Lead Test Engineer

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories • Pullman, WA

1d

About The Position

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is hiring a Lead Test Engineer to provide technical leadership for board-level functional test engineering teams supporting manufacturing operations across multiple sites. The role advances manufacturing test through automation, evaluation of emerging technologies, and solutions that improve product quality and manufacturing performance. It leads the strategy and execution of production test engineering initiatives in partnership with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams.

The position defines test architectures, improves manufacturing efficiency, and implements technologies to enhance test coverage, throughput, and operational excellence. The Lead Test Engineer 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 at existing and newly commissioned manufacturing facilities.

The position is based in Pullman, Washington. SEL is employee-owned and describes its compensation and benefits as competitive.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 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 and ability to define practical, scalable solutions to complex technical challenges.
• 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.
• Develop, implement, and improve production test systems and manufacturing test processes to support quality, reliability, and scalability.
• Drive continuous improvement in product quality, test coverage, throughput, manufacturing efficiency, and automation.
• Lead engineering projects and technical initiatives while balancing cost, schedule, quality, and performance objectives.
• Evaluate and pilot new test technologies, equipment, and automation solutions.
• Develop long-term test technology roadmaps and support portfolio planning.
• Hire, build, mentor, and develop a team of test engineering and production support professionals.
• Collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to solve production challenges.
• Represent SEL at external meetings and present technical and business updates to internal leadership.
• Model, teach, and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing principles.

Benefits

• Employee ownership.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior