Product Validation Engineer

yeticoolers; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

YETI seeks a Product Validation Engineer in Austin to shape performance specs for new products and translate consumer workflows into testing requirements. You will collaborate with product managers, design engineers, and industrial designers to ensure reliable performance.

The role emphasizes turning customer use cases into test protocols, leveraging market research and AI-enabled analysis to drive data-informed decisions. Strong communication and detail orientation are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, data science, or related field.
• 2+ years in test development or data analytics.
• Interest in customer data, surveys, or feedback tools.
• Ability to summarize findings visually (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with AI tools for data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Convert customer use cases into test protocols.
• Use market research to define use conditions for new products.
• Use AI for planning, executing, and analyzing consumer studies.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data from multiple formats.
• Collaborate with product management and industrial design to set testing baselines.

Skills

Test development

Data analytics

AI tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Survey data

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Qualtrics

Job description

At YETI, we believe that time spent outdoors matters more than ever and our gear can make that time extraordinary. When you work here, you'll have the opportunity to create exceptional, meaningful work and problem solve with innovative team members by your side. Together, you'll help our customers get the high-quality gear they need to make the most of their adventures. We are BUILT FOR THE WILD.

About the Role

The Product Validation Engineer plays a key role in the development of new products by establishing required technical specifications of the product. This individual participates in the design process, partnering with YETI Industrial Designers, Product Managers and Design Engineers to establish performance requirements for new products. This role will partner closely with product management and Industrial design to understand the consumer work flow and translate that into development requirements.

What You'll Do

• Convert customer use cases into test protocol and requirements.
• Use market research methodologies and data from surveys, interviews, prototype user testing, to determine appropriate use conditions for new products.
• Use AI for planning, executing, and analyzing consumer studies (alongside me and the templates I could create).
• Use your data analysis skills for analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data in various formats (e.g. excel, transcripts, within survey platforms like Qualtrics).
• Partner with product management and industrial design to understand the target consumer, how they intend to use, or may misuse, the product and use this information to determine appropriate testing baselines.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, data science or similar area of study preferred.
• Greater than 2 years of experience in test development, data analytics, engineering or related disciplines.
• Interest in working with customer data, surveys, or feedback tools.
• Ability to summarize findings in a clear, visual, and actionable way (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• A proactive mindset, strong attention to detail, and natural curiosity about how consumers use products.
• Familiarity with AI tools for data analysis.
• Proven record of accomplishment in the design and build of test equipment to support thermal, mechanical, repetitive motion and/or other testing needs.

Benefits & Perks

YETI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is at the center of everything we do for our employees. We embrace all applicants looking to bring their authentic selves to YETI and contribute to our mission of keeping the wild WILD.

All applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.

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YETI welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities.

Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require accommodation in order to apply for a job, please contact us at [e-mail].