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Form of workThe Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) is currently seeking talented candidates for an Engineering Cooperative Test Technician (Co-Op) role at our Silver Springs, NV location. At NATC, our Co-Ops work directly with a team of engineers intent on designing, manufacturing, and testing of innovative automotive mobility solutions, gaining irreplaceable hands-on technical experience combining lessons learned in the classroom with real world problems to form viable solutions. NATC Co-Ops have gone on to work on the leading edge of technology for submarines, racecars, and military/commercial vehicles around the word, including staying on as full-time engineers at NATC after graduating.
NATC OVERVIEW: Founded in 1957, the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) is a privately owned, independent test, evaluation, design and engineering facility offering development and certification testing to customers worldwide. We have substantial international experience, which allows us to evaluate products intended for global markets knowledgeably and objectively. NATC has compiled an extensive database of worldwide operational and infrastructure conditions allowing accurate definition of user duty cycles and creation of test programs that are representative of service environments around the world.
NATC is a leading innovator in translating real-world conditions into validated virtual proving ground simulation and virtual prototyping. NATCs location in the great basin of Nevada allows our team to access terrain that can represent 85% of the world within a 150 mile radius, providing an excellent test bed for off-road mobility. NATCs operational area includes 1200 sq.
miles of natural terrain, that when coupled with 6,200 acres of privately owned test courses, create an unparalleled testing area available to our engineers to innovate and solve our customers problems. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Assist in the completion of up to three (3) overhead projects intended to improve the quality control/quality assurance of a completed test. Project tasks include compiling a project schedule, problem definition, engineering approach, and supporting design reviews throughout the engineering process for completing the project.
Possible projects include but are not limited to the following: Improve NATC tow-dynamometer capabilities through the use of onsite equipment in order to successfully complete cooling and tractive effort evaluations on a wide range of vehicles. Function includes researching testing capabilities of equipment, drafting analysis tools supporting the test equipment, and conducting trials of improved quality control/quality assurance operating procedures for the equipment. Establish data processing techniques for measuring accurate roll and yaw angle in order to produce roll-gradient plots using NATC instrumentation assets.
Improve NATCs weather station to provide accurate live-data readouts for wind velocity meeting applicable testing standards. Work to update NATC test course database. This will include but is not limited to course photos, descriptions, physical measurements, GPS start and end points, and terrain classification.
Conduct research for commercial vehicle usage ranging from small passenger car to class 8 trucks. Data researched will be sales by region, cost, fuel types, recalls, and user types. Environmental chamber characterization and optimization.
This will include developing temperature and humidity profiles of various chambers and implementing processes and documentation on salt solutions for corrosion testing etc. Supports in-field vehicle tests by photographing, videotaping, or driving test or support vehicles as needed. Assists engineering and technician personnel in preparing test vehicles, instrumentation, and equipment for test conduct.
Inputs, organizes, and interprets data using NATC analysis techniques. Manages the data from the various instrumentation data acquisition systems, records project information. Enters project instrumentation run history and logs for the acquisition data into a database that allows searching for data recall.
Assists in drafting of final reports. Conducts research related to technical standards, test specifications, automotive suppliers, component sources, etc. Assists with hardware design, fabrication, and installation on vehicles.
This may include CAD drawing preparation, light machine work, and/or mechanical work. Other duties as assigned.
