QA Lead Jobs in California
QA Lead jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the technology, biotech, and enterprise software sectors with openings from team lead to senior director of quality. The heaviest hiring happens in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where established employers like Apple, Salesforce, and Qualcomm consistently need qa leads to own testing strategy, mentor QA engineers, and drive release quality. The most in-demand specializations include automation QA leadership, mobile and embedded QA, and regulatory compliance testing for medical device and life sciences companies. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Details
Career area
Facility
Position Type
Full Time
Date Posted
06/11/2026
Location
Madera, CA 93636, United States
Job ID
JOB_POSTING-3-1878
Job Summary:
The SPD Technician Quality Assurance Lead is accountable for precepting and overseeing the training of new hires and preceptors, re-evaluation, and documentation in collaboration with the SPD Educator. This position is responsible for the daily audits of sterilization and cleaning equipment to meet requirements (i.e. for CDPH and The Joint Commission), along with collaboration on process improvement with SPD Leadership. This person will perform audits of instrumentation, medical devices, and processes. The role includes performing audits on patient care equipment in CED in collaboration with the CED Supervisor. The incumbent will print various reports in an instrument tracking system. This person will serve as a role model in Sterile Processing standards and regulations for staff.
Qualifications:
Education
- High School Diploma/G.E.D. (required)
Licenses and Certifications
- CIS - Certified Instrument Specialist - HSPA - Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (required)
- CBSPDT - Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician - Certified Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution (required) Or
- CRCST - Certified Registered Central Service Technician - HSPA - Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (required)
Work Experience
- Minimum five (5) years Progressively responsible experience, which includes specialty instrumentation, devices, and equipment. (required)
Skills and Abilities
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Computer Skills Demonstrates proficiency in computer skills.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Compensation Range:
$26.65 - $37.90
Workshift:
Varied (United States of America)
Position Exempt:
No
FTE %:
100
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Daily Hours:
8
Have Questions?
Call Recruitment Services at 559-353-7071 or email us at recruiting@valleychildrens.org
Disclaimer: Final compensation will be dependent upon skills and experience.
See All 58 QA Lead Jobs in California
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Find QA Lead JobsQA Lead Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
QA Lead Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple4

- Cisco3

- Joby Aviation2

- Salesforce2

- Tenstorrent2

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software20
- Electronics & Hardware13
- Consulting & Professional Services5
- Automotive3
- Aerospace & Defense2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in QA lead jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related technical field
- Proven experience leading QA teams and owning end-to-end test strategy
- Hands-on proficiency with automation frameworks such as Selenium, Cypress, or Appium
- Experience with Agile and CI/CD workflows in a collaborative engineering environment
- ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager or equivalent certification preferred by many California employers
- Familiarity with California-relevant regulatory standards such as FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for life sciences roles
QA Lead Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a qa lead in California?
Most qa leads in California start as QA engineers or software testers and move into a lead role after demonstrating ownership over test strategy and mentoring peers. California employers, especially in tech and biotech, look for a combination of automation skills, Agile experience, and an ISTQB certification such as the Advanced Level Test Manager. Life sciences and medical device companies in San Diego and the Bay Area additionally expect familiarity with FDA validation and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance before promoting into a lead position.
Which companies hire qa leads in California?
Employers hiring qa leads in California right now include Apple, Cisco, and Joby Aviation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of enterprise software, semiconductor, and regulated biotech companies means qa lead demand stays consistent across both startup and Fortune 500 environments throughout the year.
Which California cities have the most qa lead jobs?
The cities with the most qa lead openings in California are San Francisco, San Jose, and Santa Clara. The Bay Area and Los Angeles dominate because of their dense clusters of technology headquarters and enterprise software firms, while San Diego draws steady qa lead demand from its large biotech and defense contractor presence, which keeps hiring active even when broader tech hiring slows.
Are there remote qa lead jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 28% of qa lead openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on test planning, code review, and tool configuration rather than physical lab access. The most consistently remote qa lead roles are in automation, API testing, and enterprise software, while hardware, embedded systems, and regulated medical device positions are more likely to require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a qa lead in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving from a QA engineer or SDET role into a lead position by taking on mentoring responsibilities and owning a test plan end to end before the formal title changes. Large California employers like Salesforce, Apple, and Kaiser Permanente run associate and rotation programs that place junior testers onto QA teams where informal leadership opportunities appear quickly. Building an automation portfolio using open-source projects, earning the ISTQB Foundation certificate, and applying to coordinator or senior QA engineer roles at mid-size Bay Area or LA tech companies gives candidates a competitive edge without prior leadership titles.
Where can I find and apply to qa lead jobs in California?
You can find and apply to qa lead jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across technology, biotech, and enterprise software companies. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 58 QA Lead Jobs in California
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