Company Overview
LiuGong is a global leader in the construction machinery industry, dedicated to building powerful, reliable, and innovative equipment. Our European operations are pivotal to our global strategy, serving a sophisticated and demanding market. We are seeking a passionate and expert Hydraulic Systems Engineer to be the vital link between our European market insights and our headquarters R&D Center, driving the competitiveness of LiuGong products.
Position Summary
As our Test and Validation Engineer for Europe, you will be instrumental in ensuring our machinery meets the highest standards of safety, performance, and reliability for the demanding European market. You will take ownership of the entire testing lifecycle for new products, from planning and execution to data analysis and reporting. This role is critical to our mission of delivering world-class construction equipment and requires a hands-on, analytical engineer with a passion for quality and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Test Strategy & Execution:
(a) Develop, author, and execute comprehensive validation plans (DVP&R) for new LiuGong machinery, tailored to European market requirements and customer applications.
(b) Conduct rigorous field and lab-based tests on mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems to validate performance, durability, and safety.
(c) Lead test activities, making real-time decisions to adapt test parameters, repeat tests, and troubleshoot issues to ensure data integrity.
2. Data Analysis & Technical Reporting:
(a) Perform advanced analysis of test data using statistical tools to identify trends, failures, and opportunities for design improvement.
(b) Author detailed, data-driven test reports and technical documentation, effectively communicating findings, conclusions, and recommendations to headquarters engineering departments.
(c) Lead post-test reviews and present clear, concise summaries of validation outcomes to management.
3. Compliance & Quality Assurance:
(a) Ensure all validation activities and machinery comply with relevant European directives, regulations, and industry standards (e.g., EN474, Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC).
(b) Maintain meticulous records for all validation activities to support certification and audit requirements.
(c) Actively participate in internal and external quality audits and support the implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
(a) Partner closely with the R&D engineering team in China (HQ) to provide early feedback on design for testability and reliability.
(b) Collaborate with European Product Management and Sales teams to translate customer needs and field issues into actionable test cases.
(c) Coordinate with suppliers and external test facilities to optimize test programs.
5. Continuous Improvement & Risk Management:
(a) Drive the continuous improvement of test methodologies, procedures, and instrumentation to enhance efficiency and data quality.
(b) Proactively perform risk assessments (e.g., FMEA) on testing processes and product designs to identify and mitigate potential failures.
(c) Stay abreast of advancements in construction equipment technology and evolving regulatory standards.
6. Site & Equipment Management:
(a) Champion safety at the test site; conduct risk assessments and implement measures to ensure a zero-harm environment.
(b) Manage the calibration, maintenance, and inventory of test facilities, instrumentation, and vehicles.
Travel Requirements:
1. Annual travel to LiuGong HQ in China for approximately 2-3 months for technical alignment and training.
2. Regular travel within Europe and the UK (up to 30%) for customer site testing, field data collection, and supporting local market needs.
Qualifications & Skills:
Essential:
1. Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
2. Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on validation or testing experience within the construction, agricultural, or heavy machinery industry.
3. Strong technical knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems.
4. Proven proficiency with data acquisition systems and data analysis software (e.g., Minitab, MATLAB, LabVIEW).
5. Demonstrated ability to operate heavy equipment (e.g., excavators, wheel loaders, telehandlers) for evaluation purposes.
6. Solid understanding of European regulatory standards, directives and customer satisfied for construction machinery.
7. Excellent root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
8. Strong project coordination and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tests simultaneously.
9. Exceptional technical documentation and report writing skills.
10. Fluent in English; Italy speaking is a plus