Test Engineer, Level III

Job Title: SENIOR ENGINEER

Reports To:  Manager, Engineering

Location:  CORPORATE (Irvine, CA  USA)    

Department: ENGINEERING               

SUMMARY:

Use material testing knowledge to support customer requirements and implementation optimized processes in support of company's strategic plan. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate with the Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) Team, determine Contract requirements, prepare Acceptance Test Report Formats (ATRF), regularly work with testing calendar to assure accuracy and consistent communication, prepare work orders for specimen preparation and testing, supervise execution of required testing activities, interact and communicate with customers witnessing tests, and work to achieve best possible outcomes.  Own completion of FAT activities in a manner consistent with corporate objectives.
• Participate with the Design Verification Test Program Team to prepare work orders, work with calendar, witness/supervise testing, review test data, author Type Test Reports (TRR), Test Reports (TR), and populate Validation Reports (Form 20) to support needs of Engineering, Business Development and Commercial activities.  
• Own and support CTC Global’s Test Lab ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, procedures, forms, and oversight of processes of the Quality Department’s operations to ensure competence in accredited testing activities.  Must be able to work with CTC’s Quality Director to achieve desired outcomes including assessment of competence.
• Maintain expertise and cause enforcement of requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 including identification of deviations from the management system, procedures for performing laboratory activities, initiation of actions to prevent or minimize such deviations, reporting to laboratory management on the performance of the management system and any need for improvement; and ensuring the effectiveness of laboratory activities.
• Maintain technical knowledge by reviewing test method standards, keeping library current, and managing any needed changes from current practice.
• Prepare and present ISO/IEC 17025 Management Review.
• Prepare and maintain ISO/IEC 17025 projects for assuring validity of results (round-robin testing) in conjunction with a Quality Engineer.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in conducting ISO/IEC 17025 testing activities and lead an Opportunities for Improvement team.  Work to optimize training, testing methods, and testing products.
• Continuously develop knowledge to train and guide technicians as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in composite material testing.  Must have thorough understanding of repeat, replacement, retest, and invalid testing situations and be able to immediately analyze and guide next steps when undesired situations occur.
• Work with Quality Director, outside vendors, and consultants to assure success of ability to perform testing activities in a timely manner.  Work to foresee situations that bring risk to desired outcomes.
• Participate with the Technology Team to assist with testing expertise and knowledge. 
• Work to support needs of other members in Engineering, Commercial, Business Development, Operations, and Quality Departments.
• Maintain product and company reputation by assurance of compliance with applicable industry standards and government regulations.

The above essential duties and responsibilities is a partial list of job responsibilities and other duties may be assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Prefer a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial or similar engineering field.
• Requires 10+ years practical engineering experience in composite materials, materials testing, or composite structures.
• Requires 6+ years practical quality experience with ISO/IEC 17025 practices and controls.
• Requires 2+ years practical specimen preparation experience for testing activities.
• Excellent technical writing skills and command of English language for preparation of work instructions, forms, reports, internal and external communications. 
• Demonstrate familiarity with testing, data analysis, and critical thinking to resolve replacement, repeat, and retest issues.
• Ability to multi-task, set priorities, and meet strict deadlines.
• Must be able to use logic, rationalization, and reasoning to offer solutions to problems.
• Proficiency with computer software, especially being able to efficiently format documents in Microsoft Word and program typical testing analysis in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to program and operate mechanical and analytical test equipment including United, Instron, and TA Instruments test frames.

EXPECTATIONS

• Be able to demonstrate a professional and positive attitude as well as a passion for supporting the execution of testing and accomplishment of meeting customer needs.
• Have ability to learn process of analyzing customer needs in accordance with available documents in a timely fashion.
• To continuously strive to support processes that produce desired outcomes and minimize risk of undesired issues in an impartial manner.
• Be able to work diligently to identify and support company goals, needed controls and opportunities for improvements.  Must have ability to encourage others to deliver results of processes they own.
• Work shall be performed impartially and be within common professional practices.

Benefits for all full-time employees include:

Medical (HMO/PPO Plan Options)
Dental
Vision
Group Term Life Insurance (CTC pays 100% of the premium)
Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability (CTC pays 100% of the premium)
Flexible Spending Account
401K
15 paid vacation days (more after 5 years)
9 paid holidays
5 paid sick leave days