Prototype Build, Test, & Validation Lab Engineer III

Embraer; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Embraer in the United States seeks a Prototype Test and Validation Engineer to coordinate prototype fabrication and testing per specifications and drawings. You will lead safety assessments, coordinate lab activities, and provide technical guidance while supporting quotations, schedules, and technical specifications to meet quality, cost, and schedule goals.

The role requires strong communication, teamwork, and the ability to work in a dynamic aerospace environment, with on-site responsibilities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Generally 5+ years of prototype and/or mockup development and test/validation lab experience, preferably aerospace.
• Proven knowledge of aircraft interior prototype, manufacturing, installation, test, and validation.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary safety representative for labs, promoting a safety-first culture.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and applicable regulations for lab activities.
• Coordinate safety risk identification, mitigation, and follow-up for prototype fabrication and test setups.
• Define and verify Job Safety Analysis, risk assessments, permits, PPE, guarding, and safety controls.
• Develop aircraft prototype/mockup packages and test/validation plans aligned with requirements and costs.

Skills

Prototype development

Safety leadership

Lab coordination

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

As the Prototype Test and Validation Engineer, this role is responsible for coordinating the development and fabrication of prototypes and mockups, as well as planning and executing testing and validation activities in accordance with specifications, 3D models, drawings, and other engineering documentation. The role requires safety assessments of the laboratory installations and activities execution, safety briefings, job safety requirements compliance, process execution, communication with team members, interface with relevant work areas and supporting teams, establishing timelines, and resource coordination. Acts as the engineer accountable for coordinating prototype fabrication activities, providing technical guidance, instructions, and work direction to support safe and effective execution. Performs safety and skill assessments for daily activity planning and execution of the prototype activities and all the personnel within the laboratory. Supports Project Managers and other areas in quotations, Minimum Information Packages, schedules, technical specifications, and recommendations regarding the development and fabrication of prototypes or mockups and/or test and validation activities.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary safety representative accountable for Environmental, Health, and Safety topics within the labs, actively promoting a safety-first culture and ensuring a safe working environment for team personnel, visitors, and supporting functions.

• Ensure the prototype lab team and visitors follow company job safety policies and all regulatory requirements, including OSHA, EPA, and state and federal regulations.

• Coordinate proactive safety risk identification, mitigation planning, and follow-up actions for prototype fabrication, shop activities, test setups, tooling, equipment usage, and lab operations.

• Ensure Job Safety Analysis, risk assessments, required permits, personal protective equipment, machine guarding and safety controls are properly defined, communicated, and verified before work execution.

• Develop aircraft prototype and/or mockup interior engineering packages as well as test and validation activities based on market, product, and certification requirements in order to ensure adherence to quality as well as the overall program cost and schedule goals.

• Responsible for build and test capabilities and capacity, in line with EETC road maps and strategies

• Plan the prototype lab technicians’ daily activities, including risk assessment and control measurements per company for safe operation.

• Provide long-term capacity planning forecasts for all drive unit labs, in collaboration with the program management team

• Manage and organize prototype shop and the lab fabrication areas such as metal shop, wood shop, electrical and electronic shop, etc.

• Oversee continuous improvement initiatives in all operational activities (build and test)

• Plan and purchase tools, materials, and consumables necessary for prototype lab operation.

• Perform prototype and proof-of-concept tests from the manufacture, preparation, setup, fixtures surrogates, and all addiction tool necessary.

• Manage the instrumentation calibration plan according to company-established procedures.

• Ensure project-related engineering data is in compliance with corporate policies and certification requirements

• Applies technical principles, theories, and concepts to solve a wide range of challenging prototype, mockup, and proof of concept fabrication

• Support the development projects technically during quotation, execution, and certification concerning mockups, prototypes, and proof of concepts in coordination with the project management office.

• Develop and produce different levels of mockups representation from volumetric up to high fidelity mockups for sales and commercial purposes.

• Support the aircraft production line with the fabrication of tooling, fixtures, and GSE.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Education:

• Must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field or equivalent work experience

Experience:

• Prior experience in prototype and/or mockup development, fabrication, and test and validation activities is required
• Generally minimum 5 years of experience in prototype and/or mockup, fabrication, and test and validation labs, ideally for aerospace.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of aircraft interior prototype, manufacturing, installation, test, and validation

• Experience with trim and finish and/ or seating manufacture is a plus

• Ability to navigate ambiguity and coordinate work in a dynamic technical environment.

• Ability to identify and quickly mitigate unforeseen problems creatively and effectively.

• Strong coordination, accountability, and collaboration skills in a rapidly changing and dynamic environment – experimental mindset

• Highly motivated and team-oriented

• Systemic vision, Strong problem-solving ability, and self-starter

• Comprehension, understanding, and execution of broad practices associated with the field assigned and related fields.

• Applies these understandings in the completion of complex work assignments.

• Role requires application of advanced skills attained via greater years of experience towards solving complex issues and problems.

• Acts as Project Representative from the immediate group they are assigned to in the resolution of problems/issues encountered across multiple functions which require a coordinated response.

• Impact within their job and their department based on their work responsibilities begins to regularly extend to certain other functional groups within the organization.

• Errors could adversely impact internal and/or external customer business relationships and could result in moderate to significant work delays and/or costs to correct.

• Significant leeway is established at this level to determine the best individual approach to achieve stated objectives.

• Typically provides guidance on task completion to all Team Members and may also review and check their work assignments.

• Proficient computer skills with use of Microsoft Office applications

• Customer-focused with good relationship-building skills

• Professional appearance and demeanor

• Possess exceptional communication (both oral and written) and listening skills, with a strong orientation to detail, and the ability to make accurate, informed decisions.

• Effective time management and organizational skills; ability to become involved in a number of projects in a fast-paced work environment.

• Proven success in a fast-paced development and prototype environment and possess a willingness to take ownership, accept accountability, and thrive under pressure.

Working Conditions / Environment/ Special Requirements:

• Ability to work in a safe professional manner adhering to all regulatory requirements including OSHA, EPA, State and Federal regulations.
• Employees will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing under FAA regulations
• Availability for domestic and international travel
• Ability to work flexible hours and different shifts if required
• This is an on-site position

GENERAL COMMITMENT

• Commitment to company values and compliance, with department norms, policies, directives, and procedures.
• Incorporates Lean and P3E processes and concepts into daily activities.
• Strives for continuous improvement of processes and procedures.
• Honors and protects confidential and proprietary documents and information.
• Satisfies work schedule requirements.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by the employee. Performs other duties.

Embraer is an Equal Opportunity Employer.