Test Engineering Manager Jobs in California
Test Engineering Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, consumer electronics, and enterprise software across a seniority range from first-time managers through principal-level engineering leaders. The heaviest hiring is in the San Jose and San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers like Apple, Qualcomm, and Northrop Grumman maintain large engineering organizations that depend on test infrastructure at scale. The most in-demand specialties are hardware validation, automated test equipment, and software quality engineering for embedded and real-time systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Test Engineering Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 39+ Test Engineering Manager jobs











INTRODUCTION
As a Test Engineering Manager at Honeywell Aerospace, you will be responsible for leading and managing a team of test support engineers to ensure the successful execution of test station builds, processes and procedures. You will develop and implement station build strategies to ensure on-time delivery, while managing ongoing floor support, test equipment rentals etc. Additionally, you will monitor and analyze factory analytics to identify areas for improvement and provide technical guidance and support to team members.
In this role, you will have a significant impact on the success of our engineering teams. You will work closely with senior management to ensure that engineering projects are supported and aligned with the company's goals. Your role will involve providing guidance and support to the test support engineering team, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.
See All 39 Test Engineering Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Test Engineering Manager JobsTest Engineering Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Test Engineering Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- NVIDIA9

- Apple6

- Coherent4

- OSI Engineering2

- PsiQuantum2

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software16
- Electronics & Hardware15
- Manufacturing6
- Artificial Intelligence3
- Automotive2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in test engineering manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Three or more years managing test engineering teams in a production or development environment
- Hands-on experience designing or overseeing automated test equipment and validation frameworks
- Demonstrated ability to own product quality metrics, defect escape rates, and release readiness decisions
- Proficiency with at least one test automation platform such as LabVIEW, Python-based pytest, or NI TestStand
- Experience collaborating with hardware, firmware, and software teams in an Agile or hardware development lifecycle
Test Engineering Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a test engineering manager in California?
The most direct path is several years of hands-on test engineering work followed by a move into team leadership, typically in California's semiconductor, aerospace, or consumer electronics sectors. California does not require a state-issued license for this role, but a Professional Engineer registration from the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists strengthens candidacy for defense and regulated industries. A bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering is the standard entry credential.
Which companies hire test engineering managers in California?
Employers hiring test engineering managers in California right now include NVIDIA, Apple, and Coherent, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of semiconductor fabs, defense primes, and consumer electronics headquarters means demand is spread across large established engineering organizations with dedicated hardware and software validation teams.
Which California cities have the most test engineering manager jobs?
Santa Clara, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale have the most test engineering manager openings in California. The Bay Area dominates because of its density of semiconductor and enterprise software companies, San Diego draws heavily from defense contractors and wireless chip firms like Qualcomm, and Los Angeles reflects demand from aerospace and media technology employers anchored in that region.
Are there remote test engineering manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Test engineering management often requires physical access to hardware, lab equipment, and manufacturing lines, which limits full-remote arrangements. About 10% of test engineering manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and when remote work does appear it tends to cover the team management, planning, and software quality portions of the role rather than hands-on validation work.
How can I get hired as a test engineering manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving up from a senior test engineer or quality engineer role within a California company rather than applying to manager positions from outside. Large Bay Area and San Diego employers in semiconductors and defense regularly promote from within and post associate or senior individual-contributor roles as stepping stones. Building a portfolio of test framework projects, earning a Certified Software Test Professional credential, and targeting rotational engineering programs at companies like Broadcom or L3Harris gives candidates without direct management experience a concrete way to close the gap.
Where can I find and apply to test engineering manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to test engineering manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 39 Test Engineering Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Test Engineering Manager Jobs