Software Test Engineer Jobs in California

Software Test Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the technology, defense, and enterprise software sectors across a range from entry-level QA associates through senior automation engineers and leads. The largest hiring metros are San Jose, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where companies like Apple, Qualcomm, and Salesforce maintain significant engineering workforces. The most in-demand specialties are test automation, performance testing, and embedded systems QA. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles183+
Top employerApple
Top citySan Diego, CA
Cities hiring39
Work type51% Hybrid
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 183+ Software Test Engineer jobs

Senior Software Development Engineer in Test
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New 6h ago
Senior Software Development Engineer in Test
SDVI
Sunnyvale, California
Customer Support
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Product & Program Management
Technical Program Management
$140k - $185k/yr
Remote (US)
11-50

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Prototype Software Test Engineer
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Added 1d ago
Prototype Software Test Engineer
Sigma Design
Burlingame, California
Embedded Systems Engineering
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
$119k - $141k/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering
201-500

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Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
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Added 1d ago
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
Robotics Technologies
Culver City, California
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
Remote (US)

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Software Test Engineer I (Systems Test)
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Added 1d ago
Software Test Engineer I (Systems Test)
Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.
San Diego, California
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
$39.23 - $49/hr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in engineering
1,001-5,000

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Software Test Engineer I
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Added 1d ago
Software Test Engineer I
Applied Medical
Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
$73k - $85k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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See All 183+ Software Test Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Software Test Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Sunnyvale
22 jobs
San Mateo
10 jobs
San Francisco
9 jobs
Palo Alto
8 jobs
Hawthorne
7 jobs

Software Test Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Apple26
  • Northrop Grumman12
  • Sony Interactive Entertainment11
  • SpaceX6
  • TikTok6

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software15
  • Aerospace & Defense4
  • Electronics & Hardware4
  • Manufacturing3
  • Automotive1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in software test engineer jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related technical field
  • Hands-on experience writing and executing automated test scripts using tools such as Selenium or Cypress
  • Proficiency in at least one programming or scripting language, commonly Python, Java, or JavaScript
  • Familiarity with Agile and Scrum development environments and CI/CD pipeline testing practices
  • Experience using defect-tracking and test-management tools such as Jira, TestRail, or Zephyr
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting test plans and reporting defects clearly

Software Test Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a software test engineer in California?

A bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or information systems is the standard entry point for software test engineer roles in California. The field has no state-issued license, so employers focus on demonstrable skills: hands-on experience with test automation frameworks, a portfolio of real or project-based testing work, and certifications such as ISTQB are widely recognized by California technology and defense employers as evidence of foundational competency.

How much do software test engineers make in California?

Software test 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 software test engineers in California?

Employers hiring software test engineers in California right now include Apple, Northrop Grumman, and Sony Interactive Entertainment, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of enterprise software, semiconductor, and aerospace companies means demand is spread across both large public companies and well-funded mid-stage technology firms.

Which California cities have the most software test engineer jobs?

San Diego, Sunnyvale, and San Jose have the most software test engineer openings in California. The San Jose and greater Bay Area concentration reflects the region's density of enterprise software and semiconductor companies, while San Diego's hiring is driven by its large defense technology and wireless communications industry base anchored by employers like Qualcomm and major defense contractors.

Are there remote software test engineer jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 54% of software test engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how naturally the work suits distributed teams. Test automation, code review, and defect triage are the tasks most commonly performed fully remote, while hardware-in-the-loop or embedded systems testing roles are more likely to require on-site access.

How can I get hired as a software test engineer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for QA analyst or junior QA engineer roles at California technology companies that run structured new-graduate hiring programs, including several large Bay Area and Los Angeles-based enterprise software firms. Building a portfolio of automated test scripts on open-source projects and earning the ISTQB Foundation certification gives candidates a concrete edge. Adjacent roles such as technical support specialist or junior developer are also common lateral moves into testing at California employers.

Where can I find and apply to software test engineer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to software test engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring across the state. Find the roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly.

See All 183+ Software Test Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Software Test Engineer Jobs