R&D Validation Engineer - Interiors (H/F)

Req ID:470248 

We create smart innovations to meet the mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. We design and manufacture a complete range of transportation systems, from high-speed trains to electric buses and driverless trains, as well as infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility solutions. Joining us means joining a truly global community of more than 70000 people dedicated to solving real-world mobility challenges and achieving international projects with sustainable local impact.   

R&D Engineer Interiors (M/F) – Decorative Solutions

Location: Valenciennes / Petite Forêt, France

You will join our Interiors Component Development Site and Product Family of Valenciennes, a key actor in the design and development or interior train parts  for Rolling Stock, with more than 180 people from more than 20 different nationalities (engineers, designers, buyers, industrial, quality, project managers, & Experts), working both for French & international projects. 

What are my responsibilities?

Purpose of the Job/Objective

You will join our R&D team responsible for developing innovative interiors parts of all Alstom future trains. In particular, you will bring your expertise, rigor and methodology to ensure that the quality and reliability targets for the newly developed products are met without necessitating re-designs, anticipating for up to 30yrs lifetime in a challenging environment susceptible to wide temperature and UV loads range, fire risks, and vandalism acts. In addition, you will personnaly lead the qualification and/or (co-)development of novel decorative materials and/or surface treatment solutions for Interiors parts of railway vehicles

Organisation Reporting

• Reports to: R&D Director - Interiors

• Manages: suppliers, subcontractors

Network & Links

• Internal Interfaces: R&D Program Manager, Designers (A&CD), Validation Engineers, Passenger Experience team, Eco-design engineers, Product engineers, Engineering teams, Sourcing & Costing Team, Legal team, Tender team, Central Innovation team

• External Interfaces: Suppliers, Customers, Independent laboratories

Performance Measurement

• KPI R&D Projects (OTIF, Design Review on time, budget adherence)

• KPI Innovation generation & exploitation (number inventions, use on commercial projects)

Responsibilities

• Develops and applies validation plans and test methods, according to relevant standards and load cases, in a cross domain environment (materials, mechanics, surface treatment, materials, lighting, electronics, automation, anti-microbial, etc.). 

• Executes and manages research and product development projects (internal + at suppliers) related to materials & surface treatment solutions providing a decorative, haptic, comfort, eco-perception and/or acoustic function to rolling stock interiors parts (e.g. garnishing, handrails, handles & arm rests, seats, etc.).

• Analyzes the market and competition (industrial watch, technological watch) in relation to decorative materials & surface treatment solutions

• Analyses standards in railway or surrounding industries, and contributes to the development of validation protocols for new materials & surface treatments, 

• Suggests innovative solutions in line with Alstom’s development strategy, and taking into account customer’s needs and requirements.

• Ensures applicability of the developed products onto commercial projects through close collaboration with the Marketing, Tender & Project teams (Engineering, Costing, Sourcing, Quality, etc.)

• Contributes to internal budget collection for R&D activities and manages reporting to internal customers

• Develops the network of internal and external R&D partners for innovation in relation to new materials & decorative solutions (Tier1/2/3), as well as validation laboratories

What do I need to qualify for this job?

Minimum qualifications:

• Engineer/PhD background in chemistry, material sciences, physics, mechanics
• At least 3yrs experience in similar position, with proven validation track record of products similar to trains interiors parts (e.g. linings, luminaires, furnitures, mechanical assemblies, …) and/or their sub-components (materials, coatings, electronics, …), in an industrial environment
• At ease with norms & standards -or willingness to learn quickly- applicable for product and/or material qualification, as well as eco-design regulation (e.g. REACH, etc.)
• Experience in railway, aeronautics, nautism or automotive is a plus

Skills :

• Autonomous, results driven and team-oriented personality with strong relationship skills

• Ability to prioritize and to work effectively under pressure to meet the deadlines

• Strong passion for innovation and questioning the status quo, and perceiving (upcoming) market needs

• Fast prototyper, likes to experiment in order to quickly show/test new concepts & solutions

• Strong written and spoken communication skills

• Ability to work in an international environment; Speak and write in English; French is a bonus.

Mobility:

• Travels: suppliers and R&D partners visits. <15% of the time

An agile, inclusive and responsible culture is the foundation of our company where diverse people are offered excellent opportunities to grow, learn and advance in their careers.  We are committed to encouraging our employees to reach their full potential, while valuing and respecting them as individuals.