New Product Development (NPD) Testing Technician

Location: La Vergne, TN (on-site) | Brands: Jet, Powermatic, Wilton, Edwards, Baileigh, Axiom | Reports to: Quality Manager

About the role

At JPW Industries, you will live in the space between a great idea and a great product: testing prototypes, breaking down what fails, validating what works, and handing engineers the hard data they need to get it right before it ever reaches a customer's shop. As a QA Test Technician, you will be at the center of our New Product Development lab, influencing how our woodworking and metalworking machinery and tools are designed, built, and trusted.

Responsibilities

• Conduct hands-on mechanical, electrical, and functional testing of prototypes and competitor benchmarks against design specs.
• Assemble and evaluate complex electro-mechanical products using work instructions and assembly drawings.
• Analyze test results, identify issues, and provide clear, detailed feedback to design engineers.
• Perform inspections and audits of components and assemblies against quality standards for new and existing products.
• Run incoming, in-process, and final inspections of components, materials, and assemblies.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for any defects identified.
• Record and compile test data, write test reports, and maintain inventory of components and testing materials.
• Maintain detailed documentation of procedures, results, and prototype modifications.
• Support the handoff of new products from design to manufacturing and contribute to process improvement initiatives.

First Year Goals

• Become the go-to hands in the NPD lab, running test setups independently and documenting results the engineering team relies on.
• Shape at least one product design change that makes a tool more durable, safer, or easier to build through your test reports.
• Build repeatable testing and inspection protocols that shorten the path from prototype to production.
• Flag quality risks early and drive them to resolution with engineering and quality control.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; technical or associate's degree in a technical field preferred.
• ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT) or similar quality certification preferred.
• 4+ years of hands-on product testing, quality assurance, or manufacturing support, ideally in machinery, tools, or industrial equipment.
• Proficiency reading engineering drawings and specifications, and with test equipment such as multimeters and oscilloscopes.
• Experience with Root Cause Analysis, FMEA, and Six Sigma principles.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and fabrication and assembly skills; able to operate testing equipment and machinery.
• Experience assembling and debugging PCBs and electrical equipment is a plus.
• Proficient with CAD software and Microsoft Office for reporting and documentation.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with confidence to present test status and results in cross-functional settings.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for extended periods, and work in an industrial shop environment.
• Steel toe shoes required in the testing area; occasional extended or flexible hours.

Values

How you work matters as much as what you deliver. In this role, you will embody:

• Accountability: Own your test results and stand behind the data you report.
• Problem Solving & Innovation: Dig for root cause and suggest better materials, designs, and processes.
• Communication & Integrity: Document honestly and report exactly what the testing shows, good or bad.
• Decision Making: Keep the end user's safety and experience in mind on every call.
• Agility & Resilience: Balance multiple projects and shifting priorities without losing rigor.
• Collaboration & Inclusion: Partner closely with engineering, product, and quality to get products right.

Benefits

• Competitive pay + annual bonuses
• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and telehealth from Day 1
• Retirement plans & employer contributions
• Generous PTO + paid holidays
• Career development & learning opportunities
• Team member appreciation events