e-Powertrain Validation Engineer

Position: e-Powertrain Validation Engineer - (78150-1)
Location: Chillicothe, IL
Estimated Duration: 24 months contract (Possibility of extension)

Estimated Start Date: Ready to Hire
Status: Contract

Job Description:
Position's Contributions to Work Group:
The e-Powertrain (ePt) Validation Planning Support Engineer works closely with the ePt system design team to understand the potential technical risks for the specific ePt configuration being evaluated. This role will tackle various tasks from collecting the risks that were identified in DFMEAs, sorting those risks from highest risk (highest RPN = likelihood of failure times the severity of the failure) to lowest risk, and helping to identify virtual simulation or physical test activities (bench, lab, or full machine) to optimally mitigate those risks between cost and time. This team member may be involved in various deliverables from the ePt validation planning team including: gathering system readiness summaries from component & sub-system teams, creating validation one-pager status slides for NPI Gateway reviews, managing "issue-lists" for various ePt programs, forecasting defects per unit, & creating pro-active reliability curves to predict ePt system performance & durability throughout its life.

Why Client? "Whether it be ground-breaking products, best in class solutions or a lifelong career, you can build what matters to you at Client. With 150 locations in countries around the world, what you create at Client travels and helps people around the world. You can collaborate with the best minds in the industry, complete meaningful work and continuously grow and develop through our various opportunities. Here, you can do the work that matters."

Why this Role?
- This role has significant influence on defining the detailed validation plan for each ePowertrain system. This role will have visibility to the ePowertrain System product managers as well as the Electrification & Energy Solutions validation leadership. This role will give the individual tremendous understanding of all of the interactions within the ePowertrain system and all of the technical risks associated with them. This individual will also become very familiar with the many physics-based simulation methods as well as many of the bench, lab, and full machine tests that can be used to mitigate technical risks associated with a ePowertrain system.

Typical task breakdown:
This role will tackle various tasks:
- Collecting the risks that were identified in DFMEAs
- Sorting those risks from highest risk (highest RPN = likelihood of failure times the severity of the failure) to lowest risk
- Helping to identify virtual simulation or physical test activities (bench, lab, or full machine) to optimally mitigate those risks between cost and time.
Interaction with team:
The e-Powertrain (ePt) Validation Planning Support Engineer works closely with the ePt system design team to understand the potential technical risks for the specific ePt configuration being evaluated.

Day-to-Day Activities Include:
- Gathering system readiness summaries from component & sub-system teams
- Creating validation one-pager status slides for NPI Gateway reviews
- Managing "issue-lists" for various ePt programs
- Forecasting defects per unit
- Creating pro-active reliability curves to predict ePt system performance & durability throughout its life

Team Structure
- The ePowertrain validation team has 2 to 3 experienced validation engineers that will help guide the individual in this role.

Work environment:
- Office work environment. Collaboration with employees in other parts of the building is typical. Collaboration virtually with other parts of the world is also common.

Education & Experience Required:
- Years of experience: 5 years of real-world experience. Academic projects do not count as experience.
- Degree requirement: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering required.
- Do you accept internships as job experience: Yes, if it was hands-on test experience testing hardware.
- Are there past or additional job titles or roles that would provide comparable background to this role: proactive reliability, validation planning, validation planner

Top 3 Skills:
- Ability to understand detailed technical engineering talk and communicate it to others in common language.
- Ability to estimate how long various test activities will take, what instrumentation is needed, etc. to help forecast how long a validation plan will take to complete. (Project Management forecasting)
- Ability to listen and understand more experienced engineers and a willingness to implement their suggestions.

Additional Technical Skills
(Required)
Hands-On test experience testing fuel systems, engines, full machines or vehicles.

(Desired)
Hands-On test experience testing electric drivetrain systems.

Soft Skills
Fluent in not only the English language, but also "American" English.
Determined to complete assignments, seek help, seek clarity, etc.
Demonstrated ability to PULL information, as needed, from others.

Team Function & Role Responsibilities

• The E-Powertrain Validation Planning team becomes involved once a new e-powertrain program is approved.
• They collaborate with design teams to understand the system configuration and review Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) results.
• The goal is to identify technical product risks and calculate Risk Priority Numbers (RPNs) by assessing severity and likelihood of failure.
• These RPNs are sorted from highest to lowest to determine where validation focus should be.
• The team then builds a validation plan to mitigate the highest risks first, constrained by timeline and budget.
• The outcome is to ensure the production release of a high-quality, low-risk Caterpillar e-powertrain system.

The selected individual will support all activities involved in achieving this-risk assessment, validation planning, coordination, and documentation.

This role is not a hands-on testing position, but experience with hardware testing and validation is vital to understand real-world challenges and timelines.

Key Skills & Experience Required
Top Technical Skills:

1. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA/DFMEA):
   • Strong understanding of identifying, ranking, and mitigating risks.
2. Hands-on Hardware Validation Experience:
   • Preferably on complex systems or subsystems such as engines, powertrains, or fuel systems.
   • Must have experience in physical test execution-not purely software or simulation.
3. Validation Planning Experience:
   • Understanding of how to build and execute a validation plan from concept through test completion.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be familiar with complex system-level testing logistics, such as coordinating test setups involving chassis, torque systems, and multiple engineering teams.
• Should understand realistic test durations and preparation timelines.
• Automotive testing experience is acceptable, but preference is for industrial, heavy equipment, or off-highway machinery backgrounds (e.g., tractors, construction equipment).

Darrell emphasized he prefers candidates who have had to "figure things out" rather than follow overly prescriptive automotive test procedures.

Communication Skills

Communication was highlighted as a critical differentiator for success in this role.
The candidate must:

• Be fluent in English (American/Midwestern)-not just grammatically correct, but conversationally natural.
• Understand that communication is not complete until the message is acknowledged.
• Be able to adapt documentation and presentations for different audiences (e.g., design engineers, validation teams, leadership).
• Be capable of persuasion and influence, particularly when aligning teams toward specific validation approaches.
• Be comfortable communicating upward, downward, and cross-functionally.

Candidate Flexibility

• Industry crossover: Candidates from powertrain, fuel systems, drivetrain, or engine testing are acceptable, provided they've worked on complex mechanical systems.

Preferred Backgrounds

• E-powertrain or hybrid validation experience (ideal).
• Heavy machinery, construction, or industrial systems validation.
• Hands-on testing experience on engines, drivetrains, or mechanical systems.
• Some familiarity with NPI (New Product Introduction) processes and validation cycles.

Contract Duration & Outlook

• Initial contract: 24 months.
• Darrell clarified this is not a guaranteed two-year engagement but was written that way to avoid frequent renewals.
• Current workload and approved headcount suggest long-term need through 2026, assuming stable business conditions.

Hiring Manager Insights

• The ideal candidate is an experienced validation engineer who understands test logistics and risk-based planning.
• The manager is open to strong engineers from adjacent domains (engine, drivetrain, heavy equipment) who can adapt quickly to e-powertrain systems.
• Automotive experience is acceptable but should involve problem-solving and innovation, not just following established test procedures.
• The role will require critical thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and clear technical communication.

Key Takeaways

• Challenging role with high expectations for both technical and communication skills.
• Hands-on validation background is essential even though the role itself focuses on planning.
• Strong preference for industrial or off-highway system experience.
• Fluent, culturally adaptive English communication is a must.
• Long-term potential for the right candidate due to sustained program demand.