Product Development Test Technician

Northern Tool + Equipment; Faribault (MN); On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with enhanced match

Daily Pay program

Employee merchandise discount

Paid holidays and PTO

Growth opportunities and development

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Northern Tool + Equipment in Faribault, MN is seeking a Product Development Test Technician to support new product development and continuous improvement efforts. You will test, build, and validate prototypes alongside engineers, contributing to reliability and safety to meet quality standards.

The role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, technical curiosity, and collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and operations.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or two-year technical degree in Engineering Technology, Electronics, Mechatronics, Industrial Technology, or a related field.
• Experience troubleshooting mechanical and/or electrical systems.
• Strong documentation, organizational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform product testing and validation for new and existing products, including mechanical and electrical systems.
• Build, assemble, troubleshoot, and evaluate product prototypes.
• Execute product qualification and reliability testing programs.
• Develop and conduct Design of Experiments (DOE) testing to evaluate product performance.
• Design, build, maintain, and operate automated and manual test equipment.
• Identify product issues, investigate root causes, and recommend solutions.
• Collect, analyze, and document test data with a high degree of accuracy.
• Create clear technical reports and communicate findings to engineers and leadership teams.
• Maintain test laboratory equipment, inventory, tools, fixtures, and spare components.
• Support manufacturing and production teams with technical expertise as needed.
• Promote and participate in laboratory safety, OSHA compliance, and 5S initiatives.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and teamwork.

Skills

Hands-on aptitude

Mechanical troubleshooting

Electrical systems troubleshooting

Documentation

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint)

Education

Associate degree or 2-year technical degree in Engineering Tech/Mechatronics/Electronics

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Faribault, MN Build Better Products. Solve Real Problems. Make an Impact.

Product Development Test Technician

At Northern Tool + Equipment, we're passionate about building products that help hard-working professionals get the job done. From pressure washers and generators to trailers, power equipment, and specialty tools, our products are trusted every day by customers across the country.

We're looking for a Product Development Test Technician who thrives on figuring out how things work, enjoys hands-on problem solving, and wants to play a critical role in bringing new products to market. In this role, you'll work alongside engineers to build prototypes, validate product performance, identify improvement opportunities, and ensure our products meet the highest standards for quality, reliability, and safety.

If you're the kind of person who enjoys testing, troubleshooting, building, and improving products while working in a fast-paced innovation environment, we'd love to hear from you. The starting hourly rate for this position will range from $24/hour - $32/hour, depending on qualifications and experience.

Why Join Northern Tool + Equipment?

Northern Tool + Equipment is a family-owned company built on a strong Midwestern work ethic and a passion for serving people who work hard every day. With more than 130 stores nationwide and global manufacturing capabilities, we're committed to designing and delivering products that help our customers tackle tough jobs with confidence.

Recognized by Forbes as a Top Midsize Employer, we offer:

• Competitive pay: $22.50 - $36.00/hour, based on experience and qualifications
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with enhanced company match
• Daily Pay program for financial flexibility
• Generous employee merchandise discount
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• A collaborative environment where your ideas and contributions matter

What You'll Do

As a Product Development Test Technician, you'll support new product development and continuous improvement initiatives by evaluating products, collecting performance data, and helping engineers validate designs.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform product testing and validation activities for new and existing products, including mechanical and electrical systems.
• Build, assemble, troubleshoot, and evaluate product prototypes.
• Execute product qualification and reliability testing programs.
• Develop and conduct Design of Experiments (DOE) testing to evaluate product performance.
• Design, build, maintain, and operate automated and manual test equipment.
• Identify product issues, investigate root causes, and recommend solutions.
• Collect, analyze, and document test data with a high degree of accuracy.
• Create clear technical reports and communicate findings to engineers and leadership teams.
• Maintain test laboratory equipment, inventory, tools, fixtures, and spare components.
• Support manufacturing and production teams with technical expertise as needed.
• Promote and participate in laboratory safety, OSHA compliance, and 5S initiatives.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and teamwork.

What Makes You Successful

You're naturally curious about how products work and enjoy taking things apart, testing limits, and solving technical challenges. You combine hands-on mechanical aptitude with strong analytical thinking and attention to detail.

You are someone who:

• Enjoys troubleshooting and solving complex technical problems.
• Has a passion for product development and innovation.
• Can interpret data and make recommendations based on facts and testing results.
• Communicates effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Takes ownership of projects and follows through on commitments.
• Works collaboratively across engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment where every day presents a new challenge.

Qualifications

Required

• Associate degree or two-year technical degree in Engineering Technology, Electronics, Mechatronics, Industrial Technology, or a related field.
• At least one year of experience in product testing, product development, laboratory operations, manufacturing engineering, or a related technical environment.
• Experience troubleshooting mechanical and/or electrical systems.
• Strong documentation, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred

• Experience supporting product development projects from concept through validation.
• Familiarity with reliability testing and product qualification methods.
• Experience designing or operating test fixtures and automated test equipment.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis and continuous improvement methodologies.

Why This Role Matters

The products we design are used by tradespeople, mechanics, contractors, and do-it-yourselfers across the country. Your work will directly influence product quality, reliability, safety, and customer satisfaction. You'll have the opportunity to test new ideas, improve existing products, and help bring innovative solutions to market.

If you're mechanically inclined, technically curious, and excited about developing products that make work easier for our customers.