1

Automotive Engineer Jobs in Pullman, WA (NOW HIRING)

... Engineer! This individual performs a variety of maintenance trade functions such as the ... Performs general mechanical maintenance on pumps, compressors, water heaters, automotive equipment ...

Your Development The Clearwater Paper Early Career Engineer role is a rotational development opportunity for recent college graduates to experience various aspects of the business through varied ...

Conductor/Engineer - Lewiston, ID Job Location: Lewiston, ID Depot-83501 Office Location: Onsite Employment Type: Hourly Job Type: Full Time Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference Keep the ...

Automotive Engineer information

See Pullman, WA salary details

$27

$34

$49

How much do automotive engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for automotive engineer in Pullman, WA is $34.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.29 and $33.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an automotive engineer do?

Automotive engineers design, develop, and test the mechanical components and subsystems of vehicles. As an automotive engineer, you may be asked to create engineering specifications, conduct design reviews, provide technical direction to other staff, modify existing parts in a lab, or perform various analyses. In some cases, automotive engineers perform emergency tests and checks to search for manufacturing defects and decide whether or not a recall should be ordered.

What does an automotive engineer do?

An automotive engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing vehicles and their subsystems. They work on improving the performance, safety, and efficiency of cars, trucks, and other automobiles. Their work often involves collaborating with other engineers to create new technologies, address regulatory requirements, and solve engineering challenges in vehicle production. Automotive engineers may specialize in areas such as structural design, electronics, or powertrain systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automotive engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automotive Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, problem-solving skills, and a relevant degree in automotive or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and knowledge of industry standards such as ISO and SAE, as well as certifications like Professional Engineer (PE), are typically required. Strong teamwork, effective communication, and adaptability help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and respond to rapidly changing technologies. These skills ensure successful vehicle design, compliance with safety standards, and innovation in a competitive automotive market.

What are some common challenges automotive engineers face when working on new vehicle models?

Automotive engineers often encounter challenges related to balancing innovative design with strict safety and regulatory standards. They must also work within tight project timelines and budget constraints, all while ensuring that new technologies are both reliable and manufacturable at scale. Collaboration across multidisciplinary teams—including designers, software specialists, and manufacturing engineers—is essential to address issues such as integration of electronics, fuel efficiency, and sustainability. Navigating these complexities requires strong problem-solving skills and adaptability.

What is the difference between Automotive Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectAutomotive EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Automotive, or related fields; possibly certifications like SAE or ASEBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; professional engineer (PE) license optional
Work EnvironmentAutomotive manufacturing plants, R&D labs, design studiosFactories, design offices, research labs across various industries
Industry UsageAutomotive industry focus on vehicle design, testing, and productionBroad industry application including aerospace, manufacturing, energy, and more

Automotive Engineers specialize in vehicle design, testing, and manufacturing within the automotive industry, often requiring specific automotive certifications. Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, working across multiple industries with similar foundational skills. Both roles share core engineering principles but differ in industry focus and application.

Are automotive engineers in demand?

Automotive engineers are in demand due to ongoing advancements in vehicle technology, electric vehicles, and autonomous systems. The field requires strong skills in CAD software, systems design, and knowledge of industry standards, with employment opportunities available in manufacturing, research, and development sectors.

What are popular job titles related to Automotive Engineer jobs in Pullman, WA?

For Automotive Engineer jobs in Pullman, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Pullman, WA are hiring for Automotive Engineer jobs?

Cities near Pullman, WA with the most Automotive Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Automotive Engineer job openings in Pullman, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,756 per year, or $34 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 159 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Electronics Test Engineer (All Levels)

We are hiring Electronics Test Engineers at all experience levels in Pullman, WA and Lewiston, ID. Whether you are early in your career and ready to grow into test engineering or a seasoned engineer ready to lead, we have a place for you on our team.

Why This Work Matters

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories exists to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. Our devices must respond to system faults within milliseconds-to ensure safety, avoid damage, and minimize outages. Hundreds of utilities and millions of industrial, commercial, and residential consumers depend on SEL products every day.

Our products are industry-leading, and our test infrastructure must be as well. Test engineering is where electronics design, instrumentation, Design for Test (DFT), and quality engineering meet production. We engineer the infrastructure, test systems, methods, and automation that help ensure our products perform reliably in production and in the field. As an Electronics Test Engineer, you sit at the intersection of product design and manufacturing, doing hands-on test development from concept through production.

