HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
- Identify and mitigate areas of risk for new products by developing validation plans, adapting existing test methods, or creating new approaches when needed.
- Evaluate product readiness for production by analyzing test results, assessing rider and business risk, and recommending additional testing or validation activities when required.
- Work closely with Field Quality and Design teams to reduce warranty claims and increase rider satisfaction.
- Partner with Design Engineering, Quality, and Product teams to identify validation requirements, communicate technical findings, and recommend risk mitigation actions.
- Conduct structured failure investigations by analyzing field issues, identifying contributing factors, and developing lab-based test approaches to reproduce failures.
- Lead the replication of complex field failures using test methods and investigative approaches of your own design, while collaborating with peers to validate findings and conclusions.
- Analyze testing and failure data to identify probable root causes, determine whether changing failure modes require revised validation criteria, and recommend appropriate test strategies.
- Reach across product categories and teams to provide broader technical context, helping teams learn from validation challenges, failure modes, and quality issues encountered elsewhere in the organization.
- Collaborate with Field Quality to correlate laboratory results with warranty and field performance data.
- Recommend alternative testing methodologies to Design teams by leveraging Specialized's full library of validation methods and institutional knowledge.
- Aid in developing new test machines.
- Own and maintain existing test equipment.
- Modify and adapt existing test methodologies to address new product configurations, evolving design risks, and validation requirements.
- Create new test methods for unique product risks, delivering quantifiable data that supports engineering and product decisions.
WHAT YOU NEED TO WIN
- 2-4 years of experience in test development or data acquisition and analysis. Equivalent experience in FEA, Quality Engineering, or Mechanical Design Engineering may be considered with appropriate technical skills. This is not a "behind the desk" job.
- Demonstrated ability to balance the use of established test methods with the development of new approaches when emerging product risks require innovative solutions.
- Experience investigating complex failure modes and translating field observations into repeatable laboratory validation methods.
- Strong technical judgment with the ability to assess risk, interpret test results, and recommend appropriate validation criteria and next steps.
- Familiar with data acquisition and analysis concepts using strain gauges, load cells, potentiometers, and accelerometers.
- Familiar with feedback control systems such as PLC logic and PID feedback loops.
- Experience managing competing priorities among Design, Quality, and project timeline requirements.
- Proficient with fixture design and rapid prototyping, including CAD, GD&T, and basic manual machining tools such as mills and lathes.
- Willingness to travel internationally up to four times per year and maintain a flexible schedule to collaborate effectively with teams in Europe and Asia.
Pay
Below is a summary of compensation elements for this role at the company if based in the following locations:
California Base Pay Range: $93,000 - 128,000
At Specialized, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package and will depend on your work experience, skills, certification, and location.
LOCATION
- Morgan Hill, CA (4 days in office)
BENEFITS
As a full-time, regular teammate, you are eligible for the following benefits, beginning the first of the month following your start date.
Benefits include:
- Competitive pay with annual performance-based reviews for continued growth and recognition
- Comprehensive healthcare plan options, including PPO, EPO, HDHP, and HMO (acupuncture and physical therapy included)
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer HSA contributions when enrolled in the High-Deductible Healthcare Plan (HDHP)
- Dental and Vision plans
- 401(k) Company Matching up to $5,000 annually with immediate 100% vesting and administrative fees paid for by the company
- Company-paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program that provides access to individualized mental well-being care
- Generous Vacation, Sick, Paid Holidays, and Volunteer Time Off
- 14 weeks of 100% paid leave for birthing parents and 8 weeks of 100% paid leave for non-birthing parents, plus a Specialized bike for your new baby
- Up to $9,000 annually in Career Development & Degree Assistance
- Up to $250 annually in Fitness & Wellness Reimbursement
- Industry Pro-Deal Discounts and Perks
For additional information on benefits and perks, please visit: https://benefits.specialized.com.
We want to increase representation of all races, genders, and body types in the cycling industry and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where all people thrive. We encourage everyone – especially those from marginalized groups – to apply to our job postings and help us earn the position as the rider’s brand of choice. We are always looking for creative, innovative, and passionate people who are eager to contribute to our mission of pedaling the planet forward. Regardless of your qualifications, if you are ready to make a difference, please apply and let us know how you can make an impact at Specialized! See what we are up to on LinkedIn, Instagram.
Skills Required
- 2-4 years of experience in test development or data acquisition and analysis
- Equivalent experience in FEA, Quality Engineering, or Mechanical Design Engineering may be considered with appropriate technical skills
- Ability to balance established test methods with innovative approaches for emerging product risks
- Experience investigating complex failure modes and translating field observations into repeatable laboratory validation methods
- Strong technical judgment for assessing risk, interpreting test results, and recommending validation criteria
- Familiarity with data acquisition and analysis using strain gauges, load cells, potentiometers, and accelerometers
- Familiarity with PLC logic and PID feedback loops
- Experience managing competing priorities among Design, Quality, and project timeline requirements
- Proficiency with fixture design and rapid prototyping, including CAD and GD&T
- Basic manual machining skills using mills and lathes
- Willingness to travel internationally up to four times per year
- Ability to maintain a flexible schedule to collaborate with teams in Europe and Asia
Specialized Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Specialized and has not been reviewed or approved by Specialized.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with Fidelity offers up to $5,000 in annual employer matching with immediate vesting, and the company covers plan administrative fees for active employees. This provides strong retirement support within the total package.
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Parental & Family Support — Published materials describe 6–8 weeks at 100% pay for birthing recovery and 8 weeks of fully paid parental bonding, alongside fertility benefits and adoption assistance. Some materials indicate certain roles or locations may offer even longer fully paid leave.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Cycling‑centric perks include substantial gear discounts, race entry fee support, on‑site fitness options, healthy on‑site meals, an employee bike service center, and a dog‑friendly HQ. These benefits can meaningfully enhance day‑to‑day experience for those who value the cycling culture.
Specialized Insights
What We Do
Founded on the principle of performance and fueled by innovation, our focus on the rider and their needs is our constant. From seasoned pros and weekend warriors, to kids and commuters—if you ride, we’re for you. The passion we have for sharing our love of bikes with the world can be seen in those who choose to work here. Headquartered in Morgan Hill, CA, the passionate and creative teammates at Specialized have designed and manufactured the world's most innovative bikes and gear since 1974. Are you ready to join our team and help pedal the planet forward?







