Description

Main objectives of the role

  • Lead the validation and testing strategy for all mechanical components and full product assemblies.
  • Have a direct impact on product quality from the earliest prototype stages through to mass production.
  • Function as the main communication conduit between the external US-based mechanical engineering team and the Berlin-based development teams.

Your role and responsibilities

Validation strategy and execution:

  • Design, develop, and execute comprehensive validation and reliability test plans for mechanical components and complete active loudspeaker products.
  • Perform hands-on testing on prototypes and ensure product durability and robustness by specifying and arranging dedicated test procedures (e.g., environmental, shock/vibration, life-cycle).

Prototyping lead on mechanical engineering:

  • Take the lead during all prototyping phases in Berlin, ensuring an intense focus on early mechanical validation and failure prevention through DFMEA and risk analyses.
  • Drive the definition and execution of mechanical test procedures for prototypes built on-site.

Design for excellence:

  • Actively participate in design reviews, critically applying DFM (Design for Manufacturability) and DFA (Design for Assembly) principles.
  • Provide practical, engineering-focused feedback to the design teams to optimize mechanical parts for high-volume, quality production.

Technical bridging and collaboration:

  • Function as the main communication conduit between the external US-based mechanical engineering team and the Berlin-based development teams.

The ideal candidate is

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Hardware Validation Engineer with a strong background in mechanical engineering to be the driving force behind product reliability for our active loudspeaker systems.

The ideal candidate:

  • Has a strong background in mechanical engineering.
  • Is highly collaborative and hands-on.
  • Is comfortable acting as the primary technical bridge between an external mechanical engineering lead and mechanical engineering team (US-based) and an internal multi-disciplinary development team (electrical, acoustics, software) in Europe.
  • Is willing and able to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally.
  • Has the ability to travel to the US.

What you need to succeed in this role

Education and experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical discipline.
  • Proven professional experience in a hardware validation, reliability, or quality engineering role focused on physical products with strong electro-mechanical integration.

Testing and prototyping expertise:

  • Demonstrable hands-on experience creating, managing and performing detailed hardware validation protocols.
  • Strong experience with building fast prototypes, validating concepts and designs as early as possible.

Manufacturing and design acumen:

  • Strong working knowledge of DFM/DFA methodologies and how mechanical design impacts manufacturing quality and yield.
  • Experience with manufacturing processes such as extrusion, injection molding, die casting and additive manufacturing.
  • CAD software experience for mechanical design reviews, tolerance analysis, and support of manufacturing/assembly teams.
  • Experience with PTC Onshape is considered a strong plus.
  • Comfortable with CAD software for des