Clark's RaD (Research & Development) team evaluates the reliability, safety, and quality of both new item work (products in development, prior to launch) and existing item work (in-market products, field issues, and customer complaints). Today that scope is primarily large commercial foodservice equipment, and it is expected to expand over time to include other product categories such as non-durable goods (e.g., disposable goods), furniture, and industrial equipment for our private label product. The Product Test Engineer is an experienced, hands-on role responsible for planning test approaches, executing hands-on testing, and coordinating testing that is performed internally as well as testing set up and delegated to external labs, suppliers, or other third parties. This role works daily with supplier quality engineers and product managers across the product development and test process, including reviewing supplier and vendor test data against Clark's requests and product test plan, and working with product managers to clarify the technical requirements of the product under test.
This is an experienced individual contributor position, not an entry-level role, and should thrive in a fast-paced environment. Depending on a candidate's background, the balance of this role may lean more toward hands-on test execution or more toward test plan development and project management; both paths into this role are critical to our success.
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Plans test approaches and executes functional, safety, and reliability testing on both new item work (products in development) and existing item work (in-market products); documents findings in clear, structured reports for purchasing teams, product managers, and manufacturers.
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Coordinates testing performed internally as well as testing set up and delegated to external labs, suppliers, or other third parties; reviews results against Clark's product test plan to confirm requirements are met.
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Reviews supplier and vendor test data and documentation submitted in response to requests generated through Clark's product development process.
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Works with product managers through clarification exercises to help narrow down the technical requirements of the product being tested or developed.
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Investigates product failures, field complaints, and warranty data on existing items to identify root causes and recommend corrective or preventive actions.
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Operates data acquisition (DAQ) tools and test instrumentation (temperature, power, pressure, humidity, and similar parameters); analyzes collected data and identifies trends that inform product improvements.
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Partners regularly and directly with supplier quality engineers, product managers, and manufacturers throughout the test and validation lifecycle, from early review through issue resolution and product release.
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Conducts hands-on testing across a range of product types, which may include mechanical, electrical, gas, and plumbing systems.
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Works within testing priorities set by team leadership to plan and execute test timelines, with flexibility in day-to-day sequencing and approach; communicates status and timing to stakeholders as work progresses.
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Sources, calibrates, and maintains the test equipment, tools, and materials needed to support testing.
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Conducts market and competitive research on product categories under test to identify trends, customer expectations, and common complaints; uses findings to identify improvement opportunities.
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Other duties as assigned.
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Work is performed while sitting/standing and interfacing with a personal computer.
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Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision, and hearing.
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Requires the regular use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations.
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Requires occasional bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, and reaching.
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Requires the ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull medium weights, up to 50lbs.
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2-3+ years of experience in product testing, quality engineering, reliability engineering, field repair/service technician work, product engineering, or product design, appliance design, or related technical field.
- Experience in AC/DC power systems, wiring, electrical theory, and can safely use digital multimeters.
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Demonstrated, hands-on experience troubleshooting, repairing, or assembling mechanical and electrical systems.
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Experience with gas and water plumbing systems is a plus.
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A degree is not required. A degree in an adjacent or relevant field (Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, or similar) is a strong fit, but equivalent hands-on experience will be weighed equally. Examples of equivalent experience include: years as a field service technician diagnosing and repairing equipment; hands-on product design, prototyping, or manufacturing/process engineering experience; or military or trade-school technical training combined with applied, hands-on troubleshooting experience.
This role does not require a degree. We value relevant skills and experience and alignment with our core values above all else.
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Ability to analyze data sets and test results, identify trends, and communicate findings clearly in written reports.
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Hands-on proficiency with data acquisition tools and test instrumentation (DAQ systems, multimeters, oscilloscopes, thermocouples, power meters, manometers, anemometers, and similar equipment).
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Strong cross-functional communication skills; comfortable working directly and regularly with supplier quality engineers, product managers, and outside manufacturers.
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Familiarity with FMEA, 5-Why, and/or root cause analysis methods; formal certification is not required, and willingness to build on this knowledge is valued.
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Material knowledge: able to identify and distinguish common metals, plastics, and other materials used in the products under test.
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Strong mechanical aptitude and demonstrated troubleshooting ability across a range of equipment types.
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Basic fabrication skills (drilling, cutting, forming) and proficiency with hand and power tools.
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Solid project and time management skills; comfortable working within set priorities and building an execution plan.
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Proficient with standard office and computer applications for reporting and documentation.
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Requires the ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull medium weights, up to 100 lbs.
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While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to operating electrical parts, gas operated equipment, moving mechanical parts, and vehicles (eg forklifts).
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Occasional activities may involve exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity, and exposure to dust, fumes, and gases.
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The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
A rapidly growing, multi-divisional company headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with services supporting all of Clark’s distribution methods in the food service industry.
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Medical
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Vision
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Dental
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PTO
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Paid Maternity Leave
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Paid Parental Leave
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Life Insurance
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Disability
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Dependent Care FSA
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401(k) matching
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Employee Assistance Program
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Wellness Incentives
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Company Discounts
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AT&T & Verizon Discount
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Bonus Opportunities
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Accident Insurance
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Critical Illness Insurance
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Adoption Assistance
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On-Site Fitness Centers
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Dog-friendly Offices
