Senior Level Research and Development Test Engineer Jobs
Senior level research and development test engineer jobs place experienced engineers in charge of test strategy, system validation architecture, and the cross-functional teams or projects that deliver results. Openings are concentrated in Technology & Software, Electronics & Hardware, and Science & Research, with a mix of on-site, hybrid, and remote positions, and employers like The Clear Fund, NVIDIA, and Articul8 hiring at this level now.
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INTRODUCTION
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Test Engineer to provide technical leadership for the board-level functional test engineering teams that support our manufacturing operations across multiple sites. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of manufacturing test at SEL by advancing automation, evaluating emerging technologies, and delivering innovative solutions that enable world-class product quality and manufacturing performance.
As a Lead Manufacturing Test Engineer, you will drive technical strategy and execution for production test engineering initiatives, partnering closely with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure the reliability, scalability, and quality of SEL products. You will play a key role in defining test architectures, improving manufacturing efficiency, and implementing technologies that enhance test coverage, throughput, and operational excellence.
This position is ideal for a leader who is energized by building and scaling engineering organizations. The successful candidate will provide leadership and continuity for an established team while guiding both New Product Introduction (NPI) and sustaining-engineering efforts. In addition, this individual will help expand SEL's manufacturing test capabilities by recruiting, developing, and mentoring engineers across existing and newly commissioned manufacturing facilities.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Lead Test Engineer, a typical day might include:
- Partnering with R&D and manufacturing teams to develop and deploy test strategies for new product introductions (NPI).
- Collaborating with technical teams to develop, implement, and improve production test systems and manufacturing test processes that support quality, reliability, and scalability.
- Driving continuous improvement initiatives focused on product quality, test coverage, throughput, manufacturing efficiency, and automation.
- Balancing cost, schedule, quality, and performance objectives while leading engineering projects and technical initiatives.
- Evaluating and piloting new test technologies, equipment, and automation solutions to improve manufacturing capabilities and product quality.
- Developing long-term test technology roadmaps and supporting portfolio planning activities.
- Hiring, building, mentoring, and developing a team of test engineering and production support professionals while fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to solve complex production challenges.
- Representing SEL at external meetings and presenting technical and business updates to internal leadership teams.
- Modeling, teaching, and applying SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing principles.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
This position may be a good fit if you have:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 6+ years of engineering and/or engineering management experience.
- Strong technical expertise in electronics manufacturing, production test engineering, or related disciplines.
- Experience with electronics manufacturing test methodologies and production test systems, including PCB-level testing, automated test solutions, or other manufacturing quality and validation technologies.
- Demonstrated success delivering and supporting manufacturing test processes, equipment, or production systems.
- Experience leading engineering projects and cross-functional teams.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to define practical and scalable solutions to complex technical challenges.
- A proven ability to develop employees, build high-performing teams, and lead through growth and change.
- Experience recruiting and building technical teams is highly desired.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
LOCATION
Location - Pullman, WA
Pullman, WA is located in Eastern Washington and offers an exceptional quality of life. Embrace the charm of small-town living with spacious surroundings, no traffic hassles, and easy access to outdoor adventures in nearby mountains, rivers, and forests. Plus, benefit from excellent schools and universities in the area.
PAY RANGE
Pay Range: $107,600 - $161,500 Annually
We set starting pay based on job-related factors such as your experience, training, knowledge, and skills. We are looking to fill this position at the Lead Test Engineer level, and we welcome applicants with a range of experience. Depending on your background, we may consider you for a different level, with compensation aligned accordingly.
- Test Engineer: $89,400 - $134,100 Annually
- Lead Test Engineer: $107,600 - $161,500 Annually
BENEFITS
Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.
- We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
- We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
- We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
- Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.
COMMUNICATION WITH APPLICANTS
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
INTRODUCTION
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Test Engineer to provide technical leadership for the board-level functional test engineering teams that support our manufacturing operations across multiple sites. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of manufacturing test at SEL by advancing automation, evaluating emerging technologies, and delivering innovative solutions that enable world-class product quality and manufacturing performance.
As a Lead Manufacturing Test Engineer, you will drive technical strategy and execution for production test engineering initiatives, partnering closely with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure the reliability, scalability, and quality of SEL products. You will play a key role in defining test architectures, improving manufacturing efficiency, and implementing technologies that enhance test coverage, throughput, and operational excellence.
