Water Test Engineer
1 day ago
Dearborn
Job Description Job Title: Water Test Engineer Job Description The Water Test Engineer leads comprehensive water testing activities for vehicle programs, with a focus on Vehicle on Wheels (VOW) and Body in Paint (BIP) testing across prototype and pre‑production builds. This role serves as the single point of contact for water leak concerns related to process and production tooling, partnering closely with product development, manufacturing, and quality teams. The engineer drives root cause analysis and resolution of water management issues, supports implementation of sealing subsystems in final assembly, and provides hands‑on coaching to production personnel. The position offers end‑to‑end ownership across the full product lifecycle, from early development through validation, launch, and scale‑up on a high‑visibility, strategically important vehicle program. Responsibilities • Lead Vehicle on Wheels (VOW) and Body in Paint (BIP) water testing for prototype builds at the New Model Product Development Center in Dearborn, Michigan, and pre‑production builds at the assembly plant in Louisville, Kentucky., • Act as the single point of contact for process and production tooling related water leak concerns, ensuring timely investigation, documentation, and resolution., • Interface with product development and cross‑functional teams to support root cause analysis and resolution of product‑related water management issues., • Plan, execute, and oversee body and paint sealing tests and vehicle on wheels water tests, ensuring test coverage aligns with program requirements., • Conduct testing, accurately report findings, and assign clear action items based on diagnosed issues, tracking them through to closure., • Provide coaching and hands‑on guidance to production personnel on water testing processes and procedures, including detailed instruction on vehicle preparation for testing., • Support the implementation of sealing subsystems within final assembly, including feasibility assessments, process development, tooling requirements, and workstation setup., • Apply process improvement and failure mode avoidance principles to enhance water testing methods, sealing processes, and manufacturing robustness., • Use 3D CAD tools such as Teamcenter, VisMockup, CATIA, or equivalent to review designs and support analysis of water management and sealing performance., • Leverage knowledge of PFMEA and root cause failure analysis to identify potential failure modes, prioritize risks, and recommend corrective actions., • Utilize relevant software systems (including WERS, GSPAS/APT, Teamcenter, E2KS, AIM/Jira, and Easyplan) to manage data, track issues, and support program execution., • Apply working knowledge of statistics, including control charts and data collection, to monitor process performance and validate corrective actions., • Coordinate cross‑functional responses to issues uncovered during testing, demonstrating the energy and confidence needed to drive timely resolution., • Regularly report out on water testing status, risks, and progress to new model launch management, providing clear, concise, and data‑driven updates., • Hands‑on experience with body and paint sealing testing and vehicle on wheels water testing., • Proven capability in root cause analysis and root cause failure analysis for manufacturing and product issues., • Strong understanding of process improvement, PFMEA, and failure mode avoidance principles., • Experience in process engineering and manufacturing processes related to sealing and water testing., • 3D CAD review abilities using tools such as Teamcenter, VisMockup, CATIA, or equivalent., • Demonstrated ability to conduct testing, accurately report results, and assign actionable follow‑up items., • Ability to coordinate and drive resolution of issues uncovered during testing with energy, confidence, and ownership., • Knowledge and practical use of software systems including WERS, GSPAS/APT, Teamcenter, E2KS, AIM/Jira, and Easyplan., • Working knowledge of statistics, including use of control charts and data collection for process monitoring., • Experience supporting new model or all‑new vehicle program launches from early development through validation and scale‑up., • Experience in sealing subsystem implementation within final assembly, including feasibility, tooling, and workstation setup., • Experience working in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment with engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, and supplier partners., • Comfort working on high‑visibility programs where decisions have direct impact and contributions are highly visible. This role operates primarily within automotive development and assembly plant environments, with significant on‑site presence at both prototype and pre‑production build locations. The position is based out of Dearborn, Michigan, with frequent travel of up to approximately 90% to plants, supplier locations, and testing facilities out of state to support program launch. Time is split between DCV builds located in Dearborn, Michigan, and pre‑production builds at the assembly plant in Louisville, Kentucky. The primary location is Dearborn in Q2 2026, transitions to a split between Dearborn and Louisville in Q3 2026, and shifts to Louisville, Kentucky as the primary location in Q4 2026. The work environment is fast‑paced and highly collaborative, involving close interaction with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams on the shop floor and in technical offices. You will work with water testing equipment, sealing and assembly tools, 3D CAD systems, and a range of engineering and launch management software. The role offers high visibility, exposure across the full product lifecycle, and the opportunity to contribute directly to a strategically important, all‑new vehicle program. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Dearborn, MI. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $48.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision, • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital, • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available, • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents), • Short and long-term disability, • Health Spending Account (HSA), • Transportation benefits, • Employee Assistance Program • Hiring diverse talent, • Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection, • Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.