Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in California
Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in California are among the most actively recruited software quality roles in the country, concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where technology companies, enterprise software firms, and semiconductor manufacturers maintain large engineering organizations. Employers such as Google, Apple, and Salesforce have sustained demand at every level from new graduate through principal engineer, with the strongest need in test automation frameworks, CI/CD pipeline validation, and mobile and embedded systems testing. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming outstanding products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish.
The Creativity Applications team is looking for a Software Development Engineer in Test who has experience testing iOS/macOS applications, cloud based frameworks and APIs, validating new and innovative on-device ML and AI features in the creative space. You will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to help shape upcoming products that will delight and inspire millions of Apple’s customers every day. Ideally we are looking for someone with a passion and/or background in video editing to contribute to the production of innovative tools for creative professionals, video makers and visual storytellers.
DESCRIPTION
In this role, you will be responsible for planning, designing, writing, maintaining and executing test cases manually and through automation using Swift and Python. You will drive all aspects of quality and process improvements to help the team ensure that our features are rock-solid and ready to be released to our customers. Reporting bugs with outstanding isolation and regression techniques will be the key to your success. This role requires balancing a wide variety of deliverables that will rely on your talent for managing priorities and communicating progress and risks effectively and systematically. Your ongoing curiosity and dedication to self-education in AI/ML technologies, video/photo/music/productivity application editing software as well as new testing techniques is what will set you apart. You will be working closely with other team members to help coordinate multi-functional test efforts.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of 3 years industry experience in quality assurance with a prior focus in testing AI/ML technologies.
- Minimum of 3 years experience as a Software Engineer in Test, programming in Swift and/or Python to prototype features, create and test with internal tools.
- Proficiency in testing iOS/macOS apps, cloud based frameworks, and framework APIs.
- Excellent understanding of an ML-based product lifecycle and GenAI. Strong knowledge of software development lifecycle, testing methodologies, QA terminology and processes.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills with the ability to articulate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience developing/validating GenAI tools or working on AI-adjacent projects.
- Experience with writing automation for Apple platforms including iOS and macOS.
- Experience with photo, video, film and cloud editing workflows using creative applications is a plus.
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $139,500 and $258,100, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See All 83 Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in California
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Find JobsSoftware Development Engineer In Test Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Development Engineer In Test Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- PlayStation19

- Apple18

- NVIDIA4

- Zoox4

- Amazon3

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software46
- Electronics & Hardware17
- Automotive4
- Healthcare & Medical Services4
- Manufacturing4
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software development engineer in test jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Proficiency in at least one programming language such as Python, Java, or C++
- Experience designing and maintaining automated test frameworks and test suites
- Familiarity with CI/CD tools including Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or similar platforms
- Ability to write clear bug reports and collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams
- Experience with performance, regression, or mobile testing in a product engineering environment
Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software development engineer in test in California?
The most direct path is a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, which is the standard educational baseline California employers expect. There is no state-issued license or government registration required to work in this role in California. Candidates who build a portfolio demonstrating test automation skills, contribute to open source testing projects, or complete internships at California technology firms strengthen their candidacy significantly before or after graduation.
How much do software development engineer in tests make in California?
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 software development engineer in tests in California?
Employers hiring software development engineer in tests in California right now include PlayStation, Apple, and NVIDIA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense concentration of enterprise software, consumer technology, and semiconductor companies means sustained hiring across both established headquarters and regional engineering offices throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most software development engineer in test jobs?
San Mateo, Cupertino, and San Francisco have the most software development engineer in test openings in California, driven by the Bay Area's concentration of major technology headquarters and the growing engineering offices that Los Angeles and San Diego have attracted in defense technology, biotech software, and consumer applications. Smaller suburban markets near these metros often reflect satellite engineering campuses of the same large employers anchoring the primary cities.
Are there remote software development engineer in test jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 8% of software development engineer in test openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves writing code, reviewing test results, and collaborating through engineering tools rather than requiring physical lab or hardware access. The most remote-friendly specialties are web, API, and backend test automation, while embedded systems and hardware-in-the-loop testing roles tend to require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a software development engineer in test in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for associate software engineer in test or quality assurance engineer roles at mid-size California technology companies, which often hire new graduates without commercial testing experience. Large California employers such as Apple, Oracle, and Intuit run university recruiting and internship pipelines that place candidates directly into entry-level test engineering teams. Candidates moving from adjacent roles such as manual QA analyst or junior software developer can accelerate the transition by building a public portfolio of automated test scripts and contributing to open source projects that California engineering managers can evaluate directly.
Where can I find and apply to software development engineer in test jobs in California?
You can find and apply to software development engineer in test jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
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