Senior Test Engineer Jobs in California
Senior Test Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor fabrication, consumer electronics, and enterprise software across a job market that runs from entry-level quality assurance roles through senior and staff-level positions. The largest hiring centers are San Jose, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers such as Northrop Grumman, Qualcomm, and Apple maintain substantial engineering workforces with ongoing test engineering needs. The most in-demand specialties are hardware-in-the-loop testing, RF and mixed-signal verification, and automated test framework development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About us
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
- Review and interpret product specifications and technical documentation for fiber optic modules.
- Design, develop, and implement comprehensive test schemes for new and existing products.
- Perform calibration, functional testing, and validation of fiber optic modules and subsystems.
- Analyze test data to assess product performance, identify trends, and flag deviations.
- Document testing procedures, setups, and results with a high level of accuracy and clarity.
- Generate thorough test reports to support engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams.
Education & Experience
- BS, MS or PhD in optics, physics, engineering or related technical fields.
- Related industrial experience will be a plus.
Skills & Other Requirements
- Having experience with related test instruments and communication interfaces.
- Ability to use some programming languages (Python, Visual Basic, LabView, etc.)
- Ability to work with little supervision and to manage assigned tasks and projects effectively.
- Ability to read, learn and analyze complex test methods, search for solutions in the public domain as well as create/develop innovative solutions.
- Ability to leverage knowledge and experience and apply them to solve problems resourcefully.
- Effectively manages multiple priorities and projects.
- Ability to teach and train others within work group.
- Excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
Working Conditions
Good office working conditions. Sometime, may need to work in a Class 10,000 clean-room environment, wearing smock with mask and gloves.
Physical Requirements
Able to move light equipment and tooling (<25lbs) as needed when setting up manufacturing stations.
Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
JOB INFO
Job Identification: 2012909
Posting Date: 06/11/2026, 11:36 AM
Degree Level: Bachelor's Degree
Job Schedule: Full time
Locations: 5100 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, US (On-site)
Pay Scale: $80,500 - $131,813 per year
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.
About us
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
- Review and interpret product specifications and technical documentation for fiber optic modules.
- Design, develop, and implement comprehensive test schemes for new and existing products.
- Perform calibration, functional testing, and validation of fiber optic modules and subsystems.
- Analyze test data to assess product performance, identify trends, and flag deviations.
- Document testing procedures, setups, and results with a high level of accuracy and clarity.
- Generate thorough test reports to support engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams.
Education & Experience
- BS, MS or PhD in optics, physics, engineering or related technical fields.
- Related industrial experience will be a plus.
Skills & Other Requirements
- Having experience with related test instruments and communication interfaces.
- Ability to use some programming languages (Python, Visual Basic, LabView, etc.)
- Ability to work with little supervision and to manage assigned tasks and projects effectively.
- Ability to read, learn and analyze complex test methods, search for solutions in the public domain as well as create/develop innovative solutions.
- Ability to leverage knowledge and experience and apply them to solve problems resourcefully.
- Effectively manages multiple priorities and projects.
- Ability to teach and train others within work group.
- Excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
Working Conditions
Good office working conditions. Sometime, may need to work in a Class 10,000 clean-room environment, wearing smock with mask and gloves.
Physical Requirements
Able to move light equipment and tooling (<25lbs) as needed when setting up manufacturing stations.
Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
JOB INFO
Job Identification: 2012909
Posting Date: 06/11/2026, 11:36 AM
Degree Level: Bachelor's Degree
Job Schedule: Full time
Locations: 5100 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, US (On-site)
Pay Scale: $80,500 - $131,813 per year
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.
See All 122+ Senior Test Engineer Jobs in California
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Find Senior Test Engineer JobsSenior Test Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Test Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- NVIDIA12
- PlayStation9
- Coherent5
- PsiQuantum5
- AEVA4
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software67
- Electronics & Hardware23
- Manufacturing13
- Aerospace & Defense9
- Automotive8
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior test engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Five or more years of experience developing and executing test plans for hardware or embedded systems
- Proficiency with automated test frameworks such as pytest, NI TestStand, or LabVIEW
- Experience with RF, analog, or mixed-signal test equipment including oscilloscopes and signal analyzers
- Demonstrated ability to write and review detailed test specifications and failure analysis reports
- Familiarity with version control systems and defect tracking tools such as Git and JIRA
Senior Test Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior test engineer in California?
The standard path in California begins with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related discipline, followed by several years in a junior or mid-level test or quality assurance role. California does not require a state-issued license for most test engineering positions, though a Professional Engineer license from the California Board for Professional Engineers can strengthen candidacy for senior roles in aerospace or defense. Employers in California's semiconductor and defense corridors consistently prioritize hands-on hardware or embedded testing experience.
Which companies hire senior test engineers in California?
Employers hiring senior test engineers in California right now include NVIDIA, PlayStation, and Coherent, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor companies, and consumer electronics headquarters means hiring is distributed across both established defense contractors in Los Angeles and San Diego and large technology campuses in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
Which California cities have the most senior test engineer jobs?
Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View account for the largest share of senior test engineer openings in California. San Jose and the broader Silicon Valley lead because of the density of semiconductor and consumer hardware companies headquartered there, while San Diego's defense and RF technology sector drives strong demand, and Los Angeles draws hiring from aerospace primes and entertainment technology firms concentrated in the region.
Are there remote senior test engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely software-focused roles, because senior test engineering work often requires hands-on access to physical hardware, RF equipment, or lab environments. About 9% of senior test engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and the remote-eligible share tends to be concentrated in test automation, software-defined test framework development, and test strategy or management positions.
How can I get hired as a senior test engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a junior or associate test engineer role, where California employers such as Northrop Grumman, Qualcomm, and Apple regularly bring in new graduates through structured engineering rotational or early-career programs. Lateral moves from adjacent roles in quality assurance, manufacturing test, or validation engineering are common. Earning a Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer credential or demonstrating automated test scripting skills in a portfolio project gives candidates a concrete edge when competing for California openings.
Where can I find and apply to senior test engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior test engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 122+ Senior Test Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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