Performance Test Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

This role focuses on designing, building, and optimizing HVAC test infrastructure in a large research and development laboratory. You will apply your mechanical and electrical HVAC expertise to develop and improve test facilities, ensuring that test environments accurately reflect real-world conditions. Working under intermittent supervision, you will lead lab initiatives that prepare equipment, people, and processes to support new product development across a broad portfolio of HVAC products and technologies. The position emphasizes test system design and validation strategy rather than routine test execution, offering opportunities to influence product performance and expand your skills in controls, automation, and advanced instrumentation.

• Apply and further develop expertise in mechanical and electrical HVAC systems to support new product development engineering activities.
• Act as the primary technical resource for troubleshooting complex issues with test cells, instrumentation, data acquisition software, and test units.
• Design, plan, and implement new capital test equipment and upgrades to existing test infrastructure with limited supervision.
• Collaborate with cross-functional project teams to define testing expectations, provide technical insights, and recommend test strategies that support product validation.
• Champion the full data collection process, including signal acquisition, data verification, and reporting to ensure high-quality, reliable test results.
• Provide comprehensive technical oversight for general testing activities to maintain the highest level of quality and integrity of results.
• Implement laboratory process improvements related to productivity, metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Review, comprehend, and interpret external testing standards and translate them into internal testing procedures and methods.
• Develop new and advanced testing methodologies and incorporate them into existing test methods and procedures, particularly for complex and novel testing scenarios.
• Coordinate testing activities with product engineers and a team of technicians, providing technical guidance and direction as needed.
• Interpret and create engineering drawings and technical specifications with limited supervision.
• Analyze and interpret data from test results, drawing meaningful conclusions and recommending actions based on findings.
• Coach, mentor, and review the work of lower-level specialists and technical colleagues to build team capability.
• Continuously develop technical expertise and expand into new areas as organizational needs evolve.
• Design, build, and refine test facilities and test environments so they accurately represent real-world HVAC operating conditions, including pumps, valves, fans, and airflow paths.
• Ensure accuracy, repeatability, and robustness of testing processes through sound test methods, validation, and verification practices.
• Collaborate with on-site and off-site engineering teams to influence and support product validation strategies.
• Leverage or grow exposure to control systems and automation tools, such as PLCs and LabVIEW, to enhance test automation and measurement accuracy.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with vendors to perform work and services related to mechanical and electrical facility systems.
• Manage and execute multiple projects simultaneously, balancing priorities in a resource-constrained environment and providing clear technical and status updates.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of demonstrated success and progressive responsibility in an engineering role.
• Knowledge and proficiency in testing methods for components, systems, and complete machines.
• Knowledge and proficiency in statistical methods related to test and product development disciplines.
• Ability to plan and prioritize multiple activities in a resource-constrained environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated success in mentoring technical colleagues.
• Ability to manage and execute multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and quality expectations.
• Exceptional organization and communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise technical and status reports.
• Ability to interpret and create technical standards for testing and test infrastructure.
• Knowledge and proficiency in the specification and setup of complex, automated test setups.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC systems, including pumps, valves, airflow, fans, and related mechanical and electrical components.
• Experience with test methods, test setups, validation, and verification testing in an engineering or laboratory environment.
• Proficiency with fundamentals of instrumentation, such as thermocouples, pressure transducers, and flow measurement devices, sufficient to support accurate data collection and analysis.
• Ability to troubleshoot test cells, instrumentation, data acquisition software, and test units, particularly for complex and in-depth issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Eligibility to work without work visa sponsorship for this position.

• Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Test engineering experience in a research and development or laboratory setting.
• Thorough understanding of HVAC equipment and components, including practical familiarity with pumps, valves, fans, and airflow systems.
• Proficiency with instrumentation fundamentals, including RTDs, thermocouples, pressure transducers, flow meters, electrical and power measurements, and analog/digital data acquisition.
• Formal coursework in measurement systems, heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, machine design, and strength of materials.
• Experience with LabVIEW, including LabVIEW certification as a plus.
• Experience with PLCs, PID controllers, and control systems used in automated test setups.
• Knowledge of thermodynamics and machine design as applied to HVAC systems and test infrastructure.
• EPA refrigerant (EPA 608) certification or direct experience working with refrigerants is a value-add, signaling hands-on HVAC familiarity, but not required.
• Experience designing or setting up test environments, test cells, or lab infrastructure, including capital test equipment.
• Experience ensuring accuracy and repeatability in testing processes through robust procedures, calibration, and validation techniques.
• Experience working cross-functionally with product development teams to build validation and verification strategies.
• Ability to multitask and reprioritize tasks frequently in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to effectively coordinate and communicate with vendors regarding mechanical and electrical facility systems.
• Experience working in an R&D center or lab setting, particularly in roles focused on test system design and optimization.
• Interest in or experience with automation tools and data acquisition systems to improve testing efficiency and accuracy.

This position is based in a large, well-equipped research and development laboratory dedicated to HVAC product development and testing. You will work closely with laboratory staff, design engineers, and product teams in a collaborative, hands-on environment that emphasizes experimentation, continuous improvement, and technical excellence. The lab includes complex mechanical and electrical systems, automated test setups, and advanced data acquisition tools, including instrumentation such as RTDs, thermocouples, pressure transducers, flow meters, and power measurement equipment. Control systems, including PLCs, PID controllers, and LabVIEW-based automation, support test facility operation and provide opportunities to grow your controls and automation skills. The work involves designing and refining test cells and test facilities rather than routine test execution, similar to a manufacturing engineer mindset applied to a lab setting. You will manage multiple projects concurrently and interact with on-site and off-site engineering teams as well as external vendors supporting mechanical and electrical facility systems. The environment values inclusion, diverse perspectives, and collaboration, offering the ability to make a meaningful impact on new product development while shaping your career growth in a supportive, growth-oriented organization.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Minneapolis, MN.

The pay range for this position is $43.00 - $62.50/hr.

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 fully onsite position in Minneapolis,MN.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 31, 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 without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment 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 the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall 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 applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.