Validation Engineer II

YETI Coolers, LLC; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

YETI is seeking a Product Validation Engineer to develop tests for new products and to collaborate with design engineers to create DFMEA, validation plans, and robust test protocols. You will work with engineering, operations, quality, labs, and product management to ensure testing delivers actionable results.

The role requires deep knowledge of mechanical design, lab testing, and data-driven decision making, with international travel around 5%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Material Science, Chemistry or similar area of study preferred.
• At least 5 years of design qualification experience.
• Advanced knowledge of industry standards for design and test of products.
• Strong technical background in heat transfer, impact, vibration, abrasion, environmental, life-cycle testing and material validation.
• Root Cause Analysis experience in mixed material product assemblies.
• Experience building test equipment to support thermal, mechanical, repetitive motion and other testing.
• Proficient with electronic and mechanical test equipment.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills.
• Proficient in reading and producing schematics/drawings with CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred).

Responsibilities

• Generate well-designed tests rooted in consumer expectations and use cases.
• Support tests with statistical analysis to define severity relative to consumer use.
• Document procedures so global lab partners can run tests.
• Serve as a product validation expert on project teams.
• Apply mechanical design principles and lab equipment knowledge to simulate consumer behavior.
• Convert customer use cases to test protocols and requirements.
• Collaborate with analytics, industrial design and product management to collect usage data.
• Determine testing baselines by understanding target consumer and potential misuses.

Skills

Test design

Statistical analysis

Design validation

Lab equipment

Technical writing

Schematics/drawings

CAD - SolidWorks

Office suite

Product design

FEA

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

JMP

Minitab

Job description

At YETI, we believe that time spent outdoors matters more than ever and our gear can make that time extraordinary. When you work here, you’ll have the opportunity to create exceptional, meaningful work and problem solve with innovative team members by your side. Together, you’ll help our customers get the high-quality gear they need to make the most of their adventures. We are BUILT FOR THE WILD.

About The Role

The Product Validation Engineer plays a key role in the development of new products by developing the tests required to qualify the incredible products we develop. This individual participates in the design process, partnering with YETI Design Engineers, to create Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (DFMEA), developing Design Validation Plans and working with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Test labs and Product Management to ensure that all testing follows defined procedures and delivers results the team can use to evaluate the product.

What You’ll Do

• Generate well-designed tests that are rooted in a deep understanding of the consumers expectations and intended use for unique products not defined by industry standards.
• Support the recommendations of each test with a statistical analysis to define the severity of the test relative to the nominal consumer use case.
• Confirm new tests deliver effective, repeatable results and document the procedure in such detail that our global lab partners are equipped to run the tests.
• Serves as a product validation expert on project core teams
• Leverage advanced knowledge of mechanical design principles and understanding of common lab equipment to develop creative solutions to simulate consumer behavior.
• Ability to convert customer use case to test protocol and requirement.
• Partner with the data analytics, industrial design and product management teams to collect data about expected use of a product.
• Partner with product management and industrial design to understand the target consumer, how they intend to use, or may misuse, the product and use this information to determine appropriate testing baselines.

International Travel Requirement: ~5%

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Material Science, Chemistry or similar area of study preferred
• At least 5 years of design qualification experience, which includes establishing, testing and evaluating product qualifications against specifications.
• Advanced knowledge of industry standards applicable to the design and test of products
• Strong technical background - heat transfer, impact, vibration, abrasion, environmental, life/cycle testing, material validation, and process validation
• Root Cause Analysis experience in mix material product assemblies
• Proven record of accomplishment in the design and build of test equipment to support thermal, mechanical, repetitive motion and/or other testing needs
• Proficient with electronic and mechanical test equipment
• Excellent social, interpersonal, and presentation/communication skills - ability to convey knowledge, skills, and results to NPD customers, lab engineers, technicians, and other applicable personnel
• Technical writing skills a must
• Proficient in reading and/or producing schematics and drawings, identifying components, and component values via CAD design tools (SolidWorks preferred)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and similar products (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, etc.)
• Product Design experience
• FEA experience
• Experience with statical analysis software (JMP, Minitab)
• Injection molding and/or textiles experience
• Regulatory compliance experience
• Color science experience a plus

Physical Requirements: Operate office equipment and technology. Bend, lift, open, and move product up to 50 pounds as needed

Benefits & Perks

Click here to learn about the benefits and perks we offer at YETI.

YETI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is at the center of everything we do for our employees.

We embrace all applicants looking to bring their authentic selves to YETI and contribute to our mission of keeping the wild WILD.

Find out more about our commitment to DE&I at yeti.com/esg.html.

All applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.

At YETI, we design products that last for generations, get you outside, and keep you there longer. If you're looking to take on big challenges and have a passion for keeping the wild, wild - let's talk.