Validation Engineer

About Turtlebox AudioThe first Turtlebox was born out of necessity. After breaking every “loud” product on the market through routine outdoor use, the idea of the Turtlebox was born in our garage, not as a business but just for personal use. Nothing else could get the job done.Most portable speakers aren’t actually meant for the outdoors and can’t withstand the elements, the ones that can aren’t loud enough to be heard. When you’re at the beach or on an ATV, you need sound to carry in order to hear it over the wind, waves, and boat engines, you need a Turtlebox.We soon realized that there was a huge need for the Turtlebox among likeminded adventurers and our journey began to set out to make the world’s loudest most rugged outdoor portable speaker.Click here for a peek inside our workplace!Role OverviewTurtlebox makes products for conditions that would break most consumer electronics — rain, UV, drops, temperature swings, sand, saltwater, heavy use. Before any product ships, someone has to prove it survives all of that, repeatedly and under conditions that can be documented and defended. That's this role.We're looking for a Validation Engineer to own the validation program end to end. This role reports to the Manager, Engineering. You'll develop DVP&Rs and test plans from scratch on every product, run validation across EVT through PVT, and make the call on whether a product is ready to ship. You'll also work directly with JDMs and suppliers to review their test plans and hold them to Turtlebox standards — because what gets reported externally needs to match what actually happened on the bench.This is a hands-on, high-accountability role. You write the test plan, you run the test, you own the result. If something fails, you lead the root cause and drive it to closure. If a supplier's data doesn't add up, you push back.Key ResponsibilitiesBuild and Own the Validation ProgramDevelop DVP&Rs and validation test plans for all Turtlebox products and major engineering changes — mechanical, environmental, electrical, and audioOwn the validation schedule and coordinate test activities across EVT, DVT, and PVT build cyclesDefine acceptance criteria and make clear pass/fail recommendations based on test resultsMaintain validation documentation — test protocols, results, failure reports, and corrective action recordsExecute Testing and Root Cause AnalysisExecute test plans hands-on — you run the tests, not just write the proceduresUse appropriate test equipment: environmental chambers, drop fixtures, IP ingress setups, audio analyzers, oscilloscopes, and standard lab instrumentsValidate electrical and firmware system behavior at the board and system level — bring-up, stress testing, edge case coverageLead root cause analysis on validation failures — 5-Why, fault tree, Ishikawa — and drive corrective actions to verified closureBuild and maintain custom test fixtures, jigs, and automated test setups where applicableSupplier & JDM Validation OversightPartner with JDMs and suppliers to align on validation plans, test coverage, and acceptance standards before builds beginReview, challenge, and approve supplier/JDM test plans and reports — ensure they reflect Turtlebox requirements, not just what's easy to passAudit supplier and JDM test execution — remotely and onsite — to verify accuracy, consistency, and integrity of resultsCorrelate internal and external test data; identify gaps and drive improvements when data doesn't alignTravel domestically and internationally (~10–20%) for supplier audits, build support, and issue resolutionSupport Regulatory and Compliance TestingSupport PS&C Manager in coordinating third-party lab testing for regulatory certifications — FCC, CE, UL, and applicable IEC standardsWork with the PS&C Manager to ensure product designs meet safety and compliance requirements before certification submissionSupport documentation and sample preparation for certification testingDrive Quality Into DevelopmentParticipate in design reviews and flag validation risk areas early — before they become expensive problems at EVTMaintain field failure data and feed findings back into validation protocols so the same failure modes don't repeatIdentify test method improvements that catch failures faster and earlier in developmentQualificationsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field4+ years of product validation, test engineering, or reliability engineering experience in consumer hardwareExperience developing and executing DVP&Rs and validation test plans from scratchHands-on with environmental and mechanical testing: IP ingress, drop, vibration, thermal cyclingSolid electrical and firmware validation experience — PCBA bring-up, system-level testing, lab equipment fluencyProven ability to lead root cause analysis: 5-Why, fault tree, IshikawaExperience working directly with suppliers, OEMs, or JDM partners — comfortable reviewing their data and holding them accountableDirect communicator — you say when something failed and why, and you push back when external data doesn't hold upOperates independently in a fast-moving, low-structure environment — figures things out without waiting for directionPreferred ExperienceExperience with ruggedized or outdoor consumer electronicsBackground in audio products, battery-powered systems, or wireless devicesFamiliarity with IEC 60529 (IP ratings), IEC 62133 (battery), or other applicable consumer electronics standardsExperience with reliability testing methodologies — HALT/HASSBackground in audio performance testing: frequency response, THD, SPLFamiliarity with statistical analysis tools — JMP, Minitab, or equivalentExperience with embedded systems and firmware debugging toolsWork Environment And Physical RequirementsThis position involves working in a traditional work environment, 5 days a weekOccasional lifting and carrying of up to 30lbsAble and willing to travel ~10–20%, including internationally, for supplier audits and build supportWhy Join Turtlebox?:Be part of a fast-growing premium outdoor audio brand with strong momentum in wholesale and D2C.Coworkers who are as passionate about music and adventure as you are.Thrive in an entrepreneurial culture with room for creativity, ownership, and innovation.Complimentary lunch every day.12 annual holidays plus Paid Time Off.Comprehensive health benefits & 401k matching.Awesome discounts to complete your Turtlebox collection!