Mechanical Test Engineer

Vanguard EMS, Inc. is in the service business. We build electronics assemblies for some of the most critical systems on Earth and beyond. Even with Vanguard’s advanced technology, vast manufacturing capability, and leading-edge information tools, we wake up every day thinking about how best to serve our customers, suppliers, and the communities in which we live.

The Mechanical Test Engineer - Environmental is the technical owner of production test equipment, tools and fixtures. This role is a hands-on, versatile engineer that will be responsible for our environmental test equipment, facility, processes and fixturing. They will support a facility improvement project to develop a new production environmental test area and implement new equipment expanding our environmental test capabilities. The role works closely with our Production, Quality and Product teams, as well as Suppliers and Customers.

• Evaluate, select and qualify environmental test equipment that meets customers’ requirements.
• Design test fixtures, plates, harnessing for environmental test applications.
• Lead the validation and verification of new test equipment and tooling.
• Ensure all equipment has the optimal preventative maintenance defined and establish new procedures.
• Establish facilities requirements for new environmental test area and collaborate with the Facilities team on the implementation of the upgrades.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues, working with both internal and external support to resolve issues in a timely manner to minimize production downtime.
• Automate processes and data collection for efficiency, process monitoring and analysis.
• Collect, analyze and drive action from qualification and production test data.
• Disposition nonconforming products, lead Root Cause and Corrective Actions.
• Utilize Design of Experiments to establish new processes and drive improvements to existing.
• Engage with customers on a variety of technical discussions and support technical inquiries/requests.
• Drive DFT with data captured from process development, NPI builds and our internal knowledge base so that customers receive feedback in a timely manner and information is communicated effectively in a way that provides them with the highest value.
• Ensure all customer/regulatory requirements are met for product throughout all Vanguard processes.
• Establish safety equipment, processes and controls for test area that meet and exceed all regulations.
• Create, coordinate, review and approve internal product documentation.
• Support production technicians and operators on issues that arise.

• Engineering bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical or related discipline. Or equivalent experience.
• Customer service orientated (internal and external) with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• US Citizen.

• Existing Secret level clearance or ability and willingness to obtain clearance.
• 2 years’ experience in an environmental test setting.
• Hands on experience with Thermal Chambers, Electrodynamic Shakers and TVAC.
• Experience with facility layout and improvement projects.
• Experience developing and qualifying new test processes.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing vibration plates, thermal fixtures, electrical test fixturing.
• High proficiency in part constraints, dimensioning, tolerancing and GD&T.
• Demonstrated experience selecting and qualifying new capital equipment.
• Practical knowledge of equipment and process qualification using IQ, OQ, PQ or similar.
• Demonstrated experience executing DOE’s, Gage R&R and other statistical analysis tools.
• Proficient at using Python, C , C#, LabVIEW (or equivalent language) for test automation, process automation and data analysis.
• Experience with SMC-S-016, DO-160 and/or MIL-STD-810.
• Experience in an ISO9001 / AS9100 / ISO13485 certified quality management system.
• Proficiency in business systems such as MES, PLM, ERP, MRB.

This Job Posting is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities associated with this position. Management reserves the right to modify and assign other duties as necessary

While performing the duties of this job, the employee uses his/her hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk or hear.  The employee uses computer and telephone equipment.  Specific vision requirements of this job include close vision and distance vision. 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described above are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

• Competitive Salary based on skill and experience level
• Profit Share
• 401(k) with match
• Up to 15 days earned paid time off in the first year of employment
• Paid Holidays
• Medical, Dental & Vision