How to hire a manufacturing test engineer

How to hire a manufacturing test engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step manufacturing 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 manufacturing test engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new manufacturing test engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a manufacturing test engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the manufacturing test engineer you need to hire. Certain manufacturing test engineer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a manufacturing test engineer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a manufacturing test engineer that fits the bill.

   This list presents manufacturing test engineer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Manufacturing Test Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Manufacturing Test Engineer	Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.	$34-64
   Research And Development Engineer	Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies... Show more	$35-64
   Engineer	Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more	$31-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Test Equipment
   • LabVIEW
   • Troubleshoot
   • C++
   • Test Fixtures
   • Test Software
   • Test Systems
   • Product Design
   • Test Procedures
   • Continuous Improvement
   • RF
   • Technical Support
   • Sigma
   • Product Quality

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Collaborate with internal company users to manage software and database improvements.
   • Used Altera development tools for several FPGA designs (( VHDL).
   • Lead the implementation of the new or transferring test production equipment and procedures for NPI.
   • Multi-Task to support procurement of test fixture/equipment/instrument and a debug test program for the HP3070/GR228X ICT tester.
   • Support the NPI process by incorporating new products in the current code base without disruption to the legacy products.
   • Work with RF power systems, vacuum and leak-detection systems, microwave systems, gas delivery systems, and robots.

   More manufacturing test engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the manufacturing test engineer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A manufacturing test engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a manufacturing test engineer in Tennessee may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level manufacturing test engineer. Additionally, a manufacturing test engineer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average manufacturing test engineer salary

   $98,285yearly

   $47.25 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level manufacturing test engineer salary

   $71,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average manufacturing test engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$132,171	$64
   2	Washington	$131,900	$63
   3	Massachusetts	$124,035	$60
   4	Oregon	$107,970	$52
   5	Nevada	$105,264	$51
   6	New York	$97,108	$47
   7	Colorado	$96,359	$46
   8	Texas	$94,892	$46
   9	Minnesota	$90,453	$43
   10	South Carolina	$90,065	$43
   11	Georgia	$86,470	$42
   12	Florida	$82,865	$40
   13	Kentucky	$81,685	$39
   14	Wisconsin	$79,592	$38

   Average manufacturing test engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$149,554	$71.90	251
   2	Google	$142,810	$68.66	26
   3	Apple	$140,418	$67.51	142
   4	Zoox	$135,915	$65.34	25
   5	Amazon	$129,842	$62.42	208
   6	Cohesity	$129,496	$62.26
   7	Microsoft	$129,146	$62.09	16
   8	Square	$127,544	$61.32
   9	Arista Networks	$124,803	$60.00	3
   10	Joby Aviation	$123,821	$59.53	65
   11	Riverbed Holdings, Inc.	$123,663	$59.45
   12	Juniper Networks	$121,339	$58.34
   13	Fitbit	$119,116	$57.27
   14	Texas Instruments	$117,096	$56.30	35
   15	Quanergy	$109,016	$52.41
   16	Masimo	$104,876	$50.42	5
   17	Applied Materials	$104,210	$50.10	80
   18	Enphase Energy	$103,699	$49.86
   19	Infinera	$102,250	$49.16
   20	Mettler-Toledo International	$99,980	$48.07	1

4. Writing a manufacturing test engineer job description

   A good manufacturing 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 manufacturing test engineer job description:

   Manufacturing test engineer job description example

   The Manufacturing Test Engineer develops and/or specifies necessary test equipment, software, and procedures for high volume production and testing of industrial and consumer goods. This role develops and maintains test software, technical specifications, and documentation for such equipment per established methods and also develops documentation and procedures as necessary for employee training and ISO compliance. This individual will work closely with other Engineering and Manufacturing personnel and provide assistance as needed for implementing test systems into production. The manufacturing test engineer will also assist with operations, maintenance, validation, troubleshooting, and repair of test equipment and software.
   Requirements: Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering
   
   Experience: Minimum 2 years of related engineering experience in the development of Test Systems using LabView, In-Circuit Testing (ICT), and Design For Test (DFT) Methods. Previous experience working in an environment in which 60 - 80% of the role's daily activities were related to LabView development, PCBA functional Fixture designs, and electronic circuits analysis.
   
   Skills: Specific skills related to the development of Test Systems using LabView for PCBA assemblies and strong understanding of electronic circuits.
   
   Location: Tallassee, Alabama
   
   Qualifications
   
   Education
   
   Required
   
   + Bachelors or better
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
   
   The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find manufacturing 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 manufacturing test engineers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level manufacturing 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 manufacturing test engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit manufacturing test engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit manufacturing 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 manufacturing test engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect manufacturing test engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new manufacturing test engineer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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 manufacturing test engineer?