Product Validation Test Engineer – Agricultural Equipment

Sage Ag Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

PTO

401k with company match

Job summary

Sage Ag Inc. in Clarion, Iowa, seeks a hands-on Product Validation Test Engineer for agricultural equipment, focusing on planning, executing, and documenting full-machine and subsystem tests with instrumentation.

You will collaborate with engineering teams, operate test rigs in shop and field environments, and translate test results into design feedback. A Mechanical Engineering degree and 1–3 years of test experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Agricultural Engineering preferred.
• 1–3 years in product validation or related engineering role.
• Hands-on experience with large machinery and instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and perform product verification and validation testing for complete machines and subsystems.
• Perform hands-on test setup, instrumentation, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Install sensors and data acquisition equipment on agricultural machinery.
• Communicate test results and technical findings to engineers and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Hands-on testing

Data analysis

Technical documentation

Safety procedures

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering

Tools

HBM Somat eDAQ

HBM nCode GlyphWorks

Creo CAD

Data acquisition hardware

Job description

# Product Validation Test Engineer – Agricultural EquipmentSage Ag Inc. is currently seeking a hands-on, mechanically inclined Product Validation Test Engineer – Agricultural Equipment with a strong interest in agricultural machinery, equipment operation, and product testing. Through this position, you will be working with a major agricultural equipment manufacturer supporting the development, testing, and validation of large agricultural machinery.This is a hands-on equipment testing position, not a software development or IT role. As a Product Validation Test Engineer, you will work directly with agricultural machinery to plan, set up, and conduct product tests; install and operate test instrumentation; collect and analyze machine performance data; troubleshoot issues; and communicate results to engineering teams. You will also become a regular and proficient operator of large agricultural and industrial equipment and spend significant time working in shop, machine, and field-testing environments.The ideal candidate enjoys understanding how machines work, solving mechanical problems, operating equipment, and working hands-on with test hardware while also having the technical ability to collect, analyze, document, and clearly communicate test results.Responsibilities: • Plan, coordinate, and perform product verification and validation testing for complete machines and individual subsystems • Perform hands-on test setup and teardown, machine instrumentation, data collection, analysis, and reporting in support of product verification and validation plans • Install and configure sensors, instrumentation, and data acquisition equipment on agricultural machinery • Collect full-machine and subsystem test data to verify that design solutions meet intended engineering requirements, specifications, and performance expectations • Analyze test data and clearly document test procedures, conditions, observations, results, and identified issues • Communicate test results and technical findings to engineering and cross-functional teams to support issue prioritization and resolution • Work collaboratively with product engineering, engineering support, technicians, and other functional groups to accomplish testing and product development objectives • Provide test data, observations, and hands-on technical feedback to support the development and evaluation of design solutions • Coordinate portions of testing activities with technicians, engineers, and other team members as needed • Become a safe and proficient operator of large agricultural and industrial equipment, including self-propelled agricultural machinery, forklifts, and other applicable equipment • Perform machine setup, inspections, troubleshooting, and preparation in support of testing activities • Provide technical testing and engineering support to manufacturing, marketing, customer support, and other functional teams as needed • Manage multiple testing activities and project priorities simultaneously • Maintain test equipment, instrumentation, tools, and work areas in a safe and organized condition • Follow established safety procedures while performing testing and operating or working around large machinery • Travel to additional manufacturing, testing, and field locations as project needs requireQualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or a related engineering field preferred • 1-3 years of previous experience in product validation, product testing, engineering, or a related technical position • Demonstrated mechanical aptitude through education, professional experience, or relevant hands-on experience • Strong interest in agricultural machinery, mechanical systems, equipment operation, and hands-on product testing • Ability to understand engineering requirements and translate them into effective test activities • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret and communicate test results • Comfortable performing hands-on work with large machinery, mechanical systems, instrumentation, and test equipmentAbility and willingness to learn to safely operate large agricultural and industrial equipment • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage several testing activities simultaneously • Ability to accurately document test procedures, results, and technical findings • Strong written and verbal communication skills • Ability to work effectively both independently and within cross-functional engineering teams • Valid U.S. Drivers License with a clean driving record • Willingness to travel occasionally to manufacturing, field-testing, or other project locationsPhysical and Field Requirements: • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds • Ability to safely enter and exit large agricultural equipment, trucks, forklifts, and other machinery • Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and perform hands-on testing and equipment setup for extended periods • Ability to work in shop, manufacturing, outdoor, and field-testing environments • Ability to work outdoors in varying weather, temperature, terrain, dust, and operating conditions • Comfortable working in and around operating agricultural and industrial machinery • Ability to safely handle, install, remove, and transport test instrumentation, data acquisition equipment, tools, and related hardware • Flexibility to adjust work schedules when testing requirements, equipment availability, or field conditions dictatePreferred Skills: • Hands-on experience with agricultural, construction, automotive, heavy, or off-highway equipment • Experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, or testing large machinery • Strong mechanical aptitude and experience working with mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, or machine systems • Experience with product testing, product verification and validation, prototype equipment, or machine development • Farm, equipment dealership, manufacturing, field test, mechanic/technician, or similar hands-on experience • Experience with full-machine or subsystem instrumentation and data acquisition • Experience installing sensors, instrumentation, or test equipment on machinery • Experience with HBM Somat eDAQ or similar data acquisition systems • Experience with HBM nCode GlyphWorks or similar test data analysis software • Experience with Creo or similar CAD softwareDetails: • Job Duration: Full-Time • Job Location: Clarion, Iowa • Compensation: [Hourly/Salary Range]. All approved travel expenses paid by Sage Ag Inc. • Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401k with company match