How to hire a structural test engineer

How to hire a structural test engineer, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The structural test engineer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   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 structural 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 shows salaries for various types of structural test engineers.

   Type of Structural Test Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Structural Test Engineer	Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.	$27-62
   Engineering Scientist	An engineering scientist is responsible for designing new technological systems through the evaluation of scientific methods and innovative solutions. Engineering scientists analyze technical parts and components, researching the current engineering trends to meet public demands and interests... Show more	$31-59
   Stress Analyst	A stress analyst is a type of aerospace engineer; they design, construct, and test aircraft. They may also work on missiles or spacecraft... Show more	$30-54

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CAD
   • Aerospace
   • Test Data
   • CATIA
   • Data Acquisition Systems
   • Test Procedures
   • Test Results
   • Data Analysis
   • LabVIEW
   • Test Equipment
   • NASA
   • FEA
   • Test Reports
   • Structural Analysis

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
   • Collaborate with frequency managers, FCC, FAA, and local spectrum authorities to plan frequency assignments.
   • Import the model to perform simulation in ANSYS to procure the optimum design of a typical high mach air-frame structure.
   • Formulate conceptual design of aeronautical, aerospace products or systems to meet customer requirements and communicate feed back to design engineers.
   • Utilize rapid prototyping as proof of concepts for multiple new designs.
   • Create PERL scripts to generate flying probe test programs from FabMaster outputs, saving licensing fees for commercial test development products.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, structural test engineers' average salary in indiana is 48% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level structural test engineers 55% less than senior-level structural test engineers.
   • Certifications. A structural 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 structural test engineer's salary.

   Average structural test engineer salary

   $86,757yearly

   $41.71 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level structural test engineer salary

   $58,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a structural test engineer job description

   A job description for a structural test engineer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a structural test engineer job description:

   Structural test engineer job description example

   ABL Space Systems was founded in 2017 by veterans of SpaceX and Morgan Stanley to develop low-cost launch vehicles for the small satellite industry. More importantly, we're building a launch system we are truly proud of - no gimmicks or over-design, just reliable, rapidly deployable launches. We're an ambitious team with big goals and, together, we're determined to prove that reaching space can be simple, efficient, and routine.
   When launch day arrives, we want you by our side
   
   Structures Test Engineer
   As a structures Test Engineer, you will lead development, qualification, and acceptance testing on primary and secondary structures of the RS1 launch vehicle and future development projects. This role will include designing, building, and operating large-scale structural test stands at ABL, in a small team environment, working closely with mechanical and electrical engineers to develop scalable testing solutions that enable development and ATP testing of critical structures hardware. This role is for a hands-on person with great attention to detail and excellent people skills.
   
   This is a role that contributes to every mission and every flight we fly as we continue to reimagine the future of space launches.
   RESPONSIBILITIES:Work with component responsible engineers to gather test requirements, to ensure testing will validate design requirements. Lead planning, documentation, and execution of test campaigns. Design test stands and fixtures including their mechanical, fluid, and electrical components. Perform all necessary design, analysis, and project management to execute tests with minimal support Setup and operate data acquisition equipment to measure and record test parameters (strain gages, pressure transducers, accelerometers etc.) Produce professional and traceable test plans, procedures, and reports - including mechanical and fluid schematics of the test systems Interface with technicians to coordinate mechanical test logistics, support, and requirements Mentor other engineers and technicians on the team
   BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Robotics Engineering, or similar field.Minimum 5 years of experience working in space, aerospace, or equivalent professional environments with direct hands-on experience performing test on mechanical systems Experience planning and executing test engineering operations in a time-sensitive and high-risk environment. Including recovery from off-nominal conditions Experience in structural design, analysis, build and integration of test stands Experience designing and operating closed-loop control hydraulic and pneumatic systems Experience working across engineering groups to define requirements and implement solutions Experience with instrumentation systems Experience with NX or other CAD system
   PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:M.S. from an accredited university in engineering or science Experience working with high-pressure gas systems Ability to size fluid components based on flow, pressure, and thermal requirements Experience working with cryogenic systems Experience with Teamcenter or other PLM system Knowledge and understanding of mechanical vibration test
   WHAT WE LOOK FORCritical thinking: ABL engineers understand the “why” behind all design decisions, operational events and test outcomes Ability to deal with ambiguity: ABL engineers must be comfortable defining their own pathway to an objective End-to-end ownership
   PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENTS:Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time Ability to use a computer to complete assignments Ability to communicate with individuals and groups in person, by phone and telepresence While performing the duties of this job, the employee will typically work in an office environment Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and able to maneuver in tight spaces Physically able to handle items weighing up to 25lbs (unassisted)
   ITAR Requirement
   This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, permanent residents, asylees, and refugees) is a required qualification for this position.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer
   We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, genetics, or citizenship status (when otherwise legally authorized to work and access export-controlled data) and will not be discriminated against on the basis of such characteristics or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage applicants of all ages.

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5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit structural 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 structural test engineer

   Once you've found the structural test engineer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new structural 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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