Test Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Test Technician

Job Description

This Test Technician role supports engineering laboratory services by setting up, operating, and tearing down large commercial water-cooled and air-cooled chiller systems and related equipment. Working primarily on 1st shift under moderate supervision, you will connect and troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and refrigeration systems, run tests for research and development and certification, and ensure every unit is thoroughly tested before it leaves the facility. This position offers the opportunity to work with complex industrial HVAC systems in multiple test labs that integrate mechanical, electrical, and hardware/software smart technologies.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic to moderately complex set-up and tear-down activities for large water-cooled and air-cooled chiller systems in an engineering laboratory environment.
• Connect and troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and refrigeration systems on manufactured equipment, including large commercial HVAC units.
• Operate, inspect, and maintain test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions and ensure safe, reliable operation during testing.
• Run tests for research and development and for certification purposes, ensuring each unit is fully tested before it leaves the facility.
• Support engineering testing of chillers under moderate supervision, providing technical assistance on a variety of engineering tasks.
• Perform technical tasks that contribute to the planning and execution of engineering projects, including test execution and data collection.
• Collaborate with support staff and engineers to review test procedures, discuss test results, and understand the implications of findings.
• Set up and use laboratory instrumentation and equipment to measure pressure, temperature, and electrical parameters, ensuring accurate and reliable data.
• Assist with instrumentation setup, troubleshooting, and calibration to maintain data integrity and traceability.
• Apply lockout/tagout (LO/TO) practices and support controls troubleshooting in coordination with safety and engineering requirements.
• Work with mechanical assemblies using hand and pneumatic tools, including proper selection and installation of nuts, washers, bolts, and other fasteners.
• Interpret and work from complex drawings, schematics, and blueprints to correctly configure test setups and connections.
• Use computer applications, including email and spreadsheet software, to document test results, support test report writing, and maintain records.
• Handle and move equipment and components as needed, including lifting and positioning items up to the stated weight requirements.
• Follow all safety procedures in a laboratory environment that includes ladders, fall protection, heavy hoses, and high-voltage electrical testing.

Essential Skills

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 2+ years of experience with HVAC service and systems.
• 1+ years of experience with hand and pneumatic tools.
• Strong mechanical skills and a mechanically inclined.
• Strong electrical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to diagnose issues in complex systems.
• Experience working with HVAC systems or other large commercial equipment.
• Ability to move and lift weights up to approximately 35–50 lbs and to stand and bend for extended periods of time.
• Ability to read and interpret complex drawings, schematics, and blueprints.
• Basic computer skills, including email and spreadsheet applications such as Excel.
• Familiarity with electrical work, including 460-3-60 machinery and medium voltage industrial power supplies.
• Experience using hand and pneumatic tools in an industrial or mechanical environment.
• HVAC experience in a service, systems, or industrial setting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associates Degree strongly preferred.
• Trade, technical, or business school certificate, or completion of a skilled trades apprenticeship, strongly preferred.
• 3+ years of experience with hand and pneumatic tools is highly valued where applicable.
• Experience with HVAC or other large commercial equipment testing in a laboratory environment.
• Commercial HVAC industrial or operations experience.
• Experience with instrumentation setup, troubleshooting, and calibration for pressure, temperature, and electrical measurements.
• Experience using laboratory equipment for pressure, temperature, and electrical measurements, with a focus on accuracy and repeatability.
• Strong PC skills, including data entry, basic analysis, and test report support.
• Experience with variable frequency drives (VFDs), pumps, cooling towers, heavy electrical switchgear, and motor control centers.
• Familiarity with control valves and programmable logic controller (PLC) operation.
• Refrigerant certification (EPA) preferred.
• Experience or familiarity with forklift and overhead crane operation.
• Training or experience with lockout/tagout (LO/TO) procedures and controls troubleshooting.
• Arc flash training or familiarity with arc flash safety practices.
• Experience with measurement techniques, test report writing, systems troubleshooting, and maintaining data integrity and traceability.
• Familiarity with industrial tools and equipment used in large-scale mechanical and electrical systems.
• Ability to work effectively under moderate supervision and collaborate with engineers and higher-level support staff.

Work Environment

The role is based in a large engineering laboratory environment with five test labs dedicated to complex industrial systems, including mechanical, electrical, and smart hardware/software technologies. You will work primarily on 1st shift (approximately 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday), with the possibility of occasional 2nd shift coverage (approximately 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.) as needed. The facility focuses on large commercial chiller systems, including units sized to fit on the back of a tractor-trailer, and supports both research and development and manufacturing activities. The work area includes ladders, fall protection systems, large heavy hoses on the ground, and high-power electrical testing, requiring strict adherence to safety procedures. You will regularly handle mechanical and electrical components, work around medium voltage industrial power supplies, and use a variety of hand and pneumatic tools, test instruments, and computer systems in a dynamic, hands-on laboratory setting.

This is a Contract position based out of Charlotte, NC.

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $24.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Charlotte,NC.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 9, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.