Lead Test Engineer
About The Position
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Test Engineer to provide technical leadership for board-level functional test engineering teams supporting manufacturing operations across multiple sites. The role shapes manufacturing test capabilities through automation, evaluation of emerging technologies, and solutions that improve product quality and manufacturing performance. The Lead Manufacturing Test Engineer drives technical strategy and execution for production test engineering initiatives, partnering with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams. The position defines test architectures, improves manufacturing efficiency, and implements technologies that enhance test coverage, throughput, reliability, scalability, and operational excellence. It provides leadership and continuity for an established team and guides both new product introduction (NPI) and sustaining-engineering efforts. The role also expands manufacturing test capabilities by recruiting, developing, and mentoring engineers across existing and newly commissioned facilities. The position is located in Pullman, Washington. SEL is 100% employee-owned and offers competitive pay and benefits.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 6 or more 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 and the ability to define practical, scalable solutions to complex technical challenges.
- Proven ability to develop employees, build high-performing teams, and lead through growth and change.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Nice To Haves
- Experience recruiting and building technical teams.
Responsibilities
- Partner with R&D and manufacturing teams to develop and deploy test strategies for new product introductions.
- Collaborate with technical teams to develop, implement, and improve production test systems and manufacturing test processes that support quality, reliability, and scalability.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on product quality, test coverage, throughput, manufacturing efficiency, and automation.
- Balance cost, schedule, quality, and performance objectives while leading engineering projects and technical initiatives.
- Evaluate and pilot new test technologies, equipment, and automation solutions to improve manufacturing capabilities and product quality.
- Develop long-term test technology roadmaps and support portfolio planning activities.
- Hire, build, mentor, and develop a team of test engineering and production support professionals, fostering technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to solve complex production challenges.
- Represent SEL at external meetings and present technical and business updates to internal leadership teams.
- Model, teach, and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing principles.
Benefits
- Employer-funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
- Medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- 10 paid holidays.
- Vacation accrual beginning at 12 days annually.
- 9 paid sick days.
- Paid family and medical leave covering 90% of pay.
- STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
- Wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending programs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