What You Will Do

The work is broad, hands-on, and directly improves product quality, manufacturing capability, and SEL devices. You will design hardware and instrumentation, develop and document test procedures, carefully consider potential failure modes, write test automation programs, and collaborate with engineers around the company and the people operating our test systems in production.

  • Develop test strategies, test plans, and test automation for new and existing products
  • Collaborate with R&D product design engineers on Design for Test (DFT), ensuring new products are testable and manufacturable from the start
  • Design, develop, and maintain board-level and functional test systems - including modern flying probe platforms from SPEA, bed-of-nails systems, and internally developed automated test stations
  • Analyze test data to identify trends, root causes of failures, and opportunities for improvement
  • Evaluate and implement new test technologies and methods
  • Continuously identify, measure, and improve processes - continually driving to improve test performance and coverage

Our manufacturing facilities are US-based, modern, clean, safe, and growing. Test Engineers are at the heart of what we do-you will see your work go from concept to production floor, often within the same building.

Roles We Are Filling

Early Career Electronics Test Engineer - You do not need to start as a test engineering expert-if you understand electronics and circuits, we will help you grow into the discipline. You will learn quickly by doing real work on real products. Under the guidance of experienced engineers, you will design and validate test fixtures, write and debug test scripts, troubleshoot failures, and build your expertise across board-level test, functional test, instrumentation design, and test automation.

Lead Electronics Test Engineer - You will own test development projects end to end, mentor engineers and technicians, set technical direction for the team, determine DFT specifications with R&D, and drive adoption of emerging test technologies. This is a true electronics engineering leadership role.

This Might Be For You If:
  • You have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering Technology, or equivalent
  • You have a solid understanding of analog and digital electronics-that foundation matters more than prior test engineering experience
  • You enjoy hands-on work and problem solving
  • You have experience with (or want to learn) test system development, scripting, and instrumentation design
  • You communicate clearly and work well on a team
For lead-level candidates, we also look for:
  • Experience in electronics test development-designing and building production test systems
  • A track record of leading or mentoring engineers or technicians
  • Experience with automation, instrumentation, and circuit analysis
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
Even Better If:
  • You have experience with DFT practices in electronics manufacturing
  • You have knowledge of power systems protection products
  • You have experience with flying probe, bed-of-nails, or functional test system development
  • You have a background in firmware development for embedded test or self-test applications
  • You have exposure to programming (Python, C, or similar)
Why SEL

Your work has purpose. Our customers rely on our products to keep critical systems fully operational-and we stand behind them 100 percent. By concentrating on our purpose, we continue to build our service to the electric power industry worldwide.

You own what you build. SEL is 100% employee-owned. There are no outside shareholders. When the company succeeds, you share directly in that success through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

You will grow here. We employ, train, and challenge highly qualified people. We know that the person best equipped to improve a process is the one performing the process, and that empowerment and education ensure continuous improvement. We invest in our people through tuition assistance, STEM education, and engineering development programs.

It is built to last. SEL has manufactured in the United States since 1984. We view our role in the electric power industry with a long-term perspective, which parallels the longevity of our products.

Positions in Pullman, WA and Lewiston, ID

Both are part of the Palouse region-a tight-knit community amid the rolling hills of eastern Washington and north-central Idaho, with two major universities as close neighbors, strong K-12 schools, affordable housing, and no traffic. The Snake and Clearwater rivers converge in Lewiston for year-round fishing and boating. Hiking and mountain biking trails are minutes from town, and ski areas like Bluewood, Lookout Pass, and Mount Spokane are within a short drive. Farmers markets, local festivals, community theater, and Division I athletics round out a quality of life that is difficult to match in a larger metro area.

Pay Range Data:

$84,200-$124,500 per year for the Associate Test Engineer position
$97,700-$144,400 per year for the Test Engineer position
$115,300-$170,400 per year for the Lead Test Engineer position

Our compensation ranges are based on the responsibilities of the role. Starting pay is determined individually and considers factors such as relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and training. Candidates may be considered at different levels based on their background. As a result, pay may vary to align with the level of the role


What Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom