Test Engineer

David Aplin Recruiting; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruiting firm in Canada is seeking a Test Engineer to support collaborative efforts in the defense industry. Key responsibilities include optimizing manufacturing processes, enhancing product quality, and implementing testing techniques. The ideal candidate will have a degree in engineering, relevant test engineering experience, and must be eligible for Canadian government security clearance. The role offers competitive salary and benefits, ensuring a strong focus on quality and safety in product testing.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Extended health and dental coverage

Life insurance

RRSP and deferred profit-sharing programs

Employee & Family Assistance Program

Student bursaries

Qualifications

• Must have relevant test engineering experience.
• Eligible for Canadian government security clearance.
• Experience in aerospace or defence sectors preferred.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate new product designs for testability.
• Drive improvements in test efficiency.
• Lead the implementation of new test processes.
• Design production test sets to improve quality.
• Conduct root cause analysis of failures.

Skills

Test Engineering

Continuous Improvement

Problem-Solving

Data Analysis

Communication Skills

Education

Degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Visio

LabVIEW

3D CAD tools (SolidWorks)

Job description

Aplin has partnered with a leader in the defense industry who is seeking a Test Engineer to join their team! This role supports cross‑functional collaboration with Design Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Production Support to design, monitor, and optimize manufacturing and testing processes for both existing and new product lines. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in test systems, continuous improvement, and hands‑on problem‑solving to improve efficiency, quality, and safety on the shop floor.

Eligibility

Due to the nature of programs delivered for customers, candidates must be eligible to obtain Canadian government security clearance and meet all requirements to work on Controlled Goods projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate new product designs and provide feedback on testability.
• Drive improvements in production lead times and test efficiency using continuous improvement methodologies.
• Lead the design and implementation of new test processes, procedures, and systems—including training production and support staff.
• Apply understanding of product design principles to optimize testing strategies.
• Design and develop production test sets, jigs, and fixtures to improve product quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Standardize test design criteria across product lines and contribute to design reviews to ensure Design for Testability is incorporated.
• Conduct root cause analysis of process failures and support corrective actions.
• Develop and update test work instructions and documentation.
• Support investigations into product non‑conformances and recommend corrective actions.
• Periodically review test processes and implement improvements to eliminate deficiencies.
• Explore and implement new testing techniques and equipment to stay aligned with industry best practices.
• Champion process improvement initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement within production teams.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Industrial, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline with relevant test engineering experience.
• Proven experience in a test engineering or related role within an industrial setting.
• Must be eligible to obtain Canadian government security clearance and meet Controlled Goods requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as LEAN, Six Sigma, or TQM.
• Knowledge of work measurement and standardization.
• Previous experience in aerospace or defence sectors is a strong asset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Visio.
• Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., creating routings and Bill of Materials).
• Strong technical writing skills; experience writing test procedures and work instructions is an asset.
• Familiarity with 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred).
• Experience with LabVIEW.
• Strong skills in data analysis and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Understanding of engineering change control processes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and documentation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to learn quickly, adapt to change, and apply innovative solutions to complex problems.

Perks

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Extended health and dental coverage
• Life insurance and optional critical illness insurance
• RRSP and deferred profit‑sharing programs
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Student bursaries and additional supports

At Aplin — together with our brands CompuStaff and Impact Recruitment — we connect great people with great organizations across North America. We believe diverse teams build stronger companies, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We use AI tools to assist in a fair and efficient matching process, helping our recruiters connect the right people with the right opportunities. To be considered, applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, including holding any required permits. Our recruitment services are always free for job seekers.