Entry Level Hardware Test Engineer Jobs
New grad hardware test engineer jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where a strong portfolio of coursework or internship work often carries more weight than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Aerospace & Defense and Distribution & Wholesale, with employers like SpaceX, Impulse Space, and Anton Paar USA hiring at this level now.
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Would you like to work for the world leader in characterizing porous materials? We develop and manufacture instruments for various applications, including batteries, catalysis, carbons, MOFs, pharmaceuticals, building materials, and ceramics. Are you interested to find out how our instruments can help today’s research to discover tomorrow’s innovations? Do you like to travel, to visit universities and Fortune 500 companies all around the world? Perhaps you are more interested in installing, calibrating, and building instruments? Join our team!
Job Description
The Hardware Test Engineer plays a key role in the Research & Development team, supporting rapid validation and sustaining of precision analytical instruments. This position involves:
- Executing development and prototype hardware tests (mechanical and electrical) under real-world conditions, including troubleshooting
- Analyzing test data to identify performance trends and recommend improvements
- Developing and coding firmware for automated test sequences
- Assembling mechanical and electrical test fixtures from parts, tools, and pre-made components
- Transferring prototypes into early production runs and supporting production ramp
- Conducting quality inspections and First Article Inspections (FAI) to verify design conformance
- Providing sustaining support for existing products, troubleshooting issues, and implementing corrective actions
Roles and Responsibilities
The Hardware Test Engineer works closely with design, manufacturing, quality, and service teams to ensure both new and existing instruments meet performance and reliability goals. Key duties include:
- Assemble and integrate prototype hardware into complete instrument assemblies for testing and evaluation.
- Plan and execute development and prototype hardware tests (mechanical and electrical) under real-world conditions.
- Record and analyze test data, identify trends, and recommend improvements.
- Build and assemble mechanical and electrical test fixtures from parts, tools, and pre-made components to support testing needs.
- Write or adapt simple test automation scripts in C, Python, or LabView.
- Work with designers to develop fixture concepts; assist in fixture assembly.
- Troubleshoot test failures or equipment issues, identifying root causes and working with engineering teams to resolve them.
- Collaborate with manufacturing to transition prototypes into pilot production, establish test plans, and set go/no-go criteria.
- Perform dimensional, visual, and functional inspections, including First Article Inspections (FAI) with guidance as needed.
- Assist with troubleshooting field-returned units and contribute to corrective actions for existing products.
- Identify opportunities to improve test processes, reduce cycle times, and enhance data accuracy.
- Develop fixture improvement plans, and optimize automation and sustaining workflows.
- May be required to travel domestically or internationally (< 5%).
- All other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
The Hardware Test Engineer typically needs a combination of education, training, certifications and skills. This role requires the following:
- AA in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or related Engineering discipline (or equivalent technical training).
- 0–3 years of hands-on experience in hardware testing, prototype development, or sustaining engineering.
- Experience operating, testing, and troubleshooting integrated electromechanical equipment.
- Proficient in building mechanical structures, wiring electronics, and creating simple software scripts.
- Familiarity with a range of test equipment, such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, environmental chambers, power supplies, and data acquisition systems.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and document test data, and produce clear, concise reports.
- Understanding of basic quality inspection methods, CMM is a plus.
- Strong teamwork and communication skills.
Preferred (not required):
- Experience with data analysis tools (MATLAB, Python/Pandas, Excel).
- Knowledge of production-test fixtures or high-volume testing practices.
- Background in precision instrumentation or industrial automation.
Additional Information
Supervision Exercised
This role is an independent contributor who is a member of multiple teams, and does not have any direct supervision of staff.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, observe, communicate and handle items such as computers, machinery and other equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
Position requires the ability to obtain a Passport for international travel.
In regard to organizational issues, the employee will comply with the regulations set forward in the Anton Paar Employee Handbook, except if otherwise stated.
Anton Paar QuantaTec Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at Anton Paar QuantaTec Inc. are based upon one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to: age, race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, sickle cell trait, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
#LI-JV1
Would you like to work for the world leader in characterizing porous materials? We develop and manufacture instruments for various applications, including batteries, catalysis, carbons, MOFs, pharmaceuticals, building materials, and ceramics. Are you interested to find out how our instruments can help today’s research to discover tomorrow’s innovations? Do you like to travel, to visit universities and Fortune 500 companies all around the world? Perhaps you are more interested in installing, calibrating, and building instruments? Join our team!
