Senior Test Engineer (electro-mechanical)

Important Information for Candidates

What We're Looking For

Before applying, please review the key requirements for success in this role:

This is a 6 months contract position with strong possibility to convert to full time
100% on site in Orange, CA
hourly rate is up to $60/hour on W2 (no C2C/1099/sponsorship)

✅ Electro-mechanical product testing experience is required. Candidates must have hands-on experience testing products that integrate mechanical and electrical systems.

✅ HVAC/R experience is preferred but not required. We welcome candidates from industries such as:

• Consumer products
• Industrial equipment
• Test and measurement devices
• Appliances
• Power tools
• Medical devices
• Automotive components
• Battery-powered products
• Electronics hardware
• Other electro-mechanical product environments

✅ Strong data acquisition, analysis, and reporting experience is essential.

✅ Excellent communication skills are critical. This role works closely with Product Management, Engineering, Project Management, Quality, Manufacturing, and external partners.

✅ Demonstrated career stability is preferred. While this is a contract opportunity, candidates should show a consistent employment history without frequent job changes, significant employment gaps, or extended periods outside the workforce.

What You'll Be Asked to Accomplish in the First 6-12 Months

• Learn our product portfolio and development process.
• Help reduce a backlog of testing activities across multiple product development programs.
• Improve testing efficiency through better test methods, automation, and data acquisition practices.
• Provide actionable engineering insights that support product performance, reliability, and launch readiness.

Position Summary

The Senior Test Engineer is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive verification and validation activities that support new product development efforts. This individual will convert product requirements into effective test strategies, establish laboratory capabilities, perform hands-on testing, analyze results, and provide recommendations that improve product quality, reliability, and performance.

This role partners closely with Product Management, Project Management, and cross-functional engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle. Success in this position requires strong technical judgment, hands-on laboratory experience, and the ability to communicate findings clearly to diverse stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Test Strategy & Planning

• Develop verification and validation strategies based on product requirements, technical specifications, risks, and project objectives.
• Create test plans, procedures, work instructions, acceptance criteria, and reporting methods.
• Identify requirement gaps, testability concerns, and unclear acceptance criteria, recommending appropriate solutions.
• Maintain requirements traceability and verification documentation throughout development.

Test Development & Laboratory Systems

• Design, build, and maintain test fixtures, instrumentation, laboratory equipment, and specialized test setups.
• Develop automated test solutions for repetitive, long-duration, and data-intensive testing activities.
• Establish data acquisition methodologies, including sensor selection, calibration, logging, storage, and reporting.
• Support development and implementation of Dewesoft-based data acquisition systems and related laboratory capabilities.

Test Execution & Troubleshooting

• Perform hands-on functional, performance, reliability, environmental, exploratory, laboratory, prototype, and field testing.
• Execute proof-of-concept, feasibility, prototype, pilot-build, and production-readiness testing activities.
• Troubleshoot product failures, instrumentation issues, laboratory equipment, and unexpected test results.
• Conduct root cause investigations and recommend corrective actions.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze test data to assess functionality, reliability, performance, durability, and overall product maturity.
• Prepare technical reports summarizing findings, risks, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Identify opportunities for design improvements, additional testing, and risk mitigation.
• Provide regular project updates regarding test readiness, execution, findings, and potential risks.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key testing resource for Product Management, Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing, and Quality teams.
• Coordinate testing activities with internal stakeholders, external laboratories, suppliers, and development partners.
• Provide technical guidance and work direction to technicians and engineering support personnel when necessary.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within testing, engineering, and product development processes.

Types of Testing Performed

Depending on project phase and business priorities, testing activities may include:

• Competitive benchmarking and comparative product evaluations
• Exploratory and concept testing
• Proof-of-concept and feasibility testing
• Functional and performance validation
• Reliability and durability testing
• Long-duration laboratory testing
• Prototype and rapid-development testing
• Field validation testing
• Pilot production testing
• Verification and validation (V&V) activities
• Failure analysis and root cause investigations
• Product performance and variation analysis

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in product testing, verification & validation (V&V), reliability engineering, or new product development.
• Demonstrated experience testing electro-mechanical products.
• Experience translating technical requirements into effective test plans and validation strategies.
• Strong hands-on experience building test fixtures, laboratory equipment, and automated test systems.
• Proficiency with instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and engineering data analysis.
• Experience troubleshooting products, test equipment, and laboratory systems.
• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across concurrent development projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• HVAC/R or refrigeration product experience
• Test and measurement instrumentation experience
• Reliability and environmental testing experience
• Field validation and customer-use testing experience
• Experience within structured New Product Development (NPD) environments
• Dewesoft, LabVIEW, or similar data acquisition software
• Experience with automated test systems
• CAD experience (SolidWorks or similar)
• Microsoft Office Suite

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.