Test Engineer

Actalent; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 103,155,000 - 126,078,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & vision

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

HSA

Transportation benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Test Engineer for the second shift to monitor equipment test cells, analyze results, and provide technical recommendations to resolve failures. You will diagnose electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical issues and communicate findings to day-shift teams for continuous improvement in testing and validation.

This role requires independent work on the second shift, strong troubleshooting skills and experience with diagnostic tools.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of troubleshooting experience in heavy equipment or industrial settings.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to understand complex assemblies.
• Advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis across electrical, hydraulic and mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Monitor multiple equipment test cells remotely and ensure tests run per requirements.
• Review test results to identify failures and anomalies and assess impact on product performance.
• Investigate failures using structured troubleshooting to determine root causes.
• Provide technical recommendations and support corrective actions.
• Interpret diagnostic data, service codes and machine data to identify issues.
• Read electrical, hydraulic and mechanical schematics to troubleshoot problems.
• Trace circuits and components to verify operation and locate faults.
• Assist in identifying hydraulic system issues and performance degradation.
• Support testing and validation after equipment assembly per acceptance criteria.
• Escalate complex issues and maintain ownership of overnight troubleshooting.
• Serve as primary second-shift technical resource with limited supervision.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Electrical troubleshooting

Hydraulic troubleshooting

Mechanical troubleshooting

Schematic reading (electrical)

Independent work

Communication

Tools

Diagnostic software

Service tools

Electrical test equipment

Job description

Job Title: Test Engineer – Second Shift

The Test Engineer monitors and diagnoses multiple equipment test cells from a centralized office environment, analyzes test results to identify failures and anomalies, and provides technical recommendations to resolve issues affecting production. This role focuses on advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis for electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems, while supporting testing and validation activities after equipment assembly. The Test Engineer works autonomously on second shift, documents findings, and communicates clearly with day-shift engineering teams to drive continuous improvement in testing, quality, and validation processes.

Responsibilities

• Monitor multiple equipment test cells remotely from a centralized office environment and ensure tests run according to established requirements.
• Review and analyze test results to identify failures, anomalies, and out-of-spec conditions, and determine their impact on product performance and reliability.
• Investigate test failures and determine likely root causes, using a structured and logical troubleshooting methodology.
• Provide technical recommendations regarding failed components, system issues, or operating conditions, and support implementation of corrective actions.
• Interpret diagnostic information, service codes, and machine data to identify and resolve electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical issues.
• Read and utilize electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical schematics to troubleshoot equipment problems accurately and efficiently.
• Trace electrical circuits and component connectivity using voltage, continuity, and related diagnostic methods to verify proper operation and identify faults.
• Assist in identifying hydraulic system issues including cavitation, abnormal pump behavior, contamination, fluid concerns, and performance degradation.
• Occasionally recreate machine issues when necessary to support root cause identification and confirm corrective actions.
• Support testing and validation activities following equipment assembly, working within established acceptance criteria and testing requirements.
• Escalate complex technical issues when appropriate while maintaining ownership of overnight troubleshooting activities and ensuring progress is made.
• Serve as the primary second-shift technical resource, progressing issues independently and making informed decisions with limited supervision.
• Document troubleshooting findings, diagnostic steps, and technical recommendations in a clear and organized manner.
• Communicate technical observations and overnight progress effectively to incoming day-shift engineering and support teams to ensure continuity.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to testing, quality, and validation processes by sharing insights and proposing enhancements.
• Collaborate with maintenance, manufacturing, and engineering teams to resolve problems that impact production schedules and product quality.
• Utilize diagnostic software and service tools to evaluate equipment performance and identify system faults.
• Maintain a service technician mindset focused on reliability, safety, and practical problem solving in a production environment.

Essential Skills

• 3–5+ years of troubleshooting experience in one or more of the following areas: heavy equipment maintenance, diesel technology, construction equipment service, automotive diagnostics, industrial maintenance, hydraulic systems troubleshooting, or electrical systems diagnostics.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to understand complex mechanical assemblies and system interactions.
• Advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills for electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics for diagnosing and repairing equipment faults.
• Ability to read and interpret hydraulic schematics to identify system issues and performance concerns.
• Ability to read and interpret parts diagrams, blueprints, and service documentation to support maintenance and repair activities.
• Experience diagnosing equipment faults using logical, step-by-step troubleshooting methodology.
• Electrical maintenance and electrical troubleshooting experience in industrial or heavy equipment environments.
• Hydraulic troubleshooting and hydraulic maintenance experience, including familiarity with pumps, valves, and fluid systems.
• Mechanical aptitude combined with strong technical problem-solving capabilities.
• Independent decision-making skills with the ability to evaluate situations and choose appropriate actions without close supervision.
• Critical thinking skills to assess complex technical issues and weigh multiple possible causes and solutions.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision during second-shift operations.
• Effective communication skills to document findings and convey technical information clearly to engineering, production, and maintenance teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience as a field service technician or maintenance technician supporting heavy or industrial equipment.
• Familiarity with mining or large construction equipment such as trucks, loaders, graders, and scrapers.
• Experience utilizing diagnostic software and service tools to access and interpret machine data and service codes.
• Knowledge of low-voltage electrical systems and their application in heavy equipment or industrial machinery.
• Prior experience supporting manufacturing, testing, or validation environments, particularly in high-production settings.
• Service technician mindset focused on practical solutions, equipment reliability, and safety.
• Technical problem-solving skills that combine hands‑on experience with analytical thinking.
• Comfort collaborating with engineering, production, and maintenance teams in a fast‑paced environment.
• Interest in training and development opportunities to learn company‑specific testing, validation processes, systems, and diagnostic tools.
• Motivation to pursue long‑term career growth with potential advancement into day‑shift and other engineering support roles.
• Appreciation for roles that offer job stability, high impact on product quality and reliability, and ongoing production support needs.

Work Environment

This position operates primarily in an office‑based monitoring and troubleshooting environment, with frequent interaction with engineering, production, and maintenance teams. The role includes occasional time spent around manufacturing and testing operations supporting large wheeled equipment such as mining trucks, wheel loaders, motor graders, and scrapers. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM (second shift). Saturday evening overtime is required approximately 2–3 times per month based on production demands and build schedules, while Sunday second‑shift work is not expected. The role is designed for a self‑sufficient technical professional who can evaluate situations independently, make informed recommendations, and elevate issues appropriately when additional engineering support is needed. The environment offers technical challenge, autonomy as the primary overnight technical expert, direct training from experienced engineers and technicians, long‑term career growth opportunities, job stability aligned with growing production demand, and the chance to have a high impact on product quality, reliability, and manufacturing success.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Decatur, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $44.00/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)

Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Decatur,IL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 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 [e-mail] 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.