QA Engineer Jobs in California
QA Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in technology, enterprise software, gaming, biotechnology, and consumer electronics from entry-level testers through senior and staff engineers. The largest hiring centers are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where employers like Apple, Google, and Qualcomm maintain substantial engineering teams and consistently recruit qa engineers across specializations. Test automation, performance testing, and API and mobile QA are the most in-demand areas across California's tech corridor. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 1,269+ QA Engineer jobs
INTRODUCTION
Seeking a QA Engineer with 2-7 years of experience in software testing, automation, and Unix fundamentals to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will design, execute, and manage test plans to ensure application stability, performance, and usability, with a focus on UI automation for iOS/macOS platforms.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Testing and Debugging:
- Design test plans based on application requirements to meet KPi deliveries.
- Perform thorough testing to ensure application stability and usability.
- Debug and identify issues across various devices and OS versions.
- Participate on design and develop test automation frameworks.
- Work closely with product managers, designers, and backend developers to translate requirements into functional, high-quality applications.
- Contribute on test plans reviews with development to validate functionalities and new features.
- Suggest and implement improvements for enhancing user experience and application functionality.
Skills:
- Proven experience as a Quality Assurance Engineer with a strong background in software testing and automation.
- Strong knowledge of Unix fundamentals for setting up and maintaining test environments.
- Experience with UI automation testing, particularly on iOS and macOS platforms.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Experience with test management and defect tracking tools.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Python for test automation as preferred.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiarity with mobile and web application testing tools and frameworks.
- Familiarity with continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
LOCATION
Location: Cupertino, CA (Onsite Full-Time)
DURATION
Duration: 12-24+ months
SALARY
Salary: $45/hr - $60/hr (DOE)
INTRODUCTION
Seeking a QA Engineer with 2-7 years of experience in software testing, automation, and Unix fundamentals to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will design, execute, and manage test plans to ensure application stability, performance, and usability, with a focus on UI automation for iOS/macOS platforms.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Testing and Debugging:
- Design test plans based on application requirements to meet KPi deliveries.
- Perform thorough testing to ensure application stability and usability.
- Debug and identify issues across various devices and OS versions.
- Participate on design and develop test automation frameworks.
- Work closely with product managers, designers, and backend developers to translate requirements into functional, high-quality applications.
- Contribute on test plans reviews with development to validate functionalities and new features.
- Suggest and implement improvements for enhancing user experience and application functionality.
Skills:
- Proven experience as a Quality Assurance Engineer with a strong background in software testing and automation.
- Strong knowledge of Unix fundamentals for setting up and maintaining test environments.
- Experience with UI automation testing, particularly on iOS and macOS platforms.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Experience with test management and defect tracking tools.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Python for test automation as preferred.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiarity with mobile and web application testing tools and frameworks.
- Familiarity with continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
LOCATION
Location: Cupertino, CA (Onsite Full-Time)
DURATION
Duration: 12-24+ months
SALARY
Salary: $45/hr - $60/hr (DOE)
See All 1,269+ QA Engineer Jobs in California
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Find QA Engineer JobsQA Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
QA Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple221
- NVIDIA52
- PlayStation27
- Zoox24
- Palo Alto Networks18
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software476
- Electronics & Hardware403
- Consulting & Professional Services66
- Manufacturing63
- Medical Devices47
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in QA engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Hands-on experience with test automation frameworks such as Selenium, Cypress, or Playwright
- Proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language, commonly Python, Java, or JavaScript
- Experience writing and executing test plans, test cases, and defect reports in Agile or Scrum environments
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and tools such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or CircleCI
- Knowledge of API testing using tools like Postman or REST-assured alongside basic SQL querying skills
QA Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a qa engineer in California?
QA engineering in California has no state-issued license or board registration requirement, so the path centers on education and demonstrated technical skill. Most California employers expect at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or information systems, though a strong portfolio of automation projects or relevant bootcamp credentials can substitute at some companies. Earning a vendor-neutral certification such as ISTQB Foundation, which is widely recognized by California tech employers, strengthens early-career applications considerably.
How much do QA engineers make in California?
QA engineers in California earn a median of about $128,740 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $65,890 for the lowest 10% to over $201,070 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire qa engineers in California?
Employers hiring qa engineers in California right now include Apple, NVIDIA, and PlayStation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, enterprise software companies, and medical device firms means qa engineer openings appear across a broad mix of industries and company sizes throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most qa engineer jobs?
Santa Clara, San Jose, and Cupertino account for the most qa engineer openings in California. The Bay Area dominates because of its density of technology and software headquarters, while Los Angeles draws volume from gaming studios, entertainment technology, and healthtech firms, and San Diego's openings are largely driven by Qualcomm, biotech companies, and defense contractors that all maintain substantial QA functions.
Are there remote qa engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 14% of qa engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves test scripts, automation pipelines, and ticket management rather than physical hardware. Fully remote roles are most common for web, mobile, and enterprise software QA, while hardware validation and medical device testing positions typically require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a qa engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a junior QA analyst or associate software tester role at a mid-size California technology company, where teams are more likely to mentor candidates without deep industry history. Large California employers including Salesforce and several Bay Area and Los Angeles gaming studios run rotational or associate engineering programs that accept candidates from adjacent roles such as technical support specialist or manual tester. Building a public GitHub portfolio with automated test suites and earning the ISTQB Foundation certification both give California hiring managers concrete evidence of readiness when a resume is otherwise thin.
Where can I find and apply to qa engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to qa engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level and location preference, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 1,269+ QA Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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