As a QA Engineer / Manufacturing Test Engineer II, your day-to-day responsibilities will keep you actively engaged with both development teams and physical assembly operations. You are the ultimate gatekeeper of quality, ensuring that design intent is perfectly executed on the production floor.

Your primary duty is to develop, implement, and maintain manufacturing test processes for new and existing products. This involves writing comprehensive test plans, designing custom electrical and mechanical test fixtures, and writing the software scripts that run those tests. You will work closely with design engineers during the prototyping phase to ensure that new products are designed with testability in mind.

Additionally, you will support the manufacturing plants in Schaumburg, IL and Chicago, IL. When a test system goes down or a product fails on the line, you will lead the root-cause investigation. You will analyze test yield data to identify systemic manufacturing defects, work with suppliers to resolve component issues, and continuously refine test limits to maximize production efficiency while maintaining strict quality standards.

To be competitive for this position, candidates must possess a strong foundation in engineering principles, combined with practical, hands-on experience in hardware testing.

• Must-have skills – Strong understanding of electro-mechanical systems, experience with firmware validation, proficiency in test automation software (such as LabVIEW, Python, or C++), and familiarity with standard laboratory equipment (oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies).
• Nice-to-have skills – Experience working in a medium-to-high volume manufacturing environment, knowledge of National Instruments hardware platforms, familiarity with PLC programming, and experience with CAD software for simple fixture design.

In terms of experience, candidates typically need a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field, along with 2 to 5 years of hands-on experience in a test engineering or manufacturing QA role. Strong soft skills, particularly the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical factory staff, are highly valued.

Q: Where are these roles located, and is remote work an option? A: These positions are primarily located in Schaumburg, IL and Chicago, IL, close to the primary manufacturing and design centers. Because the role requires hands-on work with physical test benches, prototypes, and factory assembly lines, these roles are typically on-site or hybrid, rather than fully remote.

Q: How technical is the interview process? A: The process is moderately technical but highly practical. Rather than asking abstract coding puzzles, interviewers focus on real-world engineering scenarios, such as how you would design a specific test bench, troubleshoot a firmware communication issue, or analyze manufacturing test data.

Q: What is the typical timeline from application to offer? A: The process is known for being exceptionally fast and professionally managed. Many candidates complete the entire process—from the initial HR screen to the final decision—within two weeks.

Q: What distinguishes a successful candidate in this role? A: The most successful candidates are those who can bridge the gap between different engineering disciplines. Being comfortable discussing mechanical structures, electrical circuits, and firmware logic in the same conversation makes you highly valuable to the team.

To maximize your chances of success, keep these practical, insider tips in mind as you prepare for your interviews at Life Fitness:

• Connect hardware to software: When describing your past projects, always explain how the physical components interacted with the software or firmware. Show that you understand the system as a whole, not just isolated parts.
• Emphasize manufacturing realities: Always frame your test designs with the assembly line in mind. Mention how you ensure test fixtures are durable, easy for operators to use, and optimized for fast cycle times.

• Highlight root-cause methodologies: Use structured frameworks like 5-Whys or Fishbone diagrams when explaining how you solve complex quality issues. This demonstrates disciplined engineering thinking.
• Show passion for the product: Life Fitness and Hammer Strength are proud of their heritage in physical fitness and biomechanics. Expressing genuine interest in fitness technology and product durability can set you apart from other technically qualified candidates.

A QA Engineer / Manufacturing Test Engineer II career at Life Fitness and Hammer Strength is an exceptional opportunity for engineers who love working at the intersection of physical hardware and digital innovation. By ensuring the reliability of industry-leading fitness equipment, you play a direct role in helping people live healthier, more active lives. The work is fast-paced, hands-on, and highly collaborative.

As you prepare, focus on consolidating your stories around test bench design, firmware validation, and manufacturing troubleshooting. Practice structuring your answers using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your explanations concise and impactful. With a clear understanding of their product ecosystem and a solid grasp of your own technical achievements, you are well-positioned to succeed.

The salary range for this position is $81,000 -$117,400 USD, depending on experience, location, and specific technical skills. When discussing compensation, highlight your unique ability to handle both hardware and software testing, as this dual-capability is highly valued and justifies placement at the higher end of the range. For more detailed interview insights and preparation resources, you can explore additional community-contributed experiences on Dataford. Good luck with your preparation!