Manager, Validation Engineer

GILLIG; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

GILLIG is seeking an experienced Product Validation Manager to lead a growing validation team in Pleasanton, CA. You will operationalize methods for system V-model validation across physical and virtual environments, owning test plans, issues, and turnarounds to ensure quality and reliability of our heavy‑duty transit products.

You will mentor engineers, drive testing standards, and collaborate with design and supply teams to deliver on-time, compliant vehicle validation and releases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 8 years gradual engineering/management experience.
• Heavy-duty automotive validation and leadership required.
• Solid experience with FMVSS, ADA, SAE, NFPA, ISO standards.

Responsibilities

• Own validation execution across components and systems in physical and virtual environments.
• Lead final validation review and sign-off; escalate risks to leadership.
• Drive root-cause investigations and corrective actions with teams.
• Manage TIR process and metrics for trend analysis.
• Oversee VSR intake, triage, and data-collection requests.
• Document and maintain a lessons-learned repository.
• Support test asset strategy and resource deployment.
• Develop and deploy engineering test standards and procedures.
• Own requirements decomposition for DVP&R/RVTM.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on testing plans.
• Mentor and manage a team of test engineers.
• Plan and design test equipment and procedures.
• Report test status, risk assessments, and mitigation plans.

Skills

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

8+ years in engineering and management

Automotive heavy-duty validation

Regulatory standards (FMVSS/ADA/SAE)

ISO 26262 / ISO 21434 knowledge

Validation engineering background

Leadership in cross-functional teams

Test planning and execution

V-model / DVP&R / RVTM familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree a plus

Tools

HIL/SIL/MIL testing

DVP&R / RVTM tooling

Test management tools

Job description

GILLIG Engineering is responsible for the development, customization, and configuration of GILLIG’s clean technology heavy-duty transit buses. We are committed to developing the most reliable buses that connect communities, eliminates congestion, and contributes to a greener environment. Our engineers are engaged in designing, analyzing, testing, launching, and problem solving across a wide range of technical areas.

Validation Engineering is responsible for the testing, simulation, and evaluation of systems, components and vehicle platforms for GILLIG’s continuously evolving product line. It is instrumental in ensuring design requirements are met and overall performance meets the harsh demands of the heavy-duty transit bus duty-cycle.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced Product Validation Manager to lead a developing team. You will be responsible for helping to operationalize and connect the methodologies and tools so we can validate the different levels of the system V-model and ensure the highest quality and reliability of our product lines. The role of the PVM is on the execution and continuous improvement of validation for assigned components, systems, and product verticals — including issue identification and resolution, ownership of validation process infrastructure (TIR, VSR, metrics), and documentation of lessons learned. This role requires a blend of technical expertise and strong operational management to deliver superior test outcomes in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

This is a hands-on, on-site role at our Pleasanton, CA office and reports to the Director of Validation.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

• Own validation execution for assigned components, systems, and product verticals (e.g., powertrain, chassis, body electronics) developing and executing test plans across physical and virtual (HIL/SIL/MIL) environments
• Responsible for the final validation review and sign-off process for assigned components and systems, escalating unresolved risks to the Director of Validation — serving as the accountable technical authority for vehicle release readiness
• Lead root-cause investigation and resolution of test issues and non-conformances, driving corrective actions with design and supplier teams through closure
• Own the Test Incident Report (TIR) process — from issue capture through disposition — and maintain the associated metrics and trends used to drive design and process improvement
• Own the Validation Service Request (VSR) intake process, triaging and fulfilling ad hoc test and data-collection requests that fall outside the planned DVP
• Document and maintain a lesson-learned repository from test issues and program retrospectives, ensuring recurring failure modes are captured and fed back into design and test standards
• Support the test asset strategy to ensure the availability, deployment, and performance of testing resources
• Develop and deploy engineering standards to define and manage various physical and virtual test procedures required to confirm compliance with vehicle and system level requirements for new models and to confirm complete traceability between requirements, test results and test reports (DVP&R, RVTM)
• Own requirements decomposition and management (DVP&R/RVTM authorship) for assigned components and systems, ensuring test coverage maps cleanly to validation requirements
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of requirements and testing plans with product quality and issue-resolution goals
• Mentor and manage a team of test engineers, fostering a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Plan and design test equipment and procedures as required to ensure successful, on time testing
• Responsible for the documentation and reporting of test status, risk assessment and mitigation plans at various phase gates thought the component and system validation process

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline, Master’s degree a plus
• Minimum 8 years of progressive engineering and management experience
• Exceptional technical and leadership responsibility in automotive, on/off highway or transportation equipment. Heavy Duty Transit experience a plus
• Operational knowledge of or experience with embedded controls and software controls for ICE or electrified powertrains, steering/suspension systems, braking systems, and body electronics, including vehicle attribute performance and testing
• High operational knowledge of FMVSS, ADA, APTA Bus Procurement Guidelines, SAE automotive and Heavy-Duty vehicle standards, NFPA, ISO 26262 (functional safety) and ISO 21434 (cybersecurity)
• Prior experience as a validation engineer, technical program manager or in a similar role, focusing on vehicle development and validation
• Deep knowledge of hardware and software diagnostics, validation, and early test escape detection methodologies.
• Strong leadership and operational management skills, with experience leading cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment
• Proven track record in managing test assets, including resource planning and deployment
• Experience conducting functional, interoperability, multi-dimensional scale, and performance tests; ability to create test plans for multi-vendor environments, optimize test coverage, and ensure adherence to manufacturing processes and safety regulations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, detail oriented, highly organized documentation practices
• Familiarity with the V-model and systems-engineering verification frameworks (e.g., DVP&R, RVTM) as applied to heavy-duty vehicle validation
• Experience establishing and running structured issue-resolution processes (e.g., TIRs, 8D / root-cause corrective action) and defining test and quality metrics to drive continuous improvement

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting/standing at a desk and working on a computer
• Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk and occasionally kneel or squat
• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to navigate manufacturing environment, comfortable around heavy machinery, tools, etc.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment, (i.e. safety glasses, bump caps, hearing protection, etc.)

EXPECTED COMPENSATION

$146,300 - $200,000/ annual salary + bonus + premium benefits

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job classification, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

GILLIG is committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace that values and respects the unique talents, experiences, and perspectives of our employees and the people we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.