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Crash Test Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

YA Group

Accident Reconstructionist

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$69K - $91K/yr

Analyze vehicle crush patterns and conduct considerable research (vehicle specs, crash test data, maintenance history, etc.) * Process 3D laser scan point cloud data using engineering workstation ...

Akidev Corporation

Engineering & IT

Newark, CA · On-site

This team focuses on all vehicle safety and crash testing and meet all safety and consumer ... As a Vehicle Safety Test Engineer you will have opportunities to support test engineers and will be ...

HITEC Sensors

Planner

Huron, OH · On-site

We engineer extraordinary safety, digital, and sensor solutions for critical environments to put humans at the heart of industrial design. We are the pioneers of crash test dummies and a leading ...

EarnIn

Senior SDET - Tooling Engineer

Mountain View, CA · Hybrid

$210K - $257K/yr

Establish meaningful quality metrics (crash analytics, defect trends, flaky tests, API reliability, release risk scoring) and surface actionable insights to engineering stakeholders. Champion shift ...

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Crash Test Engineer information

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How much do crash test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for crash test engineer in the United States is $44.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.41 and $52.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do car crash testers make?

Crash test engineers typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals or those working for major automotive companies can earn higher salaries. Skills in data analysis, safety testing, and familiarity with testing equipment are important in this role.

What is the difference between Crash Test Engineer vs Vehicle Safety Engineer?

AspectCrash Test EngineerVehicle Safety Engineer
CertificationsOften requires engineering degrees, safety certifications, and specialized training in crash testingSimilar certifications, with additional focus on safety standards and compliance
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, crash test facilities, and testing sitesDesign offices, testing labs, and regulatory compliance settings
Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, testing agencies, and safety organizationsAutomotive companies, safety regulatory bodies, and R&D departments

Crash Test Engineers focus on conducting physical crash tests and analyzing impact data, while Vehicle Safety Engineers work on designing and improving vehicle safety features based on test results. Both roles require similar qualifications but differ in their primary responsibilities and work environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Crash Test Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Crash Test Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or automotive engineering, strong analytical skills, and experience with safety standards, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with computer-aided design (CAD) software, data acquisition systems, and crash simulation tools is essential, as is familiarity with industry certifications such as ISTQB or SAE standards. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help set standout professionals apart in this field. These competencies ensure accurate testing, compliance with safety regulations, and the development of safer vehicles for consumers.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Crash Test Engineers typically do not earn $500,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in executive or specialized roles within automotive safety or engineering management. Most crash test engineers earn between $70,000 and $120,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer, with higher salaries possible for senior or lead positions.

Is 40 too late to be an engineer?

Crash Test Engineers can enter the field at any age, as the role values relevant skills, experience, and certifications. Many engineers start or transition careers later in life, and age is generally not a barrier if you have the necessary technical knowledge and training in areas like safety testing, CAD software, or vehicle dynamics.

How do Crash Test Engineers typically collaborate with other teams during vehicle safety testing?

Crash Test Engineers work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including design engineers, data analysts, and safety compliance specialists, to plan and execute crash simulations. They are responsible for coordinating with technicians to set up test vehicles and instrumentation, and they share results with R&D and regulatory teams to refine vehicle safety features. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as crash test data directly informs design modifications and compliance strategies. This collaborative process ensures that safety standards are met and innovative solutions are developed to enhance occupant protection.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior crash test engineers or automotive safety engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and specialized skills can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $300,000 annually, especially in senior management or consulting roles within the automotive industry. High compensation often reflects expertise in crash testing, safety standards, and the use of advanced testing equipment.

What are crash test engineers?

Crash test engineers are specialized professionals who design, conduct, and analyze vehicle crash tests to evaluate automotive safety. They work with advanced equipment and computer simulations to study how vehicles perform in collisions, ensuring they meet safety regulations and protect passengers. Their work helps manufacturers improve vehicle designs, develop new safety features, and comply with government safety standards. Crash test engineers often collaborate with other engineers, regulatory agencies, and automotive companies.
More about Crash Test Engineer jobs
What states have the most Crash Test Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Crash Test Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Crash Test Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Crash Test Engineer jobs are:
Crash Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Crash Test Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,027 per year, or $44.2 per hour.

