Senior Engineer, Whole Vehicle Test Requirements & Validation – Offroad & Towing

What you’ll do

Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:

• Plan, develop, and execute whole-vehicle test cases focused on body interior systems and attributes, including seating systems, interior trim, cockpit systems, ergonomics, squeak and rattle performance, storage functionality, thermal comfort, and perceived quality. 
• Translate body interior functional and attribute requirements into executable test procedures with clear acceptance criteria. 
• Lead vehicle-level evaluations across proving grounds, public roads, environmental chambers, durability routes, customer usage simulations, and extreme climate conditions. 
• Define and execute test plans for seats, consoles, instrument panels, door trims, headliners, interior lighting, HVAC interfaces, storage systems, occupant touchpoints, and interior durability performance. 
• Coordinate with Body Interior, Seating, HVAC, Electrical, Safety, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, UXUI, and Attribute teams to ensure cross-functional alignment on requirements and validation expectations. 
• Prepare vehicles and instrumentation for interior evaluations, including microphones, accelerometers, thermal sensors, pressure mats, force gauges, vibration sensors, and data loggers. 
• Benchmark competitive vehicles to quantify target performance for attributes such as fit and finish, tactile feel, squeak and rattle performance, ergonomics, seating comfort, usability, and perceived quality. 
• Analyze objective and subjective test results, generate test reports, identify root causes, and support engineering teams in resolving issues. 
• Maintain full traceability between requirements and test cases using CodeBeamer, Jama, Jira, or equivalent tools. 
• Plan, organize, and lead validation trips including scheduling, route definition, customer usage simulations, data-logging strategy, and alignment with MSTs. 
• Document test execution, provide sign-off recommendations, and contribute to release decisions for body interior and whole-vehicle functions. 
• Integrate systems engineering mindset into daily work, ensuring clarity of requirements, ownership of validation scope, and alignment with the V-model. 

Location & Travel Expectations:

• This role may be based out of the Scout Motors corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC or Novi, Michigan. 
• This role requires 4-5 days per week in the office, with regular in-person meetings and events. 
• Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.

What you’ll bring 

We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring: 

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Human Factors Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field. 
• 8+ years of experience in body interior testing, seating systems development, interior durability testing, or whole-vehicle validation. 
• Experience developing and executing objective and subjective body interior test procedures. 
• Working knowledge of industry test standards and methodologies related to interior durability, ergonomics, squeak and rattle, occupant comfort, and environmental validation. 
• Hands-on experience with data-acquisition systems and instrumentation equipment used for body interior validation and occupant studies. 
• Strong understanding of seating systems, interior trim systems, HVAC interfaces, cockpit integration, ergonomics, and perceived quality attributes. 
• Competence using requirements-management tools (CodeBeamer, Jama, Polarion, DOORS). 
• Ability to analyze test data, interpret results, and communicate findings clearly to cross-functional teams. 
• Comfortable leading vehicle tests in diverse environments, including proving grounds, environmental chambers, and extreme climates. 
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills with ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment. 

What you'll gain

The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up.  This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation.  In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:

• Competitive insurance including:
  • Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
• 401(k) program with:
  • An employer match and immediate vesting
• Generous Paid Time Off including:
  • 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
  • 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
  • Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
  • Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave

Pay Transparency

This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program is preset and not candidate dependent.

Initial base salary range = $110,000.00 - $135,000.00

Internal leveling code: IC8