Automotive Safety Engineer

Overview:

Consumers Union is an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. Our National Testing and Research Center, in Yonkers, N.Y., is the largest nonprofit educational and consumer product testing center in the world. We are a comprehensive source for unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health and nutrition, and other consumer concerns. We report on current issues of concern to consumers. Our staff of researchers, editors, and consumer advocates brings you in-depth information on matters that affect your health, your money, and your well-being.

Our advocacy offices and Consumer Policy Institute address the crucial task of influencing policy that affects consumers, which is so integral to Consumers Union's mission. The advocacy offices operate in Washington, D.C., Austin, Texas, and San Francisco, CA and in Yonkers, NY. Our specialized auto test center in Colchester, CT is the largest, most sophisticated consumer based facility of it’s kind in the world.

Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in Engineering with a minimum of five years experience in child safety or automotive safety experience preferably in automotive crash testing.

Certification or pending certification as a Child Passenger Safety Technician preferred.

Ability to perform vehicle and child seat performance tests including vehicle track testing, laboratory sled testing and other vehicle evaluations.

Must have experience with failure analysis and evaluation of occupant kinematics.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook and databases.

Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal and detail oriented.


Physical Demands:

Ability to perform track tests and on-road driving, install child seats, lift 50 lbs. and travel.


Responsibilities:

Conduct and analyze vehicle and child seat crash tests as directed by the Vehicle and Child Program Manager.

Analyze proposed vehicle safety regulations and report on findings.

Conduct research on vehicle and child safety issues for future testing and reporting.

Investigate and report on vehicle safety issues including: ESC systems, Backup systems, headlights, roof crush, etc.

Write technical reports of the various aspects of vehicle and child safety evaluations and tests.

Review editorial copy for accuracy, tone and content.

Be a spokesperson for CR automotive content with the media, industry and manufacturers.

Video presenter for CRTV syndicated feeds and online vehicle feeds.

Keep abreast of future developments in the automotive industry and especially automotive and child safety issues.

Monitor proposed rule-making activities at the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Federal Register / Docket Management system in order to compile and submit comments.

Work as liaison between ATC and the CU Advocacy offices, NHTSA, IIHS and other safety organizations.

Performs other duties as assigned.