Mechanical Test Engineer

As our Mechanical Test Engineer , you'll be the bridge between design and real-world performance. You'll lead hands-on testing and validation activities, build prototypes and test fixtures, and use data-driven insights to ensure our automotive systems meet the highest standards of quality, reliability, and durability. You’ll also manage the day-to-day operation of our test lab, coordinating prototype and testing activities to ensure work is planned, prioritized, and completed effectively. Partnering with cross-functional teams, you'll uncover opportunities for improvement, solve complex technical challenges, and help bring innovative products from concept to production with confidence. WHY THIS ROLE, WHY NOW At Smartrend Manufacturing Group (SMG), we design, engineer, and manufacture technology that solves real-world transportation challenges, and we're growing fast. Over the past five years, that growth has enabled significant investment in our people, our capabilities, and our automotive systems business. These investments include a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which we will move into in May 2027, along with enhanced R&D equipment, tooling, technology, and infrastructure that strengthen our engineering capabilities and accelerate product innovation. We're building more here – more capability, more technology, and more opportunity. And we're looking for people who want to work in a collaborative and fun environment to fuel our next wave of innovation. WHAT YOU’LL DO Own product validation and verification testing from planning through reporting. Develop test plans, procedures, fixtures, setups, and acceptance criteria. Build, modify, and troubleshoot prototypes and pre-production units. Use CNC equipment, 3D printing, and fabrication tools to build and modify test components and prototypes. Operate specialized test equipment, including environmental and UV chambers, optical testing equipment, and electromechanical and electropneumatic test systems. Analyze results, investigate failures, and translate findings into clear technical recommendations. Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and NPI teams to improve product performance, testability, and manufacturability. Coordinate external laboratory testing and support customer validation requirements. Contribute to design reviews and help advance SMG’s internal testing and validation capabilities. WHAT YOU BRING A natural curiosity to understand how things work, identify root causes, and investigate failures. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a methodical, data-driven approach. Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in testing and documentation. Hands-on mechanical aptitude with experience building, modifying, and evaluating prototypes and test systems. Patience and persistence to troubleshoot complex technical issues and see investigations through to completion. Strong communication skills with the…