Accident Reconstructionist

YA Group

Las Vegas, NV • On-site

$69K - $91K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

The Role:
The Accident Reconstructionist is responsible for investigating vehicle accidents by documenting scenes, inspecting vehicles, and collecting technical data using tools such as 3D laser scanners, CAD software, and advanced collision simulation programs. They analyze vehicle damage, crash dynamics, and engineering data to develop scaled drawings, 3D models, and scientifically supported conclusions that help determine accident causation and contributing factors. This role requires strong mechanical engineering expertise, proficiency in CAD, and the ability to produce clear, accurate technical reports for use in assessments and potential litigation.
Additionally, the ideal candidate has experience working with a network of external clientele (e.g. lawyers, insurance carriers and adjusters, etc.) and is experienced with building, establishing, and maintaining rapport with this network.
This is a fully remote role open to candidates located anywhere in the United States. Candidates located in the listed states are encouraged to apply.
In This Role, You Will:
  • Conduct accident investigations by going to accident scenes and measuring the roadway with 3D laser scanners and other documentation techniques such as photography and videography.
  • Inspect and measure vehicles.
  • Travel to vehicle and site locations to perform investigations.
  • Perform black box downloads with sophisticated engineering tools.
  • Create scaled drawings of the subject roadway and/or vehicles (automobiles, heavy trucks, motorcycles, etc.) for preliminary accident reconstruction.
  • Analyze vehicle crush patterns and conduct considerable research (vehicle specs, crash test data, maintenance history, etc.)
  • Process 3D laser scan point cloud data using engineering workstation computers.
  • Construct scaled 3D drawings of the scene or vehicle
  • Perform simulations of the collision with advanced collision reconstruction software such as PC-Crash.
  • Utilize engineering principles to calculate factors such as impact and departure speeds, collision forces, and trajectories of the vehicles.
  • Compare calculations with crash test reports of similar collisions to correlate damages based on speed and velocity.
  • Read papers and journals related to vehicular accident reconstruction to advance the scientific techniques used in the reconstruction work.
  • Create reports detailing the accident reconstruction process.
  • Provide written conclusions to assist with determining the contributory factors of an accident.

What You Bring:
  • Degree in Mechanical Engineering
  • 2+ years of experience in automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, or a related field
  • Strong proficiency in CAD
  • Working knowledge of automotive engineering and control systems
  • Experience or familiarity with computer simulations
  • Understanding of billable hours or project-based work
  • Based in (or planning to relocate to) the job location
  • Team oriented with a strong passion for learning

Who We Are:
YA Group is an international professional services organization providing forensic consulting, engineering, risk mitigation, and related services. Founded over 25 years ago as a property damage consulting firm, YA has expanded through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Today, YA has over 700 professionals dedicated to excellence, partnership, and driving innovation.
YA Group's Accident Reconstruction & Biomechanics team applies scientific investigation, engineering principles, and advanced technology to determine how collisions occur and why. Our experts bring extensive training and experience using sophisticated tools-including 3D modeling, vehicle and site inspections, Event Data Recorder downloads, and forensic animations-to analyze physical evidence and reconstruct events with clarity and accuracy. Capable of handling the full spectrum of motor vehicle accidents-from low-speed impacts to complex rollover events, heavy-truck collisions, autonomous vehicle incidents, and ADAS evaluations-our multidisciplinary specialists deliver analytically grounded findings that support clients across insurance, legal, corporate, and transportation sectors. In addition, our professionals are experienced in litigation support and are courtroom-qualified experts, providing clear, confident testimony to effectively communicate reconstruction results and technical conclusions.
We Offer:
  • Employee-focused culture
  • Strong commitment to work-life balance
  • Remote work
  • Flexible vacation & Paid holidays
  • Paid family care/sick leave
  • Parental leave
  • Medical, Dental, Vision + more
  • 401k w/match
  • Career growth
  • Competitive salaries + Bonus

Fraudulent Recruitment Alert:
Please be vigilant against fraudulent recruitment attempts. YA will never ask for personal financial information (such as bank account numbers or identification numbers) via social media or chat-based apps. We also will not request money for the purchase of business equipment, post job opportunities on Craigslist or conduct interviews solely via text message.
All official email communications regarding your application will come from notify@dayforce.com or directly from a member of our talent team using an @yagroup.com domain name.
If you suspect any fraudulent activity, please contact us directly at careers@yagroup.com.
Disclosures:
As part of our recruitment process, we may use AI-assisted tools to support candidate screening and evaluation. These tools are designed to assist-rather than replace-human decision-making, and all employment decisions are made by our recruiting team in accordance with applicable laws and our commitment to equal employment opportunity.
Where required by law, we will provide additional information about the use of these tools, including their purpose, and offer alternative processes or accommodations upon request.

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