Test Technician

Actalent; Circle Pines (MN); On-site; USD 68,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental plans

Short-term and long-term disability

Group term life insurance

HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care plans

8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays,

PTO

401k matching

Company paid events

Annual safety shoe allowance

Education assistance program

Job summary

Actalent, a global engineering and sciences services provider, is seeking a Test Technician in Circle Pines, MN. This onsite, full-time role supports testing, validation, and continuous improvement in a hands-on lab environment.

You will run test loops, calibrate equipment, record precise data, and assist engineers with prototype and production testing. The ideal candidate has extensive lab experience, strong mechanical skills, and proficiency with test instrumentation.

Qualifications

• Requires 13+ years in a test lab or R&D environment.
• Hands-on problem solving and mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to set up, operate, and troubleshoot test equipment and fluid systems.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, P&IDs, wiring diagrams and schematics.
• Experience with pressure testing, flow measurement and thermal testing.
• Proficient data collection and documentation of test results.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate test loops with pumps, heat-exchange components, valves and sensors.
• Execute test procedures and ensure correct configuration and environmental conditions.
• Monitor system behavior, record measurements, and verify data accuracy.
• Calibrate instruments and maintain traceability records.
• Assemble and adjust test fixtures for different campaigns.
• Collaborate with engineering to install components in test setups.
• Document logs, configurations and results for review.

Skills

Test lab experience

Mechanical aptitude

Equipment troubleshooting

Engineering drawings

Pressure/Flow/Thermal testing

Data accuracy

Safety awareness

Documentation

Education

Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, HVAC Technology, or similar

Tools

LabVIEW

PLC-based systems

Job description

Job Description

Test Technician plays a key role in supporting testing, validation, and continuous improvement activities within a hands-on laboratory environment. This position focuses on executing test procedures, operating specialized lab equipment, and providing engineering teams with accurate, high-quality data to support product validation and development.

Job Title: Test Technician

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate test loops, including pumps, heat-exchange components, valves, sensors, filtration systems, and fluid handling equipment.
• Execute test procedures developed by engineering, ensuring correct configuration, instrumentation placement, flow control, and environmental conditions.
• Monitor system behavior during testing, including thermal performance, pressure stability, flow characteristics, and leak detection.
• Collect and record test measurements with high accuracy using calibrated temperature, pressure, and flow instrumentation.
• Perform routine calibration checks on laboratory instrumentation and maintain traceability records.
• Validate sensor accuracy prior to testing and document any deviations or corrections.
• Ensure that data captured during testing meets precision and repeatability requirements.
• Conduct regular maintenance on pumps, hoses, valves, fittings, and measurement hardware to ensure consistent performance.
• Assemble, adjust, and reconfigure test fixtures, piping arrangements, brackets, and test hardware as needed for various test campaigns.
• Assist engineers in installing prototype or production components into test setups.
• Create accurate test logs, configuration notes, and results summaries for engineering review.
• Update standard operating procedures, work instructions, and lab checklists to reflect current practices.
• Communicate observations, anomalies, or equipment issues clearly and promptly to engineering and relevant stakeholders.
• Work closely with Mechanical, Electrical/Controls, and Systems Engineering teams to support product validation and development cycles.
• Suggest improvements to test methods, laboratory workflows, or equipment setups to enhance safety, efficiency, and data quality.

Essential Skills

• 13+ years of experience working in a test lab or R&D environment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and a practical, hands-on approach to problem solving.
• Ability to set up, operate, and troubleshoot test equipment and fluid systems.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting engineering drawings, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and schematics.
• Experience with pressure testing, flow measurement, thermal testing, and fluid flow evaluation.
• Skill in data collection, validation testing, and ensuring measurement accuracy and repeatability.
• Familiarity with leak detection methods and techniques.
• Ability to work safely and effectively with pumps, valves, hoses, fittings, and measurement hardware.
• Attention to detail when documenting test configurations, results, and laboratory procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, HVAC Technology, or a similar technical field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Understanding of basic thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics principles.
• Familiarity with instrumentation such as pressure transducers, temperature sensors, flowmeters, and related test equipment.
• Experience working with test fixtures and mechanical assemblies.
• Exposure to automation or control platforms such as LabVIEW or PLC-based systems is preferred but not required.
• Comfort working with mechanical, electrical, and fluid system components in a laboratory setting.
• Strong communication skills to clearly convey test observations and equipment issues.
• Ability to contribute ideas for improving test methods, workflows, and equipment setups.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, onsite, hands-on position based in a test laboratory environment. The role operates on a first-shift schedule with a flexible start time between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM and an end time between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM, with occasional overtime as needed. The position is hourly, and overtime is compensated at time and a half. The work involves regular interaction with laboratory test loops, pumps, valves, sensors, filtration systems, and other fluid handling and measurement equipment, requiring comfort with a technical, equipment-intensive setting and adherence to appropriate safety practices.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Circle Pines, MN.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $68000.00 - $77000.00/yr.

• Medical, vision, and dental plans
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Group term life insurance coverage
• HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care plans available
• 8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, and generous PTO policy
• 401k matching
• Company paid events
• Annual safety shoe allowance
• Education assistance program

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Circle Pines,MN.

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.