Manufacturing Test Engineer

Manufacturing Test Engineer

Job Description

The Sr. Manufacturing Test Engineer supports and advances manufacturing test systems for insulin pump products and upcoming commercialization efforts in a type 1 diabetes management environment. This role owns factory acceptance testing systems on the production floor that verify product functionality before shipment. It blends manufacturing test engineering, Python-based test automation, electromechanical troubleshooting, fixture improvement, and close collaboration with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, and Operations teams. The engineer works on automated test systems that validate multiple functional criteria, including motor performance, current draw, mechanical assembly issues, and overall pass/fail results, and plays a key role in improving system performance, reliability, and scalability.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain manufacturing test systems used on the production floor, with a focus on factory acceptance testing systems that verify product functionality before shipment.
• Develop, update, and troubleshoot Python scripts for test automation, including test execution, equipment control, data acquisition, and data analysis.
• Validate multiple functional criteria within automated test systems, such as motor performance, current draw, mechanical assembly integrity, and overall pass/fail outcomes.
• Improve existing test systems by tuning test thresholds, refining test methods, and enhancing system reliability and throughput.
• Analyze test results and production data to identify trends, failure modes, and opportunities for process and test optimization.
• Troubleshoot test system issues across hardware, software, process, and test method layers to quickly resolve production-impacting problems.
• Design, modify, and improve hardware and electromechanical test fixtures, nests, and tooling to support robust and repeatable testing.
• Integrate and maintain test hardware components, including DAQ systems, sensors, PLCs, and automation elements within manufacturing test platforms.
• Develop and validate manufacturing test methods and test plans for automated test systems in a regulated medical device environment.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, and Operations teams to support new product introduction, manufacturing scale-up, and process development.
• Support fixture improvement, automation enhancements, and validation activities for current production and upcoming product commercialization.
• Create and maintain technical documentation related to test systems, test methods, fixture designs, and validation protocols.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to increase test coverage, reduce false failures, and improve yield and throughput.
• Act as a hands-on engineering resource on the production floor, working closely with operators and engineering teams to address day-to-day test and equipment issues.
• Contribute to the design and improvement of custom automated equipment and test platforms as needed to support evolving product and manufacturing requirements.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 5+ years of manufacturing test engineering experience, ideally with automated test systems, electromechanical products, or regulated hardware manufacturing.
• Strong Python scripting ability for test automation, including equipment control, data acquisition, test execution, and data analysis.
• Proven experience developing, maintaining, troubleshooting, or improving automated manufacturing test systems.
• Experience with test hardware integration, including DAQ systems, sensors, PLCs, automation components, or similar equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex issues that span hardware, software, manufacturing processes, and test methods.
• Hands-on experience with hardware and electromechanical test fixtures, sensors, and test hardware integration.
• Comfort working at the intersection of hardware, software, manufacturing, and data-driven problem solving rather than in a purely software or purely mechanical role.
• Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment, preferably medical device manufacturing.
• Knowledge of factory acceptance testing (FAT) concepts and manufacturing test methods for automated test systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks or other CAD tools for basic fixture, nest, or tooling modifications.
• Experience in designing or improving custom automated equipment and test platforms.
• Experience with SQL, Python-based data analysis, or data visualization tools for production and test data.
• Exposure to MES systems or digital manufacturing integration.
• Experience in medical device manufacturing or other regulated industries such as aerospace and defense.
• Ability to work effectively in a growth-stage environment supporting new product introduction, manufacturing scale-up, and process development.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail when tuning test thresholds and validating test methods.
• Effective communication skills for cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Operations, and production teams.
• Comfort with documentation and validation activities required in regulated environments.

Work Environment

This is an onsite, hands-on engineering role in Irvine, CA supporting manufacturing operations for a medical device organization focused on type 1 diabetes management. The engineer works primarily on the manufacturing floor, closely supporting production, R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, and Operations teams to maintain and improve automated test systems. The environment is collaborative, fast-moving, and highly cross-functional, with direct access to engineering resources when issues arise. The culture emphasizes putting people first, supporting work-life balance, and building trust through flexible work options, with many employees personally connected to the diabetes community. Engineers are expected to be proactive problem solvers who are comfortable in a smaller, growth-stage setting where priorities can shift quickly and work includes process development, NPI, manufacturing scale-up, fixture improvement, automation, and validation. The organization offers a strong benefits package, including company-paid medical and dental monthly premiums, life and disability coverage, 401(k) matching with immediate vesting, and a benefits platform designed to support employees and their families, along with potential bonus and equity upside.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Irvine, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $135000.00/yr.

Benefits Comprehensive medical and dental coverage FSA and HSA Plan Options, including an annual company contribution to the HSA 401(k) program with employer match Generous vacation accrual and paid holiday schedule

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Irvine,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 27, 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.