Test engineer
Also known as: agricultural equipment test engineer
About this occupation
Test engineers plan and perform detailed quality tests during various phases of the design process to make sure that the systems are properly installed and function correctly. They analyse the data collected during tests and produce reports. They are also responsible for the safety of the test operations.
Essential skills and knowledge
- engineering processes
- manufacturing processes
- production processes
- perform scientific research
- test hardware
- adjust engineering designs
- engineering principles
- analyse test data
- industrial engineering
- analyse scientific data
- approve engineering design
- use technical drawing software
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Civil Engineers (O*NET 17-2051.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
- Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
- Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
- Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
- Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools.
- Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Mathematics, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving
US median pay: US$100,840 a year (2025), 367,840 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignExtremely important (4.7)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyExtremely important (4.7)
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionExtremely important (4.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (3.7)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.6)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Transportation Engineers
- Construction Managers
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Construction and Building Inspectors
- Environmental Engineers
- Architectural and Civil Drafters
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
- Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.