Job Description

About Blue Bird Corporation

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com

Seeking a Validation Engineer with a background in Electrical Engineering to lead the evaluation of our sub-systems and full vehicle platforms. The ideal candidate will be well versed in supporting diverse validation needs (including thermal, aero, mechanical, and software), they should also be competent in the use of simulation and associated correlation activities. This role will directly complement our existing team strengths in mechanical and software validation.

In this position, you will act as a catalyst for innovation. You will identify opportunities to modernize our methodologies, upgrade our testing facilities. and develop persuasive business cases justifying the acquisition of cutting-edge equipment to help us achieve our goal of becoming an industry-leading validation team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own, supplement, and execute testing prescribed within each system DVP&R in collaboration with design counterparts, strictly adhering to program phase deadlines
• Perform and manage development, validation, and regulatory compliance testing utilizing internal assets or external laboratories to support product development goals
• Validate powertrain systems with a focus on EV battery integration, thermal management, and power distribution
• Instrument mock-ups, sub-systems, and full vehicles with data acquisition equipment to collect mechanical, electrical, aerodynamic, and thermal data
• Post-process raw test data to provide actionable design recommendations and root-cause solutions documenting findings within a comprehensive report
• Actively participate in simulation activities, ensuring that test and analysis boundary conditions are aligned to improve correlation
• Relentlessly pursuing optimization in methodologies, technologies, and workflows, and product to improve safety, quality, reliability, cost, and timing

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR SUCCESS

• Knowledge of automotive high and low voltage architectures, power distribution, circuit analysis and associated troubleshooting methodologies
• Experience creating, supplementing, and executing DVP&Rs inclusive of compliance of state, federal, and Canadian compliance requirements
• Skilled in the setup, calibration, and use of data acquisition (DAQ) systems to collect mechanical, thermal, fluid, and electrical data.
• Seasoned user of commercial CAE tools, methods, and uses relating to correlation, optimization, root cause techniques, and countermeasure development
• Ability to make sense of, translate and transform raw data empowering and justifying actions that clarify, simplify, and improve,
• History of passion seeking to improve processes, performance, and customer excitement and company competitiveness

BASIC EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university.
• 3+ years of engineering experience in a transportation field
• Excel in written and oral communication with the ability to distill complex technical data into inspiring design recommendations, actively fostering team morale, stakeholder buy-in, and a shared sense of optimism.
• Proficiency in engineering software/tools (e.g., nCode GlyphWorks, Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, MATLAB, AUTOSAR, SolidWorks, and Python scripting)
• All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Familiarity with state, federal, and Canadian regulations affecting school buses
• Experience with simulation tools and capabilities and interpreting output
• Currently valid commercial driver’s license (CDL)
• Master’s degree in an engineering field

WE VALUE

• Ability to anticipate and understand customer needs and provide guidance
• Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills to handle difficult and sensitive matters.
• Strong project management skills. Exposure to difficult or complex projects a plus.
• Ability to influence stakeholders
• Effective communication and ability to communicate complex details in a clear manner.
• Flexible workspaces and work hours helping unleash the best you.
• Working in a collaborative team and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporate objectives.

INCLUDES

• Continued Professional Development
• Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k matching

WORK CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office environment and production environment
• Must work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise
• Fast-paced production area with moving objects and sheet metal
• Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time
• You must wear appropriate PPE when and where required
• Frequent weeks working 40+ hours
• Frequent communication with people throughout the day

*The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Blue Bird® is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We strive to have the best available talent in every job based on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities each person brings. Blue Bird is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all forms.

All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.

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