Vehicle Development Engineer

Blue Bird Brand; Macon (GA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

14 paid holidays

Vacation time

401k matching

Job summary

Blue Bird Corporation is seeking a Vehicle Development Engineer to lead the physical integration and validation of complete bus platforms, from prototype stages to production sign-off. You will bridge virtual design and physical reality, ensuring performance, durability, safety, and ride quality targets are met.

The role requires hands-on development, data acquisition, and cross-functional collaboration with design, simulation, and manufacturing teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Automotive, or Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• 3–5 years of vehicle development, integration, or experimental validation experience.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident; authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Oversee physical assembly and integration of vehicle subsystems onto prototype platforms.
• Develop and execute comprehensive vehicle validation plans and testing.
• Instrument prototype vehicles and analyze real-world engineering metrics.
• Lead root cause analysis to resolve performance shortfalls observed during testing.
• Ensure FMVSS compliance and safety validation for vehicle platforms.
• Collaborate with design, simulation, and manufacturing teams to optimize designs.

Skills

Vehicle Systems Expertise

Data Acquisition Proficiency

Problem-Solving Mastery

Testing Methodologies

Communication & Collaboration

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Engineering or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Vector CANalyzer

CANape

Dewesoft

Somat eDAQ

Job description

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.

JOB SUMMARY

The Vehicle Development Engineer in Engineering leads the physical integration, validation, and optimization of complete vehicle systems for Blue Bird's commercial and school bus platforms. This role drives the physical development lifecycle of traditional, low-emission, and electric vehicle (EV) platforms from early prototype stages through to production line sign‑off. The Vehicle Development Engineer acts as the bridge between virtual engineering design and physical reality, ensuring that complete vehicles meet performance, durability, safety, and ride‑and‑handling targets.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Vehicle Integration & Build: Oversee the physical assembly and functional integration of complex vehicle subsystems, including powertrain, chassis, thermal management, and high‑voltage EV networks onto prototype platforms.
• Test Planning & Execution: Author comprehensive vehicle validation plans (DVP&R) and conduct physical vehicle testing on test tracks and laboratory environments (e.g., structural durability, thermal performance, and vehicle dynamics).
• Data Acquisition & Analysis: Instrument prototype vehicles with sensors (accelerometers, thermocouples, strain gauges) and utilize data acquisition tools to capture, analyze, and interpret real‑world engineering metrics.
• Issue Resolution & Tuning: Identify system‑level conflicts, design defects, or performance shortfalls during physical testing, and lead root cause analysis (RCA) to implement corrective design modifications.
• Regulatory & Safety Validation: Manage vehicle‑level compliance testing to satisfy Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), environmental mandates, and internal safety protocols.
• Subjective & Objective Evaluation: Conduct vehicle ride, handling, braking, and NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) evaluations, translating subjective test‑driver feedback into quantitative engineering targets.
• Cross‑Functional Optimization: Collaborate directly with Component Design Engineers, Simulation teams (FEA/CFD), and Plant Manufacturing Operations to refine vehicle designs for optimal assembly and performance.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS

• Vehicle Systems Expertise: Holistic understanding of complete automotive architectures, including mechanical, electrical, thermal, and electronic control unit (ECU) networks.
• Data Acquisition Proficiency: Hands‑on experience with automotive instrumentation tools and data analysis software (e.g., Vector CANalyzer, CANape, Dewesoft, Somat eDAQ).
• Problem‑Solving Mastery: Expert diagnostic skills to troubleshoot complex, interacting system faults across mechanical, high‑voltage electrical, and software domains.
• Testing Methodologies: Deep knowledge of vehicle dynamics testing, accelerated structural durability protocols, and thermal management evaluation techniques.
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to effectively convey vehicle‑level test findings and engineering recommendations to cross‑functional design and executive teams.

BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in vehicle development, vehicle integration, or experimental validation within an automotive or heavy truck OEM environment.
• All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Direct experience validating high‑voltage Electric Vehicle (EV) systems, battery pack integration, or electric drivetrain calibrations.
• Possession of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a passenger endorsement, or the ability to obtain one for test‑track operations.
• Familiarity with automotive communication protocols such as J1939, CAN, and LIN bus systems.
• Advanced engineering degree, such as a Master of Science in Automotive or Mechanical Engineering.

WE VALUE

• Ability to anticipate and understand customer needs and provide guidance.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills to handle difficult and sensitive matters.
• Strong project management skills. Exposure to difficult or complex projects a plus.
• Ability to influence stakeholders.
• Effective communication and ability to communicate complex details in a clear manner.
• Flexible workspaces and work hours to help you unleash the best you.
• Working in a collaborative team and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporate objectives.

INCLUDES

• Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching.

WORK CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office environment and production environment.
• Must work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise.
• Fast‑paced production area with moving objects and sheet metal.
• Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time.
• You must wear appropriate PPE when and where required.
• Frequent weeks working 40+ hours.
• Frequent communication with people throughout the day.

Blue Bird is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We strive to have the best available talent in every job based on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities each person brings. Blue Bird is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all forms.

All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.