Senior Test Automation Engineer Jobs in California
Senior Test Automation Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in software, cloud infrastructure, fintech, and enterprise SaaS across one of the deepest technology labor markets anywhere. The heaviest hiring is in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Apple, Salesforce, and Qualcomm maintain large engineering organizations with dedicated quality engineering teams. The most in-demand specialties are API and backend automation, CI/CD pipeline integration, and performance testing for mobile and cloud-native applications. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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This role will focus on evaluating a wide range of products with emphasis on the product and supplier development to improve quality.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead development, assembly, procurement or modification of existing and new test fixtures and equipment.
- Provide technical support in new product design, existing products and production technique improvements.
- Review and modify existing Test Methods to meet industry standards (ANSI, SAE, MIL, UL, CSA, ETL Etc.,) and/or product usage model requirements.
- Performing failure/root cause and returns analysis on products to sustain the long term business growth of the company by providing high value and reliable products to our customers. This involves projects from low customer rated items list (CAPA projects), QA/Complaint handling department, Returns Analysis items (SCARs) and other sources where product complaints might arise.
- Perform market research to identify equivalent market comps. Order the market comps and perform benchmark testing of HFT products against the market comps to understand the disparity in performance, features and durability of the products.
- Identifying root causes on why products are not meeting HFT’s standards or Customer’s expectations and provide viable solutions to improve the product by minimal to no cost additions.
- Responsible for set up, assembly of items, monitoring & testing of product and cleanup.
- Responsible for reviewing manuals, quick start guides, packaging, labels and other pertinent literature in order to better understand the complaint/issue at hand and reach viable solutions.
- Evaluate and validate the fixes/solutions on improved samples received.
- Write clear evaluation and corrective action reports (CAPA reports, Platypus reports or SCAR reports as needed) with ample pictures that effectively explain the testing done, equipment used, samples and market comps tested, performance data and conclusions that can clearly understood by all levels of the organization and the global supply base.
- Review and release test reports as required by the manager.
- Collaborate with Testing Supervisors in both US and Oversees labs and prepare engineering qualification tests procedures & associated data sheets.
- Collaborate with Testing Supervisors and support the lab in setting up testing equipment and ensuring that all instrumentation is calibrated.
- Assist the QA leadership in procuring essential testing equipment and instrumentation for both US and Oversees labs.
- Create Product Specification Sheets and Product Master Indices (PMIs) and ensure that they are promptly filled and complied in the database.
- Insure timeliness, clarity and accuracy of all technical documentation and correspondence.
- Work with a wide range of equipment including electronic testing equipment, small motor dynamometer, AC/DC load banks, Data acquisition systems, environmental chambers, hardness testers, and other lab tools.
- Taking an active role on troubleshooting and analyzing various types of products
- Excellent written and oral communication skills combined with strong organizational ability.
Scope
- Staff supervision and development: No
The anticipated salary range for this position is $82,700-$124,000 depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits to Associates (and their families) such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability. Eligible Associates are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Associates will accrue paid time off up to 236 hours per year (inclusive of PTO, floating holidays, and paid holidays). Paid sick time up to 80 hours per year unless otherwise required by law.
Requirements
Education
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering from an accredited University.
Skills
- Proficient in the use of 2D and 3D CAD software, able to design equipment and produce drawings to send to external suppliers.
- Proficient in PLC and or HMI applications, interfaces, or embedded controls
- Experience with integration – using communication protocols such as Modbus, USB, Ethernet, serial connections.
- Experience with fixture design, fabrication, and machine design.
- For Mechanical Engineering background: Strong understanding of Mechanical Design, Strength of Materials, Thermodynamics.
- For Electrical Engineering Background: Strong understanding of Electric motor theory, basic electrical and electronic circuitry and components such as resisters, capacitors, inductors, transformers, relays, transistors, diodes, MOSFETs etc.,
- Knowledge in UL, CSA and ETL standards.
- Proficient in MS Office suite (mainly Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Project).
Physical Requirements
General office environment requiring ability to:
- Stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time.
- Speak and listen to others in person and over the phone and video conferencing.
- Use keyboard and read from computer screen and reports.
- The ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
Safety
- Must be able to perform this job safely in accordance with standard operating procedures and good manufacturing practices, without endangering the health or safety of self or others.
About Harbor Freight Tools
Founded in 1977, we are a $10 billion national tool retailer with the energy, enthusiasm, and growth mindset of a Championship Team. With more than 1,600 stores across 48 states, we're continuing to grow and open new locations every month. We offer our customers more than 6,000 tools and accessories, from hand tools and generators to air and power tools, shop equipment, and automotive tools. By delivering quality and value to our customers, we've built a culture where Associates can learn, grow, and do meaningful work every day.
Engineer II, Product Dev & Test (Fixture, Controls & Test Automation) | Harbor Freight Tools
See All 72 Senior Test Automation Engineer Jobs in California
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Test Automation Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software13
- Aerospace & Defense2
- Electronics & Hardware2
- Manufacturing1
- Science & Research1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior test automation engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Five or more years of hands-on experience building and maintaining automated test frameworks
- Proficiency with automation tools such as Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, or Appium
- Experience integrating test suites into CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or CircleCI
- Strong programming skills in Python, Java, or JavaScript for writing maintainable test code
- Familiarity with Agile or Scrum development practices and cross-functional team collaboration
Senior Test Automation Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior test automation engineer in California?
The concrete path starts with a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, followed by several years building automated test infrastructure in a professional setting. California does not require a state-issued license for this role, so advancement depends on demonstrating hands-on expertise with frameworks like Selenium or Playwright, proficiency in at least one scripting language, and experience shipping automation at scale inside Agile teams. Certifications from the International Software Testing Qualifications Board can strengthen a candidate's profile.
How much do senior test automation engineers make in California?
Senior test automation 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 senior test automation engineers in California?
Employers hiring senior test automation engineers in California right now include Tesla, Apple, and TikTok, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's concentration of enterprise software, semiconductor, and cloud infrastructure companies means demand for senior-level automation talent stays consistently strong across both startups and large established organizations.
Which California cities have the most senior test automation engineer jobs?
San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco account for the most senior test automation engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its dense concentration of enterprise software and cloud companies, while Los Angeles reflects growth in streaming, ad-tech, and fintech engineering, and San Diego draws volume from its established semiconductor and defense technology sector anchored by companies like Qualcomm and Northrop Grumman.
Are there remote senior test automation engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most engineering specialties. About 33% of senior test automation engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the desk-based, tools-driven nature of the work. The most fully remote opportunities tend to be in API and backend test automation, where engineers can run pipelines and review results entirely without physical access to hardware or on-site infrastructure.
How can I get hired as a senior test automation engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into test automation from a manual QA role, which large California software employers such as those in the Bay Area's SaaS ecosystem hire for at scale. Building a public portfolio of automation projects using Selenium, Playwright, or Pytest on GitHub demonstrates practical ability when a resume is thin. Associate QA engineer and junior SDET roles at mid-size California companies often serve as the stepping stone, and completing an ISTQB Foundation certificate gives candidates a recognized credential to offset limited professional experience.
Where can I find and apply to senior test automation engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior test automation engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and hiring locations. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 72 Senior Test Automation Engineer Jobs in California
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