Test & Validation Data Engineer

Actalent; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Short/long-term disability

HSA

PTO / Vacation

Job summary

Actalent, based in Ann Arbor, MI, is seeking a Test & Validation Data Engineer to bridge product engineering and lab teams in automotive validation projects. The role focuses on coordinating DV/PV activities, analyzing test data, and delivering technical summaries.

You will translate requirements into lab tests, review specifications, and support steering and durability validation programs. Hybrid work is available, with a contract assignment in Ann Arbor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with automotive testing, validation, product engineering, or laboratory environments.
• Ability to read and understand engineering test specifications.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.
• Experience creating reports, graphs, and technical summaries from test data.
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, technicians, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Review customer specifications and validation requirements.
• Translate requirements into laboratory test requests.
• Coordinate testing activities with engineers and lab technicians.
• Review, organize, and analyze validation test data.
• Create graphs, summaries, and engineering reports.
• Identify trends, performance changes, and failure modes.
• Support automotive Design Validation (DV) and Product Validation (PV) activities.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams.
• Support steering system, steering column, durability, corrosion, and validation testing programs.

Skills

Mechanical engineering degree

Automotive testing

Test data analysis

Excel

Reporting & summaries

Cross-functional communication

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

Job Title: Test & Validation Data Engineer

Job Description

Join a dynamic team working on the development and validation of automotive steering systems for major OEMs. As a Test & Validation Data Engineer, you will be the technical bridge between product engineers and laboratory technicians, ensuring the seamless coordination of validation activities in a fast-paced automotive development environment.

Responsibilities

• Review customer specifications and validation requirements.
• Translate requirements into laboratory test requests.
• Coordinate testing activities with engineers and lab technicians.
• Review, organize, and analyze validation test data.
• Create graphs, summaries, and engineering reports.
• Identify trends, performance changes, and failure modes.
• Support automotive Design Validation (DV) and Product Validation (PV) activities.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams.
• Support steering system, steering column, durability, corrosion, and validation testing programs.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with automotive testing, validation, product engineering, or laboratory environments.
• Ability to read and understand engineering test specifications.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.
• Experience creating reports, graphs, and technical summaries from test data.
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, technicians, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Automotive DV/PV or DVP&R activities.
• Validation, Test, Product, Reliability, or Development Engineering
• Experience with steering, chassis, suspension, braking, or related automotive systems.
• Experience analyzing large mechanical test data sets.
• Exposure to durability, environmental, corrosion, or destructive testing.
• Experience in an automotive OEM, Tier 1, or Tier 2 supplier environment.
• Familiarity with engineering reporting and root cause investigations.

Work Environment

This position offers hybrid flexibility with 3 days onsite and 2 days remote. You will work with major automotive OEMs, supporting next-generation steering programs. The role provides a unique opportunity to influence product decisions without being tied to hands-on testing all day. You will gain exposure to customers, validation teams, product engineers, and leadership, developing expertise in automotive validation, steering systems, and vehicle testing. This is a high-visibility position offering growth opportunities for Mechanical Engineers, Product Engineers, Test Engineers, and BSMET graduates.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Ann Arbor, MI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $34.00 - $39.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Ann Arbor,MI. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.