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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Overview

Open roles72
Top employerTesla
Top citySan Diego, CA
Cities hiring30
Work type67% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 72+ Senior Test Automation Engineer jobs

Harbor Freight Tools
Engineer II, Product Dev & Test (Fixture, Controls & Test Automation)
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Harbor Freight Tools
Added 1d ago
Engineer II, Product Dev & Test (Fixture, Controls & Test Automation)
Harbor Freight Tools
Camarillo, California
Product Management
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
$83k - $124k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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Figure
Test Automation Engineer
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Figure
Added 2d ago
Test Automation Engineer
Figure
San Jose, California
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Software Engineering
$130k - $250k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

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Philips
Intern - System Test Automation Engineer – San Diego, CA – Summer 2027
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Philips
Added 2d ago
Intern - System Test Automation Engineer – San Diego, CA – Summer 2027
Philips
San Diego, California
Backend Engineering
Software Engineering
$29 - $46/hr
Bachelor of Science
5,001-10,000

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Ford Motor Company
Staff Audio Test Automation Engineer
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Ford Motor Company
Added 2d ago
Staff Audio Test Automation Engineer
Ford Motor Company
Palo Alto, California
Automation QA
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Specialized Engineering
$150k - $284k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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Wipro
Automation and Tooling - System Level Test Engineer
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Wipro
Added 2d ago
Automation and Tooling - System Level Test Engineer
Wipro
Mountain View, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Technical Program Management
$60k - $140k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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See All 72 Senior Test Automation Engineer Jobs in California

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Senior Test Automation Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Diego
8 jobs
San Jose
6 jobs
San Francisco
6 jobs
Irvine
5 jobs
Palo Alto
5 jobs
Long Beach
5 jobs
Milpitas
4 jobs
Mountain View
4 jobs
Sunnyvale
3 jobs

Senior Test Automation Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

Tesla
Tesla3 open roles
Apple
Apple2 open roles
TikTok
TikTok2 open roles

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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