Entry Level Software Test Engineer Jobs in Belleville, NJ

About the role
The Production Test Engineer is responsible for ensuring stable and efficient test operations in a high-volume manufacturing environment. You will serve as the first line of technical support for production test issues, working closely with manufacturing, quality, IT, and engineering teams to diagnose failures, minimize downtime, and maintain production continuity.
This role requires strong hands-on troubleshooting, data-driven problem solving, and the ability to quickly respond to issues while driving continuous improvements in test processes, yield, and operational efficiency.
What You'll Do

• Support day-to-day production test operations, ensuring smooth execution and rapid resolution of test failures to minimize downtime and production impact.
• Act as the first point of escalation for test, hardware, and infrastructure-related issues in manufacturing.
• Perform failure analysis using test logs, data, and experiments to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor and analyze test metrics (e.g., yield, failure trends, cycle time) to identify bottlenecks and drive process improvements.
• Develop and maintain test configuration, test tools, and utilities to support test execution, debugging, and technician efficiency.
• Partner with engineering, quality, and IT teams to optimize test flows, improve reliability, and enhance system performance.
• Enable and maintain test infrastructure (e.g., networking, switches, configurations) to support production readiness.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) by validating test readiness, identifying issues early, and ensuring smooth transition to mass production.
• Train and support production technicians on troubleshooting methods, tools, and best practices.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance test coverage, reduce false failures, and improve overall quality.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Technology or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 1-3 years of experience in production test, manufacturing engineering, or a similar technical role (including internships or co-op experience).
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in hardware, system, or test environments.
• Basic experience with server hardware, system bring-up, debug, or repair.
• Familiarity with scripting (Linux and/or Windows environments) for debugging or automation.
• Ability to analyze data and identify trends to support process improvements.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in manufacturing or production environments.
• Familiarity with hardware/software integration or system-level testing.
• Basic knowledge of networking, server architecture, or data center systems.
• Exposure to NPI (new product introduction) or production ramp activities.
• Experience developing simple scripts, tools, or automation utilities.

ZT Systems assesses market data to ensure a competitive compensation package is created for all our employees. The typical base salary for this position is expected to be around $60,750 to $81,000. If hired, the final base salary will be determined on an individual basis taking into consideration experience, skills, knowledge, education and/or certifications.
Base salary is just one component of ZT Systems total rewards philosophy. We take pride in offering a wide range of benefits and perks that appeal to the variety of needs across our diverse employee base. Other rewards may include bonus, paid time off, generous 401k match, tuition reimbursement, wellbeing resources, and more.
We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this opportunity but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
About ZT Systems
At ZT Systems, a Sanmina Company, you'll get to do work you are proud of alongside smart, passionate people. Every day, there are opportunities to collaborate with the best in the industry to design, build, and deliver impactful solutions to world-class customers. Along the way, you will gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment that's challenging, rewarding, and career-defining.
A culture built around our values we work hard and think fast. We view challenges as opportunities-to do better, push harder, and be faster than we were the day before. When we fail, we learn from it and move on together. And when we succeed, we use the momentum to go even further. We create value with everything we do, building the foundation of today-and transforming the future of tomorrow.
Join ZT Systems and help us build technology infrastructure that connects the world.
What We Offer
At ZT Systems, a Sanmina Company, we believe that investing in our people is key to our continued growth and innovation. When you join our team, you'll gain access to a comprehensive and inclusive benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and professional development-both now and in the future.
Compensation & Financial Security
-Competitive base salary
-Performance-based annual bonus eligibility
-401(k) retirement savings plan
-Tuition reimbursement for eligible education programs
Health & Wellness
-Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with access to leading providers
-Mental health resources and employee wellness support programs-
-Company-paid life and disability insurance
Time Away & Work-Life Balance
-Paid time off (PTO) and company-paid holidays
-Parental leave and family care support programs
Growth & Purpose
-Structured training programs and on-the-job learning opportunities
-Matching gifts and volunteer programs to support causes you care about
These benefits are available to eligible employees and are designed to grow with you as your career evolves. Full benefits and eligibility varies by work location. Learn more about our benefits here.
ZT Group Int'l. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. ZT Systems provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Please be aware that certain positions may require the applicant to either 1) be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or 2) be eligible to obtain an export control license or license exception from the Bureau of Industry and Science & U.S. Department of Commerce. All offers of employment will be conditional subject to the foregoing.