Test Engineer I

Join Gabriel North America, a market leader in suspension systems products, established in 1907. We design, manufacture, and distribute top-notch suspension products for automotive aftermarket and other specialty vehicles. With a robust team of over 1,100 employees across multiple locations in the US and Mexico, we offer a dynamic and collaborative work environment. If you're passionate about the automotive industry and are eager to be part of a century-old innovating company, apply now and accelerate your career with us!

This position is with Gabriel Ride Control LLC, a proud member of MAT Holdings Inc. We’re a family of companies and products providing employment opportunities with more than 14,000 employees in 12 countries. Founded in 1984, MAT Holdings, Inc. is a privately held $2.2 billion multi-national company with manufacturing operations, distribution centers, and sourcing offices worldwide in the automotive, fencing, hardware, and power equipment sectors. Headquartered in Long Grove, Illinois, we have over 40 factories on three continents, including 2.1 million square feet of U.S. distribution and manufacturing space.

Benefits

• MAT Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries offer a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance after 60 days of employment
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including paid vacation, sick days, and paid holidays
• 401k Retirement Plan + Company Match
• Career Advancement Program, training and development
• Wellness Programs, including fitness reimbursements and mental health support
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Voluntary Life / AD&D , Employer Provided Life/AD&D
• and More

This position supports the testing of Ride Control, LLC products. The individual will assist with all testing aspects of the product's design and engineering, including technical specifications and design standards. The individual will provide engineering and technical support to customers and internal departments, application engineering activities, and documentation to support all activities. In addition, this role will operate and troubleshoot all standard and specialized equipment to produce superior parts.

Principle Responsibilities

• Schedule, coordinate, and perform testing through the test request system.
• Lead technicians through test requests and provide problem-solving support.
• Create and maintain test records - data collection, preparation, and reporting.
• Capturing statistical data to analyze, review, and use for recommended improvements.
• Development of test procedures, programs, and test fixtures.
• Analyze root causes to resolve issues and improve efficiencies.
• Adhere to standards to comply with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory requirements.
• Work with requesters to develop DVP testing requirements.
• Maintain familiarity with engineering specifications and product design standards.
• Work with outside laboratories to perform tests as needed.
• Present engineering and testing proficiency to internal and external customers.
• Ensure the satisfactory functioning of all equipment through regular maintenance, checks, and services.
• Make repairs – minor and major to equipment used in the lab environment.
• Assists with new test development and data acquisition projects.
• Keeps the workplace in compliance with all safety rules and regulations, both company and federal, in order to establish a clean and hazard-free environment.

Competencies

• Excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task and shift priorities as needed.
• Ability to coordinate work with multiple test stands and test requests in parallel.
• Problem solving and analysis, careful and systematic evaluation of information, possible alternatives, and consequences.
• A demonstrated ability to work well in a team environment, take initiative, and work independently under day-to-day supervision.
• Thinks conceptually and intuitively, linking problems and symptoms to identify underlying issues and root causes.
• Makes sound decisions in a timely and confident manner.
• Ability to influence and shape the decisions of others and to work through issues or conflicts.
• Proficient in the use of precision measuring tools and instruments.
• Capable of analyzing mathematical information and translating problems into solutions.
• Operate Servo Hydraulic equipment: set up, operate, record data, and report.
• Ensure proper internal and external interdisciplinary coordination and effective communication on projects.
• Work with outside suppliers as needed to convey specifications/requirements.
• Ability to communicate well with all levels of the organization; strong interpersonal skills.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Automotive-related experience in test and development work.
• Knowledge of Servo Hydraulic Equipment and MTS software.
• Demonstrated ability to set up independently and test equipment.
• Hands-on vehicle development and/or testing experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Mechanically inclined - Understanding of basic machine tool operation.

Desired Experience:

• Knowledge of chassis systems/suspensions and components.
• Understanding of damper tuning and benchmarking.
• Experience in a ‘shop’ environment (drill press, band saw, sander, chop saw, arbor press, etc.).
• Ability to interpret prints and GD&T training
• Experience with test programming and data acquisition systems: Preferably MTS Systems Damper Force and Multi-Purpose Testware; National Instruments, HBM, and Dataq Instruments.
• ISO 9001, TS/IATF 16949, and/or ISO/IEC 17025 experience.
• Knowledge of data acquisition and durability analysis software.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.