Test Technician

Hodges Transportation, Inc.; Silver Springs (NV); On-site; USD 27,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Hodges Transportation, Inc. in Silver Springs, Nevada, seeks a Test Technician to support engineers in designing, developing, and testing automotive mobility solutions.

This full-time, non-exempt role requires hands-on vehicle testing, data collection, and maintaining test records in an outdoor proving-ground setting. You will operate test vehicles, install instrumentation, troubleshoot issues, and document procedures and results.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 2+ years related experience or technical certification.
• Valid Nevada driver’s license and ability to meet company insurance requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data‑acquisition software.
• Ability to read and follow procedures and documentation accurately.

Responsibilities

• Assist engineers with planning and execution of vehicle tests.
• Operate test and support vehicles on various terrains and conditions.
• Collect and document accurate test data and maintain records.
• Install, inspect, and verify instrumentation and data‑acquisition systems.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation issues during testing.
• Prepare basic test reports and communicate findings to engineers.

Skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data acquisition software

Job description

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Test Technician

• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Shift: Days
• Position: Test Technician
• Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-Exempt
• Location: NATC - Silver Springs - Nevada

The Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) is seeking a talented Test Technician to join our team in Silver Springs, Nevada. The Test Technician supports engineers in the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of innovative automotive mobility solutions.

Founded in 1957, the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) is a privately owned, independent test, evaluation, design and engineering facility offering development and testing to customers worldwide. We have substantial international experience, which allows us to evaluate products intended for global markets knowledgeably and objectively. NATC has compiled an extensive database of worldwide operational and infrastructure conditions allowing accurate definition of user duty cycles and creation of test programs that are representative of service environments around the world. NATC is a leading innovator in translating real-world conditions into validated virtual proving ground simulation and virtual prototyping.

NATC's location in the great basin of Nevada allows our team to access terrain that can represent 85% of the world within a 150-mile radius, providing an excellent test bed for off-road mobility. NATC's operational area includes 1200 sq. miles of natural terrain, that when coupled with 6,200 acres of privately owned test courses, create an unparalleled testing area available to our engineers to innovate and solve our customer's problems.

POSITION SUMMARY

Works under the direct supervision of the Project/Test Engineer and/or Program Manager to support the planning and execution of vehicle tests. Performs hands‑on vehicle testing and test support, including operating test and support vehicles, test equipment, and instrumentation; collecting and documenting accurate test data; and maintaining test records. Assists with troubleshooting, identifying issues, and conducting failure analysis of mechanical and/or electrical vehicle subsystems. Works closely with engineers and project management to document test procedures, observations, findings, and results and support the preparation of technical reports. This position requires working in an outdoor, off‑road proving‑ground environment and adapting to varying terrain and operating conditions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Supports Project Engineers, Test Engineers, and Program Managers in the planning, staffing, execution, and documentation of vehicle testing activities.
2. Operates test and support vehicles over a variety of terrain, environmental, and operating conditions while following established test procedures and safety requirements.
3. Supports test conduct and data collection, accurately recording test data, observations, vehicle performance, and abnormal conditions or anomalies.
4. Monitors vehicle performance during testing and identifies and communicates abnormal operating conditions, issues, or potential failures to the appropriate engineering personnel.
5. Assists with troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation issues encountered during testing.
6. Assists with the installation, inspection, verification, and removal of instrumentation and data‑acquisition equipment.
7. Verifies that test equipment, instrumentation, and data‑acquisition systems are properly configured and functioning prior to testing.
8. Assists with vehicle preparation, configuration changes, inspections, and basic maintenance required to support testing activities.
9. Enters, organizes, and maintains test data and project information using spreadsheets, word-processing, database, and other applicable software.
10. Processes and maintains driver logs, test records, findings, reports, technical documentation, and project correspondence.
11. Performs basic reviews of test results and data, identifies notable findings or discrepancies, and presents results to the Test Engineer or appropriate engineering personnel.
12. Supports data analysis and assists with the preparation of technical reports, test summaries, and other project documentation.
13. Communicates test results, observations, equipment issues, and vehicle concerns to Test Engineers, Project Engineers, Program Managers, and other appropriate personnel.
14. Maintains test vehicles, test equipment, instrumentation, tools, and work areas in a safe, clean, and orderly condition.
15. Follows all applicable company policies, safety procedures, test protocols, and project‑specific requirements.
16. Performs other duties as assigned.

Pay

Starting: $24.00

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. High school graduate or equivalent, with at least two years related experience or associate degree or certification in a technical field.
2. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional extended hours, weekends, holidays, or varied shifts, based on project requirements.
3. Must possess a valid Nevada driver's license and maintain a driving record acceptable to the Company's insurance requirements.
4. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn and use specialized test, data‑acquisition, instrumentation, and database software.
5. Basic skills in database entry and report creation and generation.
6. Strong reading comprehension skills with the ability to follow written instructions and procedures accurately.
7. Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, project managers, technicians, and other team members and accurately document technical information.
8. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
9. Strong organizational and time‑management skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Basic mechanical and/or electrical aptitude and the ability to use hand tools and test equipment.
2. Off‑road driving experience.
3. Experience operating equipment.
4. Associate degree in a related field.
5. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and reasoning skills.

Physical Demands

1. Lift/carry up to 50 pounds
2. Frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop, kneel, and climb
3. Enter and exit test vehicles repeatedly
4. Work on uneven terrain
5. Use hand tools and test equipment
6. Perform tasks requiring manual dexterity
7. Wear required PPE
8. Work outdoors for extended periods

Work Environment

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors and may involve exposure to extreme temperatures, dust, dirt, noise, vibration, uneven terrain, vehicle exhaust, and other environmental conditions associated with vehicle testing. The position may require extended periods of standing, walking, sitting, driving, climbing, bending, kneeling, and working around vehicles and test equipment.

Job Description and Employment Statement

This job description is intended to outline the general nature of work and is not exhaustive; duties may be added, modified, or removed as business needs require. Employees are responsible for performing their duties safely and in accordance with company policies, procedures, and quality standards. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities; please notify Human Resources if accommodations are needed. NATC/Hodges Transportation, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains an Afffirative Action Program. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Employment is at‑will; either the employee or the Company may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice.