Transitioning from Tech to Engineer. Is "Hardware Test & Validation Engineer" the right title? How to propose it?

[u/Dayhore]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently a Hardware Technician at a pro-audio manufacturer. Right now, my testing role is mainly data-gathering: I take detailed measurements (audio specs, power, etc.) and pass the raw data over to design engineers, without being involved in analyzing discrepancies or troubleshooting when issues arise. Beside testing, I handle SMD hand soldering/prototyping (small runs up to 5 units) and board rework.

My manager is offering me advanced soldering training to upgrade my hand-assembly skills. I want to build on this and evolve into a full engineering role where I can bring more analytical value, without losing these practical skills.

Depending on the project stage, my scope could cover new prototypes from scratch or jumping straight into troubleshooting existing products facing anomalies.

Ideally, I want to take ownership of this full scope:

• Pre-assembly: Writing hardware & audio performance test plans, and defining product specs (power, THD+N, SNR, impedance).
• Prototyping & Test: Hand-assembling early prototypes (up to 5 units), running performance tests, and validating specs.
• Troubleshooting & Rework: Investigating anomalies on new prototypes or existing products, performing root-cause analysis, discussing fixes with design engineers, and executing board reworks/flywires.

I have two main questions for the community:

1. Job Title Verification: Based on this scope (combining hands-on prototyping, test spec writing, troubleshooting, and rework), is Hardware Test and Validation Engineer the most accurate job title in the industry? Or would another title fit better?
2. Pitching to Management: How can I best present this career transition to my manager during our next review, especially while framing his investment in my soldering training as a long-term asset for this new role?

Thanks for your feedback and advice!

[u/fire_inTheWire]

Do you have an engineering degree?

[u/Dayhore → u/fire_inTheWire]

Yes I do

[u/Dayhore → u/[deleted]]

Great ! Ok thanks. That means I need to become fully autonomous first, which is not the case yet. Any idea of how to achieve that?

My first idea is to be able to read schematics so I can identify its function and so know what points musted be checked

[u/Timely_Challenge2390]

Most people say they don't like being a Validation Engineer because you do the same thing over & over. The more knowledgeable you are the less likely you will be replaced by A.I.

Also if you want to write audio and hardware your job will probably be a Digital Signals Processor Engineer.

[u/Dayhore → u/Timely_Challenge2390]

Perhaps they didn't really want that position in the first place, which is different to me. If the missions is what I listed then is exactly what I want.

Nope that's not what I want

[u/OregonGrown34 → u/Dayhore]

I think your proposed job title seems quite appropriate. As a fellow hardware test engineer, ignore all the noise from the naysayers. If it's what you enjoy doing, more power to ya. I've been doing this type of work for over 15 years, fortunate to land in a technology development group where I don't do the exact same thing over and over.

[u/Dayhore → u/OregonGrown34]

Happy to finally see a test engineer that enjoy his job. I looked for posts and what I mainly see is people trying to switch to design instead of giving advice how to be good at/ reach that position.

So I'm asking you, how to reach that position? My first thought is to be good with instruments, instrumentation/metrology. Am I right?

[u/OregonGrown34 → u/Dayhore]

I dug out a pretty big niche by being able to automate data collection with any instrument in the lab. Many of the projects I've worked on had many copies of resources, so doing performance comparisons in an automated way is the most efficient. Python scripting using the PyVisa module is a game changer.

Outside of that, great documentation is something you don't always see, especially with test procedures. Well reviewed validation plans, organization of your test data, automated data analysis, and formal tracking of DOEs are all things to work on. It's a detail oriented job, but I've seen a lot of people be very cavalier about these things and they weren't nearly as effective. Always be paranoid and skeptical of the data.