Test Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Manufacturing Test Engineer

Job Description

The Manufacturing Test Engineer develops and deploys manufacturing test equipment, software, and data systems that support the production of advanced energy storage technology. In this role, you collaborate closely with Product Development, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, MES, and Operations teams to create robust, scalable test solutions for new products, process changes, and factory expansion initiatives. You work comfortably across software development, instrumentation integration, hardware troubleshooting, and hands-on activities on the factory floor to enable new manufacturing capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain scalable manufacturing test software, including intuitive graphical user interfaces and operator workflows for cell, module, and pack-level production.
• Develop, deploy, and validate production test equipment, fixtures, PLCs, and instrumentation architectures to support new product introductions and evolving manufacturing needs.
• Integrate test software and hardware with MES, databases, factory automation platforms, and traceability systems to ensure seamless data flow and process control.
• Collaborate with Environmental Health and Safety teams to design safe test systems that utilize interlocks, barriers, and lockout/tagout procedures for high-voltage environments.
• Work closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations to define test requirements, support factory expansions, and co-own PFMEAs and control plans.
• Implement automated data collection, validation, and reporting mechanisms while maintaining strict revision control for software and deployment packages.
• Lead root-cause investigations and resolve complex hardware, software, and process failures during equipment commissioning and production ramp activities.
• Create comprehensive technical documentation, including test procedures, work instructions, and troubleshooting guides, and support training for operators and other stakeholders.
• Establish test architectures, software frameworks, processes, and standards that enable long-term growth, reliability, and operational scalability of manufacturing test systems.
• Support new factory launches, production ramp activities, and capacity expansion initiatives by ensuring test systems are ready, reliable, and scalable.
• Drive the development and scaling of manufacturing test systems from prototype, pilot, or low-volume environments into high-volume production.
• Provide technical leadership on projects and mentor junior engineers involved in test system development and deployment.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience developing automated test systems in manufacturing, product development, or industrial environments.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language such as LabVIEW, Python, C#, C++, Go, or similar.
• Experience establishing test architectures, software frameworks, processes, and standards that support long-term growth and operational scalability.
• Hands-on experience integrating instrumentation, data acquisition hardware, and automated test equipment.
• Experience with industrial and embedded communication protocols such as CAN, Modbus, Ethernet-based protocols, UART, SPI, I2C, Protobuf, or similar.
• Familiarity with electrical test methodologies and troubleshooting techniques for complex systems.
• Demonstrated ownership of complete test systems from initial concept through deployment into production.
• Experience leading technical projects and mentoring junior engineers in a collaborative environment.
• Experience integrating manufacturing test systems with MES, databases, or enterprise software systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Experience developing and scaling manufacturing test systems from prototype, pilot, or low-volume production into high-volume manufacturing.
• Experience supporting new factory launches, production ramp activities, or capacity expansion initiatives.
• Experience working with embedded systems, microcontrollers, embedded Linux platforms, or battery management systems.
• Familiarity with firmware validation, hardware–software integration, and communication protocol troubleshooting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with automation tools and frameworks used in manufacturing test environments.
• Hands-on experience using Python and LabVIEW for test software development and instrumentation control.
• Strong experience in instrumentation and data acquisition for high-volume production environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, MES, Operations, and EHS.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in diagnosing hardware, software, and process issues.
• Ability to create clear, user-friendly technical documentation and training materials for operators and engineers.
• Comfort working both in software development settings and directly on the factory floor to deploy and refine test systems.

Work Environment

This role is based in a large-scale manufacturing facility dedicated to high-volume battery production and modern energy manufacturing. You work primarily on-site in a 550,000-square-foot factory environment that serves as a hub for advanced energy storage technology. The setting combines office and factory floor work, with frequent interaction with automated test equipment, instrumentation, PLCs, MES systems, and factory automation platforms. You collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and spend time around high-voltage test systems designed with robust safety measures such as interlocks, barriers, and lockout/tagout procedures. The environment emphasizes operational scalability, continuous improvement, and close coordination during prototype development, production ramps, and factory expansion activities.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Weirton, WV.

The pay range for this position is $62.50 - $76.92/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Weirton,WV.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.