This position is ideal for a leader who is energized by building and scaling engineering organizations. The successful candidate will provide leadership and continuity for an established team while guiding both New Product Introduction (NPI) and sustaining-engineering efforts. In addition, this individual will help expand SEL's manufacturing test capabilities by recruiting, developing, and mentoring engineers across existing and newly commissioned manufacturing facilities.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Lead Test Engineer, a typical day might include:
- Partnering with R&D and manufacturing teams to develop and deploy test strategies for new product introductions (NPI).
- Collaborating with technical teams to develop, implement, and improve production test systems and manufacturing test processes that support quality, reliability, and scalability.
- Driving continuous improvement initiatives focused on product quality, test coverage, throughput, manufacturing efficiency, and automation.
- Balancing cost, schedule, quality, and performance objectives while leading engineering projects and technical initiatives.
- Evaluating and piloting new test technologies, equipment, and automation solutions to improve manufacturing capabilities and product quality.
- Developing long-term test technology roadmaps and supporting portfolio planning activities.
- Hiring, building, mentoring, and developing a team of test engineering and production support professionals while fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to solve complex production challenges.
- Representing SEL at external meetings and presenting technical and business updates to internal leadership teams.
- Modeling, teaching, and applying SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing principles.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
This position may be a good fit if you have:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 6+ years of engineering and/or engineering management experience.
- Strong technical expertise in electronics manufacturing, production test engineering, or related disciplines.
- Experience with electronics manufacturing test methodologies and production test systems, including PCB-level testing, automated test solutions, or other manufacturing quality and validation technologies.
- Demonstrated success delivering and supporting manufacturing test processes, equipment, or production systems.
- Experience leading engineering projects and cross-functional teams.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to define practical and scalable solutions to complex technical challenges.
- A proven ability to develop employees, build high-performing teams, and lead through growth and change.
- Experience recruiting and building technical teams is highly desired.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
LOCATION
Location - Pullman, WA
Pullman, WA is located in Eastern Washington and offers an exceptional quality of life. Embrace the charm of small-town living with spacious surroundings, no traffic hassles, and easy access to outdoor adventures in nearby mountains, rivers, and forests. Plus, benefit from excellent schools and universities in the area.
PAY RANGE
Pay Range: $107,600 - $161,500 Annually
We set starting pay based on job-related factors such as your experience, training, knowledge, and skills. We are looking to fill this position at the Lead Test Engineer level, and we welcome applicants with a range of experience. Depending on your background, we may consider you for a different level, with compensation aligned accordingly.
- Test Engineer: $89,400 - $134,100 Annually
- Lead Test Engineer: $107,600 - $161,500 Annually
BENEFITS
Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.
- We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
- We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
- We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
- Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.
COMMUNICATION WITH APPLICANTS
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software47
- Electronics & Hardware20
- Science & Research16
- Manufacturing12
- Aerospace & Defense5
Senior Level Research and Development Test Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level research and development test engineer job?
Employers at this level look for engineers who have owned test programs end to end, not just executed tasks. Demonstrating that you have designed test frameworks, led validation for complex systems, and mentored junior engineers gives you a clear edge. A portfolio of measurable outcomes, such as defect reduction rates or cycle time improvements, strengthens your case considerably over a list of tools and technologies.
Which companies hire senior level research and development test engineers?
Companies hiring senior level research and development test engineers right now include The Clear Fund, NVIDIA, and Articul8, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level tends to come from established technology, aerospace, defense, and medical device manufacturers that run long-cycle R&D programs and need experienced engineers to lead validation efforts.
Are there remote senior level research and development test engineer jobs?
Yes, though hardware-dependent roles often require on-site access to lab equipment and test systems. About 32% of senior level research and development test engineer openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with hybrid arrangements being most common at organizations that need periodic hands-on lab work alongside design and analysis responsibilities that can be performed remotely.
What makes a research and development test engineer role senior level?
Senior level roles are defined by ownership and scope rather than task execution. A senior engineer sets the test strategy, makes architecture decisions, owns the validation plan for a product or system, and is accountable for outcomes across the full development cycle. Mentoring junior engineers, collaborating with systems and design teams, and driving process improvements are core expectations, not occasional responsibilities.
Which industries hire the most senior level research and development test engineers?
Senior Level research and development test engineer roles concentrate in Technology & Software, Electronics & Hardware, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they develop complex, regulated, or safety-critical products where rigorous test leadership directly affects product quality, compliance, and time to market.