Senior Validation Engineer - Durability & System Testing

lcionline; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

LCI Online in Sioux Falls, SD seeks a Senior Validation Engineer to lead verification and validation activities for rugged, high-performance equipment and engineered systems from concept through production launch.

The role develops test strategies, oversees lab, field, durability, and environmental testing, and mentors engineers to ensure durability, reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance in demanding environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Agricultural, Manufacturing, or related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of engineering experience, including 3+ years in product validation, testing, durability, reliability, or quality engineering.
• Experience validating mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and electro‑mechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of product-development processes, engineering fundamentals, and test methodologies.
• Experience using sensors, instrumentation, data‑acquisition systems, and engineering test equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct root‑cause analysis and structured problem solving.
• Ability to travel up to 20% for field testing, supplier visits, and customer support.

Responsibilities

• Lead validation planning for new product development, product updates, and improvement initiatives.
• Define test requirements and acceptance criteria using product specifications, customer needs, regulations, and applicable standards.
• Plan and oversee laboratory, field, durability, reliability, environmental, and performance testing.
• Develop and maintain Design Verification Plans and Reports (DVP&R).
• Create test procedures, select instrumentation, and oversee data-acquisition systems and test fixtures.
• Perform or direct structural, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and system-level testing.
• Analyze data to identify performance trends, failure modes, root causes, and design-improvement opportunities.
• Lead root-cause investigations and verify corrective actions.
• Participate in DFMEA, PFMEA, risk assessments, and engineering design reviews.
• Coordinate field-validation activities with customers, dealers, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Manage validation activities within established schedules, budgets, and project priorities.
• Prepare test reports, communicate results, and make recommendations to engineering leadership.
• Mentor engineers and technicians in validation methods, instrumentation, and testing best practices.
• Support product launches by confirming validation requirements and quality objectives are achieved.
• Improve test methods, validation processes, equipment, and data-analysis capabilities.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, ownership, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Organizational skills

Root-cause analysis

Structured problem solving

Team mentorship

Reading engineering drawings

Data analysis

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/ Agricultural/ Manufacturing engineering

Tools

Sensors

Instrumentation

Data acquisition systems

Engineering test equipment

Job description

LCI Online in Sioux Falls, SD seeks a Senior Validation Engineer to lead verification and validation activities for rugged, high-performance equipment and engineered systems from concept through production launch.

The role develops test strategies, oversees lab, field, durability, and environmental testing, and mentors engineers to ensure durability, reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance in demanding environments.