How to hire a hardware test engineer

How to hire a hardware test engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step hardware test engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a hardware test engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new hardware test engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a hardware test engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your hardware test engineer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a hardware test engineer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect hardware test engineer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents hardware test engineer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Hardware Test Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Hardware Test Engineer	Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks, and routers. These engineers discover new directions in computer hardware, which generate rapid advances in computer technology.	$39-68
   Design Verification Engineer	A design verification engineer is responsible for running diagnostic tests on project outputs and adjusting methodologies as needed to achieve high-quality deliverables according to clients' specifications and business requirements. Design verification engineers create efficient techniques to improve products and services by utilizing various system tools and applications... Show more	$42-74
   Verification Engineer	A verification engineer is responsible for running quality tests to the production processes to ensure high-quality outputs according to business requirements and client specifications. Verification engineers develop testing methodologies, inspect tools and equipment, and creating instructional manuals... Show more	$36-68

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Python
   • Test Equipment
   • C++
   • Troubleshoot
   • RF
   • Data Analysis
   • Test Results
   • Test Procedures
   • Analog
   • Test Reports
   • Test Automation
   • Linux
   • LabVIEW
   • PCB

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Enter and manage BOM in database for same cards.
   • Generate synthesis reports and automate simulation using Perl scripts.
   • Create python base programs to test release firmware and data recovery tools for data analysis.
   • Support hardware and firmware engineers with cable and test jig assembly and PCB repairs.
   • Develop test cases using selenium to integrate hardware and web services so automation are possible.
   • Conform to ISO manufacturing standards and work instructions.

   More hardware test engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your hardware test engineer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A hardware test engineer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, hardware test engineers' average salary in tennessee is 52% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level hardware test engineers 42% less than senior-level hardware test engineers.
   • Certifications. A hardware test engineer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a hardware test engineer's salary.

   Average hardware test engineer salary

   $108,602yearly

   $52.21 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level hardware test engineer salary

   $82,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average hardware test engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$138,311	$67
   2	California	$136,657	$66
   3	Connecticut	$110,138	$53
   4	Oregon	$106,136	$51
   5	New Mexico	$105,573	$51
   6	Massachusetts	$104,123	$50
   7	Virginia	$103,550	$50
   8	Pennsylvania	$100,166	$48
   9	Arizona	$97,267	$47
   10	Utah	$93,796	$45
   11	Texas	$93,518	$45
   12	Illinois	$91,379	$44
   13	Colorado	$91,281	$44
   14	Wisconsin	$87,745	$42
   15	Iowa	$86,634	$42
   16	Ohio	$80,967	$39
   17	Michigan	$78,904	$38

   Average hardware test engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$154,946	$74.49	216
   2	Google	$139,421	$67.03	67
   3	Apple	$138,903	$66.78	412
   4	Lyft	$137,516	$66.11	3
   5	Waymo	$131,954	$63.44	34
   6	Microsoft	$128,328	$61.70	123
   7	Intuitive Surgical	$126,961	$61.04	14
   8	NVIDIA	$125,890	$60.52	149
   9	Cruise Automation	$125,731	$60.45
   10	Zoox	$124,877	$60.04	36
   11	Über	$120,668	$58.01	16
   12	CyberCoders	$120,337	$57.85	3
   13	Varian Medical Systems	$119,226	$57.32
   14	Amazon	$118,650	$57.04	464
   15	Parsons	$118,264	$56.86	62
   16	Randstad North America, Inc.	$115,796	$55.67	6
   17	Samsung Electronics Device Solutions (Semiconductor & Display)	$115,513	$55.54	36
   18	TransCore	$115,101	$55.34	1
   19	Tesla	$114,880	$55.23	13
   20	Motion Recruitment	$114,596	$55.09	14

4. Writing a hardware test engineer job description

   A good hardware test engineer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a hardware test engineer job description:

   Hardware test engineer job description example

   The primary responsibility of the Hardware Test Engineer is to review and test the construction and quality of code for live casino games. This position will be responsible for making key recommendations that enhance the overall quality and security of server code.
   
   All duties are to be performed in accordance with departmental and Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s policies, practices, and procedures. All Las Vegas Sands Corp. Team Members are expected to conduct and carry themselves in a professional manner at all times. Team Members are required to observe the Company's standards, work requirements and rules of conduct.
   Essential Duties & Responsibilities
   Review and test server code to ensure the code complies with best practices. Ensure server code is of high quality and is best-in-class. Make recommendations on how to improve the quality and security of server code. Attempt to break server code in unique and creative ways. Work closely with developers to improve server code. Perform job duties in a safe manner. Attend work as scheduled on a consistent and regular basis. Perform other related duties as assigned.
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   At least 21 years of age. Proof of authorization to work in the United States. High school diploma or equivalent or equivalent work experience Must be able to obtain and maintain any certification or license, as required by law or policy. 3+ years experience building and maintaining automated test code. Experience with test driven development. Experience writing code tests in Scala using Gatling. Experience writing in Golang with MySQL database preferred. Experience writing code tests in Golang using unit test runner preferred Knowledge of load testing and gPRC preferred. Strong network communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both in spoken and written form.
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   Must be able to:
   Physically access assigned workspace areas with or without reasonable accommodation. Work remotely as necessary Work indoors and be exposed to various environmental factors such as, but not limited to, CRT, noise, and dust. Utilize laptop and standard keyboard to perform essential functions of the job.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find hardware test engineers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any hardware test engineers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level hardware test engineers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your hardware test engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit hardware test engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit hardware test engineers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new hardware test engineer

   Once you've selected the best hardware test engineer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new hardware test engineer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a hardware test engineer?