience in product validation, test engineering, or laboratory management.
• Strong working knowledge of automotive validation processes including environmental, photometric, electrical performance, and EMI/EMC.
• Hands-on experience writing and executing DVP/DVP&R and production validation activities.
• Familiarity with SAE, DOT, ECE, ISO, MIL, ASTM, IEC requirements and customer specs.
• Experience managing or operating a test laboratory; ISO 17025 accreditation is a plus.
• Ability to design fixtures/jigs, operate lab equipment, and interpret test data.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills for validation reports.
• Self-starter in a fast-paced environment with good organization and multi-project management.
• Experience coordinating external lab testing and vendor relationships preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead early involvement in new product projects: establish and approve the DVP from start and ensure drawings reference test standards.
• Own design validation and production validation for new and existing products (environmental, photometric, EMI/EMC).
• Manage the in-house Validation Lab including equipment maintenance, calibration, logging, fixtures, scheduling, and operations.
• Drive ISO 17025 certification: establish and maintain quality systems, procedures, and docs.
• Plan, execute, and oversee validation testing of prototypes, first articles, and production samples per DVP and standards.
• Analyze test data, write validation reports, and support external compliance reporting (DOT/SAE).
• Coordinate testing with external labs when needed, ensuring timelines, data quality, and cost control.
• Test products on vehicles to ensure fitment and on-vehicle performance goals.
• Collaborate with Design Engineering to provide validation support and drive design improvements.
• Develop and maintain standard test procedures and lab best practices.
• Support Marketing/Sales with product performance data and competitive testing.
• Lead and develop the Test Engineering team and vendor relationships.

Skills

Validation leadership

Test engineering

Lab management

DVP/DVP&R

Electrical/optical engineering

Documentation & reporting

Vendor coordination

On-site operations

Automotive testing

Data interpretation

Education

BS in Electrical, Mechanical, Optical, or related Engineering field

Tools

Lab equipment

Jig/fixture design

Job description

Diode Dynamics is a manufacturer of automotive LED lighting and accessories. Located in St. Charles, Missouri, our innovative products and superior service are rapidly making us one of the leading companies in the industry. To learn more, please visit our website at http://www.diodedynamics.com.

Job Description

As the Engineering Validation Manager at Diode Dynamics, you will lead all design and production validation activities for our automotive LED lighting products. You will own the Design Validation Plan (DVP) from the earliest stages of new product development, ensure engineering drawings and specifications correctly reference applicable test standards, and manage the end-to-end validation process, conducting testing in our in-house lab, on vehicles in our test garage, and through external laboratories when needed. You will manage the Test Engineering team and drive the lab toward ISO 17025 certification. You will become a key member of the engineering team in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead early involvement in new product projects: establish and approve the Design Validation Plan (DVP) from the start of each project, and ensure all engineering drawings and specifications properly reference the required test standards.
• Own design validation and production validation activities for new and existing products, covering environmental, photometric, and EMI/EMC performance.
• Manage the in-house Validation Lab, including equipment maintenance, calibration, logging, fixture/jig design and fabrication, scheduling, and day-to-day operations.
• Drive the laboratory toward ISO 17025 certification, establishing and maintaining the quality system, procedures, and documentation required for certification.
• Plan, execute, and oversee validation testing of prototypes, first articles, and production samples according to the DVP and applicable standards (SAE, DOT, ECE, ISO, ASTM, IEC, and customer-specific requirements).
• Analyze test data, write clear and professional validation reports, and support external compliance reporting (including DOT/SAE certification documentation).
• Coordinate and manage testing with external laboratories when internal capability or capacity is insufficient, ensuring timelines, data quality, and cost control.
• Work hands-on to test products on vehicles to ensure fitment and on-vehicle performance goals are achieved.
• Collaborate closely with Design Engineering throughout the product development cycle to provide validation support, interpret results, and drive design improvements.
• Develop and maintain standard test procedures, work instructions, and laboratory best practices.
• Support Marketing and Sales with product performance data, competitive testing, and data interpretation as needed.
• Manage and develop the Test Engineering team, providing technical guidance, prioritization, and professional growth.

Qualifications:

• BS in Electrical, Mechanical, Optical, or related Engineering field.
• 5+ years of experience in product validation, test engineering, or laboratory management, preferably with automotive lighting, LED products, or similar electromechanical components.
• Strong working knowledge of automotive validation processes, including environmental testing (thermal, vibration, humidity, corrosion, etc.), photometry, electrical performance, and EMI/EMC.
• Hands-on experience writing and executing Design Validation Plans (DVP/DVP&R) and production validation activities.
• Familiarity with relevant standards: SAE (including photometric and durability standards), DOT, ECE, ISO, MIL, ASTM, IEC, and customer-specific requirements.
• Experience managing or operating a test laboratory; prior involvement with ISO 17025 accreditation is a strong plus.
• Ability to design fixtures/jigs, operate laboratory equipment, and interpret complex test data.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills for clear validation reports and cross-functional collaboration.
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment, with strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience coordinating external lab testing and managing vendor relationships preferred.
• On-site attendance required. Working hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 am – 4 pm (with flexibility for critical test schedules as needed).
• Competitive salary based on experience ($90,000-120,000)
• 80% company-paid health, dental, and vision plans effective the 1st of the month after your start date.
• 100% company-paid life insurance and short-term disability plans.
• 401(k): Full match up to 4% salary, eligible after 90 days of employment.
• Onsite fitness center, open 24/7.
• All major holidays off and paid (9 days per year).
• Paid time off and parental leave.
• Employee profit-sharing plan: Up to 5% of salary as bonus possible, based on financial performance.