Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in California

Quality Assurance Lead jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated in technology, life sciences, medical devices, aerospace, and consumer electronics across the full seniority range from associate QA lead through senior and principal levels. The highest hiring volume is in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific, Apple, and Northrop Grumman maintain major operations and ongoing QA needs. The most in-demand specialties are software quality assurance, regulatory compliance QA for FDA-regulated products, and automated testing. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Quality Assurance Lead Jobs

Overview

Open roles298+
Top employerGilead Sciences
Top citySan Diego, CA
Cities hiring129
Work type63% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 298+ Quality Assurance Lead jobs

Solheim Senior Community
Interim Quality Assurance Registered Nurse
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Solheim Senior Community
New 22h ago
Interim Quality Assurance Registered Nurse
Solheim Senior Community
Los Angeles, California
Program Management
Project Management
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
$54 - $58/hr
CPR Certification
51-200

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Sugar Foods Corporation
Quality Assurance Project Coordinator
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Sugar Foods Corporation
New 23h ago
Quality Assurance Project Coordinator
Sugar Foods Corporation
Commerce, California
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$24 - $29/hr
Damaged goods handling
501-1,000

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Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
Clinical Quality Assurance Specialist II
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Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
Added 1d ago
Clinical Quality Assurance Specialist II
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
Los Angeles, California
Compliance & Legal
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Healthcare Administration
Compliance & Risk
$80k - $95k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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iRhythm Technologies
Senior Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Engineering Lead
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iRhythm Technologies
Added 1d ago
Senior Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Engineering Lead
iRhythm Technologies
San Francisco, California
Software Engineering
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Product & Program Management
Technical Program Management
$138k - $180k/yr
Remote (US)
1,001-5,000

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Perdue
Food Safety & Quality Assurance Technician
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Perdue
Added 1d ago
Food Safety & Quality Assurance Technician
Perdue
Petaluma, California
Business Strategy
Compliance & Risk
Consulting & Professional Services
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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See All 298+ Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in California

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Quality Assurance Lead Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Diego
29 jobs
Los Angeles
20 jobs
Sunnyvale
11 jobs
San Francisco
11 jobs
Irvine
9 jobs
San Jose
9 jobs
Torrance
7 jobs
San Leandro
7 jobs
Modesto
5 jobs

Quality Assurance Lead Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences6 open roles
Pacific Health
Pacific Health4 open roles
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals4 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software13
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals9
  • Staffing & Recruiting6
  • Medical Devices4
  • Aerospace & Defense4

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in quality assurance lead jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, life sciences, or a related technical field
  • Minimum three to five years of quality assurance experience with demonstrated lead or supervisory responsibility
  • Proficiency in QA methodologies including JIRA, Selenium, or similar test management and automation tools
  • Experience with FDA 21 CFR Part 820 or ISO 13485 for roles in California's medical device and life sciences sector
  • Strong knowledge of SDLC, Agile, or Scrum frameworks in software or hardware product development environments
  • ASQ Certified Quality Engineer or Certified Quality Auditor credential preferred by California technology and manufacturing employers

Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a quality assurance lead in California?

The most direct path in California is to build foundational QA experience in a regulated industry such as medical devices, aerospace, or software, then move into a lead role by demonstrating ownership of test cycles and team mentorship. California does not require a state-issued license for most QA lead roles, but candidates who earn an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer or Certified Quality Auditor credential consistently stand out with hiring managers across the state's technology and life sciences employers.

How much do quality assurance leads make in California?

Quality assurance leads 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 quality assurance leads in California?

Employers hiring quality assurance leads in California right now include Gilead Sciences, Pacific Health, and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's dense concentration of medical device manufacturers in San Diego and major tech firms in the Bay Area means demand stays active across a wide range of industries throughout the year.

Which California cities have the most quality assurance lead jobs?

The California cities with the most quality assurance lead openings are San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sunnyvale. The Bay Area leads because of its high concentration of software and semiconductor companies, San Diego is driven by its large medical device and biotech cluster, and Los Angeles pulls volume from aerospace, entertainment technology, and consumer electronics firms headquartered there.

Are there remote quality assurance lead jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields, because a significant portion of QA lead work in California is software-focused and can be done remotely. About 37% of quality assurance lead openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the state's tech-heavy employer mix. The most remote-friendly sub-areas are automated testing, test strategy, and QA process management, while roles tied to physical products or manufacturing lines typically require on-site presence.

How can I get hired as a quality assurance lead in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is to start as a QA analyst, QA engineer, or software tester at a California tech or life sciences company and pursue a lead role after demonstrating ownership of a testing workstream. Large California employers in the Bay Area and San Diego often post associate QA or junior QA openings that build directly toward lead eligibility. Earning an ASQ certification or completing a CQAP or CSTE credential strengthens your profile considerably, and lateral moves from roles like business analyst or technical support are common entry points in smaller California firms.

Where can I find and apply to quality assurance lead jobs in California?

You can find and apply to quality assurance lead jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 298+ Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Quality Assurance Lead Jobs