Design & Validation Engineer - R&D

Design & Validation Engineer – R&D

Position Summary:

Skyjack is seeking a Design and Validation Engineer to join our Design Development and Validation Group which operates at the core of advanced mobile machinery innovation and high-impact engineering where complex theoretical design meets the physics of heavy equipment. In this role, you will be instrumental in ensuring the safety, reliability, and performance of our world-class mobile elevating work platforms and material handling equipment. Your contribution will help with the structural, functional, and environmental evolution of next-generation mobile equipment.

Performance Expectations:

• Comprehensive Design Validation Plans (DVP): You will lead and be responsible for executing DVP’s, applying rigorous validation across structural, mechanical, hydraulic and electrical domains and oversee a wide array of critical verifications. 

• Structural & Mechanical Evaluation: Evaluate static and dynamic stability envelopes, structural load distribution, stress concentrations, weight distributions, and fatigue life using advanced calculations, finite element analysis (FEA), and high-fidelity physical strain-gauge instrumentation.

• Performance & Kinematic Characterization: Design and execute complex performance evaluations.

• Hydraulic & Electrical Subsystem Verification: Investigate and optimize intricate hydraulic circuits, proportional valve responses, pressure mappings, electrical bus voltage/current transients, control interlocks, and power discharge profiles.

• Custom Validation Fixture & Data Acquisition Engineering: Design specialized evaluation fixtures and hardware setups. Leverage advanced data acquisition tools and software (such as LabVIEW and Somat) to capture, filter, and interpret transient physical phenomena.

• Root-Cause Failure Analysis & Design Evolution: Investigate prototype and field anomalies with a forensic engineering mindset. Perform root-cause failure analysis on mechanical, structural, or electronic subsystems and drive immediate, creative design improvements back into the engineering core.

• Environmental & Ingress Assessment: Validate equipment performance under diverse operational environments, including temperature extremes, duty-cycle stress, and ingress protection evaluation.

• Failure Analysis & Reliability Improvement: Investigate prototype and field equipment anomalies. Perform root-cause analysis on structural, mechanical, or electrical failures and provide actionable engineering recommendations to enhance product reliability.

• Technical Certification & Documentation: Synthesize complex physical findings into comprehensive engineering reports and formal documentation required for international design certification and compliance.

• Validation Asset Management: Maintain and update evaluation benches, measurement instrumentation, and data acquisition inventory to ensure industry-leading validation efficiency and accuracy.

Credentials:

• Engineering Degree in Mechanical, Hydraulic or Electrical Engineering. Mechatronics or any other relevant engineering-based programs could be considered. 

• Ideally, candidates should be eligible to register or working towards their P.Eng designation.

Desired Characteristics:

• Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience as a either a Validation, Mechanical, Design, or Electrical Design Engineer in preferably mobile/heavy equipment or related manufacturing environment.

• Core Skills:

  • Engineering calculations, physical evaluation, design and 3D modeling experience.

  • Strong technical writing and communication skills, capable of translating complex physical data into clear strategic direction for cross-functional engineering teams.

  • Ability to drive complex projects with minimal supervision and collaborate with multi-functional technical groups.

• Preferred:

  • Experience with electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic validation and development of evaluation plans.

  • Familiar with PLC’s or other programmable devices.

  • Experience with data acquisition hardware/software (e.g., Labview, Somat).

  • Familiarity with engineering software (e.g., MathCad, FEA, CFD, Automation Studio, Matlab Simulink). 

  • Troubleshooting experience with control circuits, electrical, and hydraulic systems.

What Linamar/Skyjack Has to Offer

• Competitive Compensation

• Employee Benefits package includes but not limited to, Drug, Dental & Vision etc. 

• Opportunities for career advancement.

• Sustainability Counsel 

• Community based outreach supporting both local and global initiatives and charities. 

About Skyjack:

Skyjack supplies construction rental companies globally with quality engineered, simple, and reliable access and telehandler equipment. Initially started as a scissor lift manufacturer in 1985, and has grown to become a world leader in the general Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) industry. 

As a dominant player in a consistently evolving industry, Skyjack employees thrive on absorbing new information and have a thirst for continuous improvement in their professional selves. In 2002 Skyjack became a part of the Linamar Corporation and has since been able to leverage strategic partnerships and use the guidance of their parent company to rapidly change the face of the access industry. 

Every aspect of the company is deeply rooted in Skyjacks safety initiatives as this can be an extremely challenging industry. Skyjack prides itself on being simply reliable and easy to do business with. This mission extends to the relationships with customers, suppliers, and employees.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet the full requirements for this position.­

Linamar is committed to promoting accessible recruitment as outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Linamar will attempt to accommodate persons with a disability in an appropriate and effective manner throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Accommodations will be provided upon request.

Linamar Corporation encourages applications from all qualified individuals and will reasonably accommodate applicants throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process upon request

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