Senior Validation Engineer

Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Reports To: Engineering Director

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Validation Engineer to lead verification and validation activities for rugged, high-performance equipment and engineered systems. This role develops test strategies and executes validation programs that ensure products meet performance, durability, reliability, safety, regulatory, and end-user requirements from concept through production launch.

The Senior Validation Engineer works closely with design, manufacturing, quality, sourcing, and product teams to identify risk early, solve complex technical problems, and deliver dependable products for demanding operating environments.

Key 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.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Agricultural, Manufacturing, or a 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 read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.

• Strong project-management, communication, and organizational skills.

• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced development environment.

• Ability to travel up to 20% for field testing, supplier visits, and customer support.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with off-highway, agricultural, construction, forestry, industrial, or heavy-equipment products.

• Knowledge of hydraulic systems, power transmission, structural analysis, fatigue testing, and durability engineering.

• Experience with DVP&R, DFMEA, PFMEA, APQP, and product-risk management tools.

• Familiarity with CAD platforms, statistical analysis, test automation, and engineering data-analysis tools.

• Experience leading cross-functional product-development or engineering projects.

• Participation in industry associations, technical working groups, or standards-development activities.

• Familiarity with standards bodies such as SAE, ASABE, ANSI, AEM, ISO, or related organizations.

• Professional Engineer license or advanced engineering degree.