Experimental Operations Leader About The Job As Experimental Operations Leader, you will lead a team of engineers in a broad range of engine development activities aimed at bringing LPI's rotary engines to production. You will be responsible for planning and execution of all testing, measurement, and data collection activities required to develop novel engine concepts and supporting systems. You will be part of the engineering leadership team that is responsible for setting and achieving the technical objectives of the company.
Required Qualifications: BS or higher in Mechanical Engineering, MS or Ph.D. preferred 5+ years of professional experience with engine testing and/or calibration. Expertise in MATLAB and automation of data analysis. Ability to maintain enthusiasm, work ethic, and open mind through challenging projects. Specific responsibilities include: Lead the Experimental Operations team by coaching, engaging, providing feedback, establishing work plans, and setting high expectations for the team members. Define the strategy for accomplishing experimental development activities as part of the engineering leadership team. Establish & execute plans for investments in equipment, facilities, and team staffing. Oversee the team responsible for designing and building experimental test systems & tools to deliver the data needed by Product Development. Ensure the integrity & quality of experimental data, conclusions, and reports produced by the engineering team. Establish and enforce practices to ensure safety and regulatory compliance for the facility. Enlist and oversee consultants, contractors, interns - as needed to supplement the full-time staff. Identify and address performance gaps and skill deficiencies within the lab team and provide constructive feedback to other engineering teams and leaders. Establish practices and processes to ensure that test articles are measured and documented appropriately before and after testing (build & teardown reports). Identify opportunities to accomplish development objectives in creative ways that deliver higher quality or faster results or lower costs. Pursue advanced data analysis, management, and post-processing techniques to find the most value from every experiment. Operate as a "player/coach" by delegating or directly engaging in work, as needed. Contribute to product development advancements, particularly in the areas of performance tuning, electronics integration, and diagnostic features. Follow company policies (data management procedures, time reporting, IP protection, regulatory compliance, etc.). Communicate professionally with teammates. Provide clear documentation of results, summaries, and executive summaries. Maintain a spirited, open-minded disposition and "can-do" attitude despite obstacles and setbacks. Helpful Skills: Experience with advanced rotary or piston engine technologies (EGR, Miller cycle, HCCI, boosting, etc.) Experience with bearings, gears, seals, high-speed rotating machinery. Experience working in a machine shop/prototype environment. Experience with engine simulation tools (GT Power, CONVERGE, etc) Experience growing a small/medium-sized company.
