How to hire a test design engineer

How to hire a test design engineer, step by step

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

What does a test design engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a test design engineer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A test design engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, test design engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of test design engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Test Design Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Test Design Engineer	Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.	$32-55
   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
   Principal Engineer	A principal engineer is responsible for monitoring the overall design phase of the construction process, including coordinating with the client for progress and updates, as well as performing adjustments as needed based on clients' specifications and requirements. Principal engineers also inspect the materials and resources used to ensure that the project stays within the budget goals and set timeframe... Show more	$45-85

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Test Equipment
   • RF
   • Python
   • Test Design
   • Analog
   • Design Verification
   • Test Procedures
   • Data Acquisition
   • PCB
   • C
   • C++
   • Product Development
   • CAD
   • Test Systems

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the development of the next generation products base on existing refrigerants and CO2 system including prototyping and initial manufacturing run.
   • Assist other hardware engineers in the initial design and debugging phase of new products this include RF and digital designs.
   • Design PCB layouts for communication backplanes.
   • Update database and write queries via SQL.
   • Perform debugging hardware and software as needed.
   • Design, construct, and execute scalability tests for UNIX and web-base applications.

   More test design engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the test design engineer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A test design 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 test design engineer in Mississippi may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level test design engineer. Additionally, a test design engineer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average test design engineer salary

   $88,403yearly

   $42.50 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level test design engineer salary

   $67,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average test design engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$119,876	$58
   2	Maryland	$107,344	$52
   3	Washington	$99,599	$48
   4	Connecticut	$99,500	$48
   5	Texas	$91,874	$44
   6	Arizona	$91,424	$44
   7	Georgia	$91,190	$44
   8	Illinois	$90,801	$44
   9	Massachusetts	$90,710	$44
   10	New York	$89,824	$43
   11	Colorado	$84,389	$41
   12	Virginia	$84,020	$40
   13	Michigan	$83,924	$40
   14	South Carolina	$82,703	$40
   15	Missouri	$78,960	$38
   16	Utah	$78,279	$38
   17	Kentucky	$77,167	$37
   18	Florida	$73,833	$36

   Average test design engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$137,815	$66.26	672
   2	Amazon	$121,250	$58.29	584
   3	Aetna	$113,812	$54.72
   4	Rambus	$113,454	$54.55	11
   5	Cisco	$111,375	$53.55	98
   6	Cirrus Logic	$108,685	$52.25	22
   7	Ampere	$108,546	$52.19
   8	Amd	$106,254	$51.08	125
   9	Cadence Design Systems	$105,783	$50.86	52
   10	Keysight Technologies	$103,968	$49.98
   11	Micron Technology	$102,386	$49.22	139
   12	Lucid Motors	$98,927	$47.56	63
   13	Tesla	$98,667	$47.44	1
   14	Randstad North America, Inc.	$98,664	$47.43	6
   15	Eurofins	$97,685	$46.96	40
   16	Activehealth Management	$97,016	$46.64
   17	Jacobs Enterprises	$96,408	$46.35	583
   18	Doosan Hydro Technology	$96,407	$46.35	5
   19	CNH Industrial	$96,403	$46.35	2
   20	Katalyst Surgical	$96,403	$46.35	2

4. Writing a test design engineer job description

   A good test design 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 test design engineer job description:

   Test design engineer job description example

   Performs design and test engineering activities in support developing, updating, reverse engineering, and documenting printed circuit boards. Supports new capability engineering work, including design, evaluation, planning, testing and operation of C4ISR electrical, electronic, mechanical, and/or computer components, equipment and systems. Performs various tests and analyzes and documents results. Identifies and documents functional requirements. Reviews, writes, and provides updates to technical documentation. Analyzes research & development plans. Maintains current knowledge of relevant technologies as assigned. Participates in special projects as required.

   • Familiarity with operating machinery/robots safely and efficiently

   • Ability to read and understand technical drawings, datasheets, and written work instructions

   • Oversee the installation, validation and development of new test equipment and processes

   • Ability to learn new tools and processes quickly

   • Hands on RF experience, networking experience, HiPot testing experience and spectrum analyzer experience

   • Test software programming

   • Flying Probe program generation and debugging

   • Implement and verify relevant software upgrades

   • Train, mentor, and support test and repair technicians

   • Troubleshoot tester hardware and software issues by working with customer support to resolve

   • Analyze and improve prototype, production yields and implement best practices for test and repair processes

   • Analyze failure data, summarize, and present analysis to stakeholders

   • Maintain backups of test programs and test data

   • Manage equipment by working with the facilities team and vendors to perform periodic calibrations and preventive maintenance.

   • Support testing process (time studies, data collection/analysis, special customer requests, etc.) for quotes, trials, and process improvements

   • Identify and recommend software solutions, cost reductions and quality improvements in repair operations

   • Work closely with the Quality team to complete any First Article Inspection Reports or relevant Corrective and Preventive Actions, and submission of Technical Data Package to Configuration Management.

   • Recommend appropriate hardware/software technology for optimizing the quality and efficiency.

   Required Skills & Experience

   6 yrs recent C4ISR or other relevant EE experience in designs, builds, installations, testing, documentation and recommending corrective actions.

   This position requires a Secret US DoD security clearance.

   Preferred Skills

   Quality Management System (QMS) experience that is compatible with ISO 9001:2018. Experience with ScanCAD, ORCAD and/or SOLIDWORKS.

   Remarks

   Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

   Skilled using Microsoft Office products.

   Must be able to interface effectively with all levels of technical and management personnel.

   EOE M/F/Disability/Veteran

   Company DescriptionFor more than 45 years, Centurum and its predecessor companies have proudly and successfully delivered solutions to a broad range of customers across the Department of Defense and Federal Government.
   
   Today, our core capabilities place us at the center of Federal Government efforts to build and deploy effective world-wide wired/wireless Network Centric C5ISR solutions, as well as providing intelligence analysis in the Global War on Terror. With offices in McLean, VA; Norfolk, VA; Charleston, SC; and San Diego, CA we are only minutes away from most Federal Government Departments and Agency Headquarters, the Department of Defense, and Department of the Navy Fleet concentration areas.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right test design engineer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with test design engineer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of 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 test design engineer

   Once you've found the test design 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new test design engineer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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