Test and R&D Engineer

Job Title:  Test and R&D Engineer

Department: Engineering

Reports To: Engineering Manager

Supervises: N/A

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Date Reviewed: October 1st, 2026 

Summary/Objectives: Research, develop, plan, and execute physical testing and validation activities for new and existing products used in the traffic and utility industries. The R&D / Test Engineer will be responsible for developing test methods, designing and building test fixtures, conducting physical testing, collecting and analyzing test data, and documenting test results to verify product performance and correlate physical test results with engineering analysis and simulations. This is a hands-on position!

The R&D / Test Engineer will participate in the product development process from initial concept through product introduction and ongoing product improvement. This position will work closely with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Sales/Marketing, and outside testing laboratories to develop and validate products that meet defined performance criteria and applicable industry standards.

The R&D / Test Engineer will also be responsible for developing and maintaining the company's internal testing capabilities, equipment, procedures, and documentation. This position is expected to be active and engaged in research and development activities and contribute to the company's product development and engineering capabilities at a high level.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following (other duties may be assigned):

• Develop and execute test plans for new product development, design changes, and existing product validation.
• Research, develop, and implement test methods and procedures to evaluate product performance, durability, strength, reliability, and failure modes.
• Design and develop test fixtures, tooling, and equipment required to conduct physical testing.
• Conduct physical testing of components, assemblies, and complete products in accordance with defined test procedures and applicable industry standards.
• Set up and operate instrumentation and data acquisition equipment for physical testing.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and interpret test data to determine product performance and compliance with defined requirements.
• Prepare detailed test reports documenting test setup, procedures, results, observations, failures, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Correlate physical test results with engineering calculations, FEA, dynamic simulations, and other analytical methods.
• Investigate product and test failures to determine root cause and recommend corrective actions or design improvements.
• Develop prototypes and test articles for product development and validation activities.
• Work closely with Design Engineering to identify and resolve design issues discovered during prototype and validation testing.
• Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering to identify and resolve manufacturing-related issues affecting product performance or test results.

• Support testing required for compliance with applicable standards and specifications, including but not limited to AASHTO, FHWA, MUTCD, MASH, ASTM, and applicable state DOT requirements.
• Coordinate and support testing conducted by outside laboratories, universities, customers, and other third-party organizations.
• Establish and maintain documented internal test procedures and standard work for recurring product and component testing.
• Support product development projects through prototype evaluation, design verification, and product validation.
• Participate in design reviews and provide test and validation input to Design Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering.
• Maintain accurate records of test equipment, test articles, test data, photographs, videos, and engineering documentation.
• Maintain a safe and organized testing environment and ensure testing activities are conducted in accordance with applicable safety requirements.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the

essential functions.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

(List of knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform this job)

• Must be physically able to use tools and install and test hardware
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to design, build, modify, and troubleshoot physical test setups.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret test data and identify trends and failure modes
• Ability to use measurement tools, instrumentation, and data acquisition equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate and repeatable test results

Education and/or Experience:

Required: 

• Engineering Degree or related field of study
• 0-3 years of hands-on experience in engineering testing, product development, validation, manufacturing engineering, or a related engineering environment

Preferred:

• Experience with AutoCAD and Inventor 3D modeling.
• Experience with castings, extrusions, injection molding and manufacturing processes
• FE Certification

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The employee is required to stand for long periods of time and occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move heavier items utilizing a team lift. Required Personal Protective Equipment includes, but is not limited to, safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toe shoes, respirator mask, and coveralls. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to airborne contaminants, moving mechanical parts and vibration. Work environment is not climate-controlled. The noise level may exceed permissible exposure limit and hearing protection may be required.  

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Full-Time. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00AM – 5:00PM. 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off. Hours are subject to change at any time. 

Travel:
Minimal travel would be expected for this position.