How To Become An Electronics Test Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is an electronics test engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Fred Garber Ph.D.

Electronics test engineers make sure that electrical products meet quality standards before they go out to consumers by conducting regular tests. They are responsible for all aspects of the quality testing process, from designing tests to implementing them to writing reports highlighting possible improvements. Electronics test engineers need to have experience working with a variety of electrical equipment, such as circuit boards, radar systems, and more. They are able to write test scripts and design tests that align with company and governmental regulations. Electronics test engineers also need to be flexible in their work environment--sometimes, they need to conduct tests in the field for particularly large electrical systems.

Electronics test engineers need to be highly knowledgeable about electrical engineering. That is why almost all of them have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, and many go on to earn a master's.

Electronics test engineers earn an average salary of $76,666 a year. However, they need to put in many years of hard work as electrical technicians or engineers before collecting this generous paycheck.

What general advice would you give to an electronics test engineer?

Fred Garber Ph.D.

Professor, Electrical Engineering, Wright State University

I think the primary question, in the minds of those who are yet to graduate or are still searching, is in regard to the strength of the technical job market, especially the local job market. But you are in a position to definitively answer that question.

In you article, I would ask that you address the following:
Number of employers looking to fill and number of job offerings in the region (by engineering and computer science major) compared to last year and to the previous five years.

Any noticeable differences in job descriptions Zippia is receiving relative to work environment, benefits, starting salaries, etc.

Many of our soon-to-graduate students would be very interested in these quantitative and qualitative comparisons. Additionally, vast numbers of potential students would benefit from such information to guide their career choices.

ScoreElectronics Test EngineerUS Average

Salary

6.3

Avg. Salary $80,610

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.7

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.18%

Asian 14.36%

Black or African American 4.88%

Hispanic or Latino 11.37%

Unknown 4.72%

White 64.48%

Gender

female 5.68%

male 94.32%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.2

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an electronics test engineer

Explore electronics test engineer education requirements

Most common electronics test engineer degrees

Bachelor's

69.2 %

Associate

17.6 %

Master's

7.7 %

Start to develop specific electronics test engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
RF	11.83%
LabVIEW	8.85%
C++	8.48%
Test Procedures	7.59%
Test Systems	5.49%

Complete relevant electronics test engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New electronics test engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an electronics test engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real electronics test engineer resumes.

Research electronics test engineer duties and responsibilities

Lead the automation of vacuum-tube amplifier manufacturing processes using LabVIEW.
Apply technical knowledge in electromagnetic theory and microwave technology to plan and manage projects concern with ground-base radar systems.
Perform testing and troubleshooting of hybrid, analog and digital print circuit boards (PCB's).
Travele to field locations to install and troubleshoot grind, airborne and shipboard high speed RF data communications terminals.

Prepare your electronics test engineer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your electronics test engineer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an electronics test engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable electronics test engineer resume templates

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