Thermal Test Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Thermal Test Engineer managing state-of-the-art thermal lab tests for Ford’s electric vehicles. Leading physical testing activities from component characterization to full vehicle validation.

Posted 5/8/2026full-timeLong Beach • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $100,400 - $232,700 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lab Management: Work with other thermal test engineers and technicians to manage and maintain the thermal test lab facilities, including equipment calibration, scheduling, and ensuring a safe and efficient testing environment.
Test Fixture Design: Collaborate with Design Engineers to design, procure, and validate specialized test fixtures for component, subsystem, and system-level thermal testing.
Component & Subsystem Characterization: Plan and execute characterization tests for individual thermal components (pumps, valves, heat exchangers, compressors, etc.) and integrated subsystems (coolant loops, refrigeration circuits, HVAC modules). Provide empirical data to System Engineers for plant model validation.
Full Vehicle Validation: Lead and execute comprehensive full vehicle thermal validation tests in environmental chambers, climatic wind tunnels, and on test tracks, simulating various real-world and extreme operating conditions.
Data Acquisition & Analysis: Select, install, and calibrate appropriate instrumentation (thermocouples, pressure transducers, flow meters) and manage high-volume data acquisition systems. Analyze test data to assess performance, identify anomalies, and support root cause analysis.
Test Automation: Develop and implement automated testing protocols for long-term durability and reliability cycles. Partner with systems and controls engineers to integrate robust safety loops and external monitoring, ensuring autonomous tests operate safely and fail gracefully under anomalous conditions.
Reporting: Prepare detailed test plans, procedures, and reports summarizing test results, findings, and recommendations for various engineering teams.
Troubleshooting: Provide critical empirical data and test expertise to support troubleshooting efforts across all thermal engineering disciplines.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related engineering discipline or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
3+ years of experience in thermal testing, lab management, and/or test fixture design, preferably in the automotive industry.
Strong practical knowledge of thermal measurement techniques, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.
Experience with environmental testing (e.g., climatic chambers, wind tunnels).
Proficiency in data analysis tools using Python.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and schematics.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

thermal testingtest fixture designdata acquisitiondata analysisinstrumentationenvironmental testingPythonmechanical drawings interpretationcalibrationtroubleshooting

Soft Skills

collaborationleadershipcommunicationproblem-solvingorganizational skills

Certifications

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering