Dev/Research Engineer

Summary:
The main function of a research engineer is to research and investigate the design, functionality and maintenance of mechanical products, equipment, systems and processes. A typical research engineer has the ability to make engineering drawings, and read and interpret blueprints.

Job Responsibilities:
Research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines and other mechanical devices.
Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals to determine time and cost feasibility to complete projects.
Investigate equipment failures and difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and make recommendation to maintenance crew.
Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products using tools, equipment or software.

Skills:
Creativity, verbal and written communication skills, analytical and problem solving ability.
Team player and detail oriented.
Ability to make sketches, engineering drawings and common computations.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawing, schematics and computer-generated reports.
Previous experience with computer applications and software related to engineering field, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD).

Education/Experience:
Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
5-7 years experience required.
Story Behind the Need Business Group & Key Projects
Position's Contributions to Work Group
Team culture
Surrounding team & key projects
Purpose of this team
Reason for the request Position's Contributions to Work Group:
An Electric Powertrain (ePowertrain) includes a power source (ex. battery and/or fuel cell), power electronics, and electric drivetrain components combined via controls into an electric powertrain system. As a Validation Engineering Lead in the ePowertrain Systems team, you will be joining an innovative team on the cutting edge of electrification. The ePowertrain Systems team is part of the Electrification & Advanced Power Systems Division and is a full electric powertrain solution partner for CI, RI, and E&T prime product groups. You will be responsible for supporting ePowertrain validation leaders who are planning across multiple NPI programs and will work with L6 Product Groups, L5 ePowertrain system, and L3-L4 component technical leads to support their programs with Requirements Definition, Proactive Reliability, FMEA based planning, and PPRD to ensure proper validation of advanced ePowertrain components and systems supporting a wide variety of new product development and new technology investigation projects. Your role will be critical to providing the necessary details to ensure validation excellence in ePowertrain and delivering world-class solutions.

Reason/motivation for request:
- Addition
Typical Day in the Role
Typical task breakdown and rhythm
Interaction level with team
Work environment description Typical task breakdown:

This position will support the L5 ePowertrain Validation Engineers by:
Collaborating with systems teams, lab teams, and global machine development groups to establish standard work. Activities should favor virtual and lab-based techniques.
Driving usage of tools such as the Failsafe Process and Validation FMEA's to evaluate the effectiveness of the validation activity plan on critical failure modes, and direct activities to mitigate risk.
Development of electric drive component and system failure modes & effects analysis (FMEAs) with key focus on developing standard FMEAs
As validation needs become known for which there is no robust method, the validation engineer may need you to lead the effort to develop a new procedure.
Creating Proactive Reliability glidepaths
Supporting and participating in Simulation & Test Collaboration Workshops (STCWs) at system level, and participation in component and machine level events
Preparing and presenting a Readiness Summary at Gates 1 through 6 for the ePowertrain L5 system
Staying abreast of product new content and sharing w/ other appropriate L4, L5, & L6 Validation Leaders
Provide guidance to machine configurations for testing/validation.
Management of development (NPI) issues
Facilitation of issue resolution with design groups
Communicating results to customers, suppliers, team members, and other business units
Conducting L5 ePowertrain system readiness summaries (SRS)
- Providing Technical guidance, effective training, relationship building, & engagement of other Validation Engineers and capture lessons learned

Interaction with team:
Position involves working in a team environment on challenging NTI and NPI programs that involve the integration of electric drive and electric power source technologies into electrification solutions, supporting a team of ePowertrain system technical leads

Work environment:
- Our purpose is to ensure that CAT machines meet our end user's quality expectations by promoting validation earlier in the product development cycle. The role's strategy is to move product validation activities forward in time, into the concept and design phases of NPI programs. We do this by leveraging our people's application & validation knowledge, world-class evaluation methods, innovation, and best practices across the enterprise. The results of this individual's work will be electric powertrain (ePowertrain) systems that arrive at any captive test site (lab or proving ground) for validation in good operating condition, technical and program risks quantified, and ePowertrain system validation plans are thorough and documented.
Candidate Requirements
Years of experience required
Degrees or certifications required
Disqualifiers
Performance indicators Education & Experience Required:
- Bachelor's degree in an accredited Engineering (prefer Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechatronics)
- 5-7+ years of experience OR a Master's degree in an Engineering (prefer Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechatronics)
- Previous product development experience (design, validation/test, or analysis).

Technical Skills

- Experience with lab component or machine validation
- Experience with structured FMEA & DVP&R process
- Excellent analytical skills
- Experience with NPI Issue resolution process
- Systems' Thinking
- Experience with electric drive systems and/or components
- Demonstrated understanding of mechanical & electrical systems with special emphasis on electric drive systems

(Desired)
- Experience with electric drive systems and/or components
- Demonstrated understanding of mechanical & electrical systems with special emphasis on electric drive systems

Soft Skills

- Strong communication skills
- Self-starter with strong technical leadership skills
- Solid organizational and facilitation skills (6-Sigma BB or GB)