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What does a staff test engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read

A staff test engineer is responsible for setting guidelines for a test plan. They also monitor technicians and other expert engineers. They frequently collaborate with other engineering staff to develop comprehensive testability requirements. They review and suggests testability modules.

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Staff test engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real staff test engineer resumes:

  • Construct and manage a complete VMware environment for testing multiple Openstack instances of different configurations.
  • Conduct subsystem / system level payload digital / rf testing of major communications satellite programs.
  • Log bugs find during test execution and determine root cause using Microsoft Windbg debugging tool.
  • Execute debugging and verify analog, digital test circuits using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzer, and logic analyzer.
  • Lead planning, design, implementation, and execution of RF performance/parametric, stability, and functional validation & verification activities.
  • Develop automated temperature-cycle calibrations for analog and digital transducers.
  • Develop & implement compatibility protocols to assess hardware device reliability & functionality base on PC's operating condition.

Staff test engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Staff Test Engineers are proficient in C++, Data Analysis, and Test Results. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Initiative, and Speaking skills.

We break down the percentage of Staff Test Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • C++, 9%

    Developed an automation test program using Unix script, Perl and C++ to link to Remedy database server.

  • Data Analysis, 8%

    Position includes test planning, test creation, characterization, data analysis, and silicon debug of complex Digital/Analog/Wireless SOC devices.

  • Test Results, 5%

    Analyzed test data and documented test results in written comprehensive test reports for qualifying devices for military and space programs.

  • RF, 5%

    Detailed understanding in the design and application of Radio Frequency (RF) communication and navigation systems.

  • Test Equipment, 5%

    Reviewed and recommended China based test equipment providers.

  • Test Cases, 5%

    Participate in Hot Wash kick-off and daily meetings, ensure test cases have been successfully executed and ready for Government AcceptanceTests.

"c++," "data analysis," and "test results" are among the most common skills that staff test engineers use at work. You can find even more staff test engineer responsibilities below, including:

Concentration. One of the key soft skills for a staff test engineer to have is concentration. You can see how this relates to what staff test engineers do because "electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products." Additionally, a staff test engineer resume shows how staff test engineers use concentration: "developed and implemented test cases with concentration in ss7 and xoip platforms. "

Initiative. Another essential skill to perform staff test engineer duties is initiative. Staff test engineers responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." Staff test engineers also use initiative in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided strategic guidance on technology and se&i; cm initiatives to u.s. dod joint program development office (jpdo). "

Speaking skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of staff test engineers is speaking skills. This skill is critical to many everyday staff test engineer duties, as "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "addressed the majority of situations as users might experience; created revolutionary, flexible and powerful ui validation tests. "

Writing skills. For certain staff test engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "writing skills." The day-to-day duties of a staff test engineer rely on this skill, as "electrical and electronics engineers develop technical publications related to equipment they develop, including maintenance manuals, operation manuals, parts lists, product proposals, and design methods documents." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what staff test engineers do: "assisted in selection of test hardware and writing test instructions for system setup, product test, and test failure debug. "

Math skills. Another common skill required for staff test engineer responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of staff test engineers all the time, as "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." An excerpt from a real staff test engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a staff test engineer does: "created excel macro to display validation statistics skills used excel, debugging, validation, python, java"

See the full list of staff test engineer skills

The three companies that hire the most staff test engineers are:

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Compare different staff test engineers

Staff test engineer vs. Quality assurance

The primary role of quality assurance specialists is to inspect the quality system's implementation and perform quality assurance audits. They are responsible for monitoring and recording results from procedures and processes within manufacturing industries. They are also responsible for some other tasks, including keeping up-to-date manufacturing and auditing documentation, training less experienced QA team members, and creating standard operating procedures. To be a quality assurance specialist, you must have a high school diploma, organizational skills, and strong attention to detail.

If we compare the average staff test engineer annual salary with that of a quality assurance, we find that quality assurances typically earn a $64,622 lower salary than staff test engineers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both staff test engineer and quality assurance positions are skilled in test results, rf, and test cases.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, staff test engineer responsibilities require skills like "c++," "data analysis," "test equipment," and "test solutions." Meanwhile a typical quality assurance has skills in areas such as "food handling," "java," "selenium," and "data entry." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Quality assurances tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $68,731. In contrast, staff test engineers make the biggest average salary, $136,671, in the automotive industry.quality assurances tend to reach lower levels of education than staff test engineers. In fact, quality assurances are 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Staff test engineer vs. Quality assurance specialist

A quality assurance specialist is an individual who is responsible for monitoring, inspecting, and proposing measures to correct and improve a company's product. Quality assurance specialists need to outline quality assurance policies and procedures, making sure that quality standards are assured. It is important that a quality assurance specialist should have strong attention to detail and is excellent in data collection. This work may require a minimum of bachelor's degree and certification to get certified.

On average, quality assurance specialists earn a $52,492 lower salary than staff test engineers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Staff test engineers and quality assurance specialists both require similar skills like "data analysis," "test results," and "test cases" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, staff test engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "c++," "rf," "test equipment," and "linux." Meanwhile, a quality assurance specialist has duties that require skills in areas such as "gmp," "patients," "fda," and "capa." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Quality assurance specialists may earn a lower salary than staff test engineers, but quality assurance specialists earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $76,157. On the other hand, staff test engineers receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $136,671.quality assurance specialists earn similar levels of education than staff test engineers in general. They're 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Staff test engineer vs. Quality assurance lead

A quality assurance lead, also known as QA Lead, is responsible for conducting necessary quality tests and analyses for software program and development. As a quality assurance lead, they must take the lead in ensuring quality during development by proactively performing critical evaluations, troubleshooting, and providing precise documentation. It is also essential to identify issues and resolve them as soon as possible. Furthermore, a quality assurance lead must maintain an active line of communication and coordination as most of the work will be in a team setting.

On average scale, quality assurance leads bring in lower salaries than staff test engineers. In fact, they earn a $21,177 lower salary per year.By looking over several staff test engineers and quality assurance leads resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "test results," "test cases," and "linux." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from staff test engineer resumes include skills like "c++," "data analysis," "rf," and "test equipment," whereas a quality assurance lead is more likely to list skills in "test plan," "java," "status reports," and "selenium webdriver. "

Quality assurance leads earn the best pay in the retail industry, where they command an average salary of $105,673. Staff test engineers earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $136,671.quality assurance leads typically earn similar educational levels compared to staff test engineers. Specifically, they're 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Staff test engineer vs. Quality assurance analyst

Quality Administrators are responsible for managing the quality processes of an organization. Their duties include creating data collection processes, conducting data cleansing, tracks quality milestones, and develop training programs for internal teams. They undertake daily audits, work with the quality coordinator to determine root cause, and assist with feedback and complaints. Quality administrators also write daily reports for purchase orders that are overdue, open service jobs, quotations needing to follow up, unconfirmed hires, and processed sales orders.

Quality assurance analysts tend to earn a lower pay than staff test engineers by an average of $42,403 per year.According to resumes from staff test engineers and quality assurance analysts, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "test results," "linux," and "regression. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between staff test engineers and quality assurance analysts, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a staff test engineer might have more use for skills like "c++," "data analysis," "rf," and "test equipment." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of quality assurance analysts require skills like "manual test cases," "java," "selenium webdriver," and "status reports. "

The retail industry tends to pay the highest salaries for quality assurance analysts, with average annual pay of $82,227. Comparatively, the highest staff test engineer annual salary comes from the automotive industry.quality assurance analysts reach similar levels of education compared to staff test engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 0.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of staff test engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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