Job Description
The Hardware Test Engineer plays a key role in the Research & Development team, supporting rapid validation and sustaining of precision analytical instruments. This position involves:
- Executing development and prototype hardware tests (mechanical and electrical) under real-world conditions, including troubleshooting
- Analyzing test data to identify performance trends and recommend improvements
- Developing and coding firmware for automated test sequences
- Assembling mechanical and electrical test fixtures from parts, tools, and pre-made components
- Transferring prototypes into early production runs and supporting production ramp
- Conducting quality inspections and First Article Inspections (FAI) to verify design conformance
- Providing sustaining support for existing products, troubleshooting issues, and implementing corrective actions
Roles and Responsibilities
The Hardware Test Engineer works closely with design, manufacturing, quality, and service teams to ensure both new and existing instruments meet performance and reliability goals. Key duties include:
- Assemble and integrate prototype hardware into complete instrument assemblies for testing and evaluation.
- Plan and execute development and prototype hardware tests (mechanical and electrical) under real-world conditions.
- Record and analyze test data, identify trends, and recommend improvements.
- Build and assemble mechanical and electrical test fixtures from parts, tools, and pre-made components to support testing needs.
- Write or adapt simple test automation scripts in C, Python, or LabView.
- Work with designers to develop fixture concepts; assist in fixture assembly.
- Troubleshoot test failures or equipment issues, identifying root causes and working with engineering teams to resolve them.
- Collaborate with manufacturing to transition prototypes into pilot production, establish test plans, and set go/no-go criteria.
- Perform dimensional, visual, and functional inspections, including First Article Inspections (FAI) with guidance as needed.
- Assist with troubleshooting field-returned units and contribute to corrective actions for existing products.
- Identify opportunities to improve test processes, reduce cycle times, and enhance data accuracy.
- Develop fixture improvement plans, and optimize automation and sustaining workflows.
- May be required to travel domestically or internationally (< 5%).
- All other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
The Hardware Test Engineer typically needs a combination of education, training, certifications and skills. This role requires the following:
- AA in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or related Engineering discipline (or equivalent technical training).
- 0–3 years of hands-on experience in hardware testing, prototype development, or sustaining engineering.
- Experience operating, testing, and troubleshooting integrated electromechanical equipment.
- Proficient in building mechanical structures, wiring electronics, and creating simple software scripts.
- Familiarity with a range of test equipment, such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, environmental chambers, power supplies, and data acquisition systems.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and document test data, and produce clear, concise reports.
- Understanding of basic quality inspection methods, CMM is a plus.
- Strong teamwork and communication skills.
Preferred (not required):
- Experience with data analysis tools (MATLAB, Python/Pandas, Excel).
- Knowledge of production-test fixtures or high-volume testing practices.
- Background in precision instrumentation or industrial automation.
Additional Information
Supervision Exercised
This role is an independent contributor who is a member of multiple teams, and does not have any direct supervision of staff.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, observe, communicate and handle items such as computers, machinery and other equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
Position requires the ability to obtain a Passport for international travel.
In regard to organizational issues, the employee will comply with the regulations set forward in the Anton Paar Employee Handbook, except if otherwise stated.
Anton Paar QuantaTec Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at Anton Paar QuantaTec Inc. are based upon one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to: age, race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, sickle cell trait, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
#LI-JV1
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Top Industries Hiring
- Aerospace & Defense
- Distribution & Wholesale
Entry Level Hardware Test Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level hardware test engineer job?
Focus on hands-on experience you can show: lab coursework, senior design projects, or internships where you tested circuits, wrote test scripts, or worked with equipment like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers. Familiarity with test automation basics, debugging practices, and reading schematics gives entry level candidates a clear edge. Tailoring your resume to highlight measurable outcomes from academic or intern projects also helps you stand out at this stage.
Which companies hire entry level hardware test engineers?
Companies hiring entry level hardware test engineers right now include SpaceX, Impulse Space, and Anton Paar USA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring comes from a wide range of employers, including semiconductor manufacturers, defense contractors, consumer electronics firms, and hardware startups that need early-career engineers to support growing test and validation teams.
Are there remote entry level hardware test engineer jobs?
Yes, though hardware roles trend more on-site than other engineering disciplines due to lab and equipment requirements. About 100% of entry level hardware test engineer openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, so options exist but competition for those postings is typically higher. Hybrid arrangements are more common at larger companies where some documentation or scripting work can be done off-site.
Are these new grad hardware test engineer jobs?
Yes, the openings on this page include new grad, recent graduate, and junior hardware test engineer roles. A new grad friendly posting typically welcomes zero to two years of experience, accepts internships or co-ops in place of full-time history, and treats a strong academic project or capstone as valid proof of skill. Look for language like "entry level," "new grad," or "no experience required" in the job description.
Which industries hire the most entry level hardware test engineers?
Entry Level hardware test engineer roles concentrate in Aerospace & Defense and Distribution & Wholesale, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive early-career hiring because they depend on rigorous product validation and testing pipelines, creating consistent demand for junior engineers who can support test development, failure analysis, and quality verification work.