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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Showing 5 of 256+ Senior Test Engineer jobs
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 8 years of experience in manufacturing.
Preferred qualifications:
- Master's degree or PhD in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Materials, or a related engineering field.
- 10 years of experience with architecting complex manufacturing test solutions for CPU/GPU based products.
- Experience with creating manufacturing test strategies that cover from structural through functional and system test.
- Experience in technical leadership, project management, and executive communication.
- Ability to communicate effectively on project requirements and schedules.
About the job
Google's custom-designed equipment makes up one of the largest and most impactful computing infrastructures in the world. The Manufacturing Operations team is responsible for providing the manufacturing capability to deliver for Google's computing infrastructure.
The Machine Learning New Product Introduction (ML-NPI) team is the engine behind Google’s AI infrastructure, leading the cross-functional execution required to deploy next-generation ML capacity to our global fleet. As part of this organization, the ML-NPI Test Engineering team ensures the seamless introduction of these technologies by serving as the crucial link between hardware design, manufacturing partners, and data center deployments.
As a Senior Manufacturing Test Development Engineer, you will own the deployment of critical test infrastructure from strategy to execution. You will manage test development schedules and budgets, advocate design-for-testability, and lead engineering teams within Contract Manufacturer (CM)/Joint Development Manufacturer (JDM) environments to ensure our partner factories deliver on time.
The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what’s possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide.
We're the driving force behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of our cutting-edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, systems research, and much more.
Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.US: $144000 - $208000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google.
Responsibilities
- Define and document comprehensive manufacturing test strategies, optimizing the critical balance between test coverage, production capacity, and technical risk.
- Oversee board and system-level test development, managing schedules, budgets, and cross-functional dependencies to ensure alignment with NPI program milestones.
- Identify technical and operational risks, developing and implementing effective mitigation strategies to support seamless volume manufacturing deployments.
- Partner with design engineering teams to drive Design for Test (DFT) initiatives and maintain transparent communication with stakeholders via status updates and performance dashboards.
- Author and maintain high-quality technical documentation, including end-to-end test processes and detailed test plans, to ensure consistency and operational excellence throughout the product lifecycle.
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 8 years of experience in manufacturing.
Preferred qualifications:
- Master's degree or PhD in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Materials, or a related engineering field.
- 10 years of experience with architecting complex manufacturing test solutions for CPU/GPU based products.
- Experience with creating manufacturing test strategies that cover from structural through functional and system test.
- Experience in technical leadership, project management, and executive communication.
- Ability to communicate effectively on project requirements and schedules.
About the job
Google's custom-designed equipment makes up one of the largest and most impactful computing infrastructures in the world. The Manufacturing Operations team is responsible for providing the manufacturing capability to deliver for Google's computing infrastructure.
The Machine Learning New Product Introduction (ML-NPI) team is the engine behind Google’s AI infrastructure, leading the cross-functional execution required to deploy next-generation ML capacity to our global fleet. As part of this organization, the ML-NPI Test Engineering team ensures the seamless introduction of these technologies by serving as the crucial link between hardware design, manufacturing partners, and data center deployments.
As a Senior Manufacturing Test Development Engineer, you will own the deployment of critical test infrastructure from strategy to execution. You will manage test development schedules and budgets, advocate design-for-testability, and lead engineering teams within Contract Manufacturer (CM)/Joint Development Manufacturer (JDM) environments to ensure our partner factories deliver on time.
The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what’s possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide.
We're the driving force behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of our cutting-edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, systems research, and much more.
Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.US: $144000 - $208000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google.
Responsibilities
- Define and document comprehensive manufacturing test strategies, optimizing the critical balance between test coverage, production capacity, and technical risk.
- Oversee board and system-level test development, managing schedules, budgets, and cross-functional dependencies to ensure alignment with NPI program milestones.
- Identify technical and operational risks, developing and implementing effective mitigation strategies to support seamless volume manufacturing deployments.
- Partner with design engineering teams to drive Design for Test (DFT) initiatives and maintain transparent communication with stakeholders via status updates and performance dashboards.
- Author and maintain high-quality technical documentation, including end-to-end test processes and detailed test plans, to ensure consistency and operational excellence throughout the product lifecycle.
See All 256+ Senior Test Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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
- Northrop Grumman21
- Anduril11
- Tesla8
- NVIDIA8
- Zoox5
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software29
- Electronics & Hardware17
- Aerospace & Defense9
- Manufacturing7
- Automotive6
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 Northrop Grumman, Anduril, and Tesla, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?
San Diego, Santa Clara, and Los Angeles 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 26% of senior test engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 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 256+ 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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