Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in California
Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, semiconductor, and consumer technology sectors with demand ranging from mid-level contributors through principal and staff engineers. The largest hiring concentrations are in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where companies like Google, Apple, and Qualcomm maintain deep SDET workforces. The most sought-after specializations include automation framework architecture, CI/CD pipeline quality, and AI/ML model testing. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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At NVIDIA, we are at the forefront of technological innovation, pushing the boundaries of AI and accelerated computing. Our team in Santa Clara, CA is looking for a Senior Software Engineer in Test to join us in this exciting journey. This is a ground breaking opportunity to work with powerful technology, collaborate with a world-class team, and make a significant impact in the industry. If you are passionate about AI and quality assurance, and thrive in a dynamic environment, this role is perfect for you!
What you'll be doing:
- Accomplishing test cases to validate NVIDIA enterprise offerings, such as NIM, NeMo, and BioNeMo.
- Crafting, implementing, and maintaining automated test cases and supporting automation infrastructure.
- Collaborating with development teams to triage issues, perform root cause analysis, verify fixes, define additional tests, and improve test plans.
- Investigating and bringing to bear AI capabilities to accelerate the Quality Assurance (QA) process.
What we need to see:
- MS or PhD degree in computer science or relevant field, or equivalent experience.
- At least 5+ years of professional experience in software testing.
- Proficiency in oral and written English.
- Comfort working with Linux OS.
- Strong skills in shell and Python programming.
- Strong knowledge of QA principles and background in software testing.
- Experience using AI development tools for crafting test plans, developing test cases, and automating test cases.
- Excellent problem-solving abilities.
- Strong interpersonal skills, quick learning ability, proactive approach, innovation, and dedication.
- Self-motivation and a passion for learning new hardcore technology.
- Knowledge in LLM and AI models is a plus.
Ways to stand out from the crowd:
- Experience working with NVIDIA GPU hardware.
- Background in parallel programming.
- Experience with virtualization technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, and Openstack.
NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers. We have some of the most brilliant people on the planet working for us. If you're creative and autonomous, we want to hear from you!
Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 140,000 USD - 224,250 USD for Level 3, and 168,000 USD - 270,250 USD for Level 4. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.
Applications for this job will be accepted at least until June 14, 2026. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.
NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.
See All 21 Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in California
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Find JobsSenior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- PlayStation9

- NVIDIA3

- Ellipsis Health2

- TikTok2

- BD1

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software15
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
- Automotive1
- Education1
- Manufacturing1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior software development engineer in test jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Five or more years of software development engineering in test or equivalent quality engineering experience
- Proficiency in at least one major programming language such as Python, Java, or C++
- Demonstrated experience designing and maintaining automated test frameworks at scale
- Familiarity with CI/CD tools and cloud platforms including AWS, GCP, or Azure
- Strong understanding of distributed systems, microservices architecture, and API testing methodologies
Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior software development engineer in test in California?
The path to a senior software development engineer in test role in California runs through a computer science or software engineering degree followed by several years of hands-on test automation and quality engineering experience. California does not require a state-issued license for this role. Most engineers advance by deepening expertise in automation frameworks, contributing to open-source testing tools, and earning industry certifications such as ISTQB Advanced Level, which California-based employers at the enterprise level increasingly recognize.
How much do senior software development engineer in tests make in California?
Senior software development engineer in tests 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 senior software development engineer in tests in California?
Employers hiring senior software development engineer in tests in California right now include PlayStation, NVIDIA, and Ellipsis Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of major cloud, semiconductor, and consumer tech headquarters means hiring activity stays consistent across economic cycles, particularly in the Bay Area and San Diego corridors.
Which California cities have the most senior software development engineer in test jobs?
The California cities with the most senior software development engineer in test openings are San Francisco, San Mateo, and San Diego. The Bay Area leads because of its dense cluster of enterprise software and cloud companies, while San Diego draws heavily from semiconductor and defense technology employers, and Los Angeles reflects growth in streaming, gaming, and fintech quality engineering teams.
Are there remote senior software development engineer in test jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most engineering disciplines, since the work centers on code, automated pipelines, and testing environments that run entirely in the cloud. About 10% of senior software development engineer in test openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how deeply distributed engineering culture is across California tech companies. Roles focused on automation framework development and CI/CD integration are the most consistently remote.
How can I get hired as a senior software development engineer in test in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an associate software engineer or junior QA engineer role at a California-based technology company, then building automation skills on the job. Large California employers including Apple, Salesforce, and Intel run structured new-grad programs that place candidates without industry experience into quality engineering rotations. Contributing to open-source test frameworks, completing an ISTQB Foundation certification, and building a portfolio of automation projects on GitHub are the credentials California hiring managers cite most when evaluating early-career candidates.
Where can I find and apply to senior software development engineer in test jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior software development engineer in test jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across the Bay Area, San Diego, Los Angeles, and other hiring centers. Find the roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 21 Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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