Freelance Lab Test Engineer Jobs in Minneapolis, MN

Job Title: Test Engineer

Job Description

The Test Engineer acts as a technical subject matter expert for system testing, driving rigorous test practices, reliability validation, and continuous improvement throughout product development and deployment. This role collaborates closely with Systems, Software, Electrical, Mechanical, and Manufacturing teams to ensure products meet performance, reliability, and customer expectations. Success in this position is measured by product reliability, the quality and completeness of test coverage, effective defect prevention, and on-time execution of test programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical subject matter expert for system-level testing across complex electro-mechanical, electrical, and embedded systems.
• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive test plans and procedures to ensure robust test coverage for all product requirements.
• Drive rigorous test methodologies and practices to validate product performance, reliability, and compliance with specifications.
• Plan and execute reliability validation activities, including the use of accelerated testing methods to identify potential failure modes.
• Collaborate closely with Systems, Software, Electrical, Mechanical, and Manufacturing teams to define test strategies and ensure testability of designs.
• Lead test activities independently from planning through execution, analysis, and reporting, ensuring timely completion of test programs.
• Use reliability tools such as DFMEA and FTA to identify, assess, and mitigate risks throughout the product lifecycle.
• Analyze test results, identify defects and trends, and work with cross-functional teams to drive corrective actions and defect prevention.
• Continuously improve test processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance efficiency, coverage, and product quality.
• Ensure that test equipment and setups are appropriate, calibrated, and configured to accurately simulate real-world operating conditions.
• Document test procedures, results, and findings clearly and thoroughly to support design validation, verification, and regulatory requirements.
• Support deployment and manufacturing activities by providing test expertise, troubleshooting issues, and contributing to production test strategies.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in test engineering, validation, or system verification roles.
• Proven experience testing complex electro-mechanical, electrical, and embedded systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in test engineering, including test planning and execution for system-level products.
• Hands-on experience with test equipment used for validating electro-mechanical and electrical systems.
• Experience applying reliability tools such as Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA).
• Experience using accelerated testing methods to evaluate product reliability and identify potential failure mechanisms.
• Ability to lead test activities independently and drive execution from concept through completion.
• Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with Systems, Software, Electrical, Mechanical, and Manufacturing teams.
• Ability to interpret technical requirements and translate them into structured test plans and procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience developing and maintaining structured test plans for complex systems.
• Experience in system verification and validation for products that integrate mechanical, electrical, and embedded software components.
• Proven ability to drive continuous improvement in test processes and methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for interpreting test data and identifying root causes of failures.
• Clear and concise documentation skills for recording test procedures, results, and recommendations.

Work Environment

The Test Engineer works in a collaborative, cross-functional engineering environment, partnering closely with Systems, Software, Electrical, Mechanical, and Manufacturing teams throughout the product lifecycle. The role involves frequent interaction with laboratory and test facilities, including the setup and use of specialized test equipment for electro-mechanical, electrical, and embedded systems. Work typically combines desk-based activities such as test planning, analysis, and documentation with hands-on work in lab or test environments to execute test plans and validate product performance and reliability. The environment emphasizes rigorous engineering practices, structured verification and validation processes, and continuous improvement in test coverage and product quality.

This is a Contract position based out of Eden Prairie, MN.

The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $64.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Eden Prairie,MN.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 10, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.