Validation Engineer Jobs in California
Validation Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the life sciences, semiconductor, and aerospace industries, with openings from entry-level process validation roles through senior IQ/OQ/PQ leads and validation managers. The San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles are the primary hiring hubs, where employers like Genentech, Boston Scientific, and Northrop Grumman consistently recruit validation professionals. The most in-demand specialties are CSV (computer software validation), medical device validation under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and Part 820, and process validation for biologics and pharmaceuticals. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 248+ Validation Engineer jobs
The Crash Safety Software team is looking for an experienced software engineer to develop simulation and test infrastructure critical to releasing safety critical software with high confidence. This role will involve using core software tooling expertise to validate embedded controllers in a virtual simulation environment through Tesla’s state-of-the-art Software in the Loop (SIL) infrastructure, along with testing physical ECU hardware through Hardware in the Loop (HIL) testers.
You will be responsible for designing scalable infrastructure to support new feature releases, support software Over the Air (OTA) releases, sign off on regression tests, automate test execution pipelines, and work with a small world-class team to ship high-quality software. Additionally, you will develop infrastructure to allow for rapid algorithm iteration, including a pipeline to rapidly incorporate real-world data. This is a unique opportunity to build innovative simulation infrastructure, software tooling, CI/CD pipelines, automation, validation systems, and more while applying your creativity without constraints.
The Crash Safety Firmware team develops and integrates airbag controller functionality that makes Tesla’s vehicles the safest on the road. Join the growing team to tackle our mission to improve real-world crash safety through smart engineering and ambitious innovation using insights gathered from our global connected vehicle fleet as well as our state-of-the-art crash lab. You will solve some of the most ambiguous and challenging problems in the industry while working alongside deeply knowledgeable engineers from different disciplines, in a fast-paced environment, using cutting-edge software development tools and practices.
What You'll Do
- Develop firmware simulation tooling in a Software in the Loop environment
- Design and develop tooling for Hardware in the Loop testers
- Create automated validation infrastructure to enable reliable, efficient, thorough, accurate, and repeatable tests
- Develop and execute automated regression test suites for safety critical crash safety firmware
- Continuously analyze and improve regression test suite coverage
- Own the validation release process for customer releases, including test strategy scoping, test execution, and sign off
What You'll Bring
- Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in software tooling developing, test automation or embedded development
- Excellent proficiency in Python
- Experience in C
- Knowledge and experience with automation and build tools (Jenkins, Docker, SCons)
- Experience with Rust is a plus
- Experience understanding analog & digital circuits
- Knowledge of version control (Git) and continuous integration
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with the team
- Experience with FPGAs is a plus
Compensation and Benefits
Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
- Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
- Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
- Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
- Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
- Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
- Tesla Babies program
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
The Crash Safety Software team is looking for an experienced software engineer to develop simulation and test infrastructure critical to releasing safety critical software with high confidence. This role will involve using core software tooling expertise to validate embedded controllers in a virtual simulation environment through Tesla’s state-of-the-art Software in the Loop (SIL) infrastructure, along with testing physical ECU hardware through Hardware in the Loop (HIL) testers.
You will be responsible for designing scalable infrastructure to support new feature releases, support software Over the Air (OTA) releases, sign off on regression tests, automate test execution pipelines, and work with a small world-class team to ship high-quality software. Additionally, you will develop infrastructure to allow for rapid algorithm iteration, including a pipeline to rapidly incorporate real-world data. This is a unique opportunity to build innovative simulation infrastructure, software tooling, CI/CD pipelines, automation, validation systems, and more while applying your creativity without constraints.
The Crash Safety Firmware team develops and integrates airbag controller functionality that makes Tesla’s vehicles the safest on the road. Join the growing team to tackle our mission to improve real-world crash safety through smart engineering and ambitious innovation using insights gathered from our global connected vehicle fleet as well as our state-of-the-art crash lab. You will solve some of the most ambiguous and challenging problems in the industry while working alongside deeply knowledgeable engineers from different disciplines, in a fast-paced environment, using cutting-edge software development tools and practices.
What You'll Do
- Develop firmware simulation tooling in a Software in the Loop environment
- Design and develop tooling for Hardware in the Loop testers
- Create automated validation infrastructure to enable reliable, efficient, thorough, accurate, and repeatable tests
- Develop and execute automated regression test suites for safety critical crash safety firmware
- Continuously analyze and improve regression test suite coverage
- Own the validation release process for customer releases, including test strategy scoping, test execution, and sign off
What You'll Bring
- Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in software tooling developing, test automation or embedded development
- Excellent proficiency in Python
- Experience in C
- Knowledge and experience with automation and build tools (Jenkins, Docker, SCons)
- Experience with Rust is a plus
- Experience understanding analog & digital circuits
- Knowledge of version control (Git) and continuous integration
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with the team
- Experience with FPGAs is a plus
Compensation and Benefits
Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
- Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
- Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
- Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
- Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
- Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
- Tesla Babies program
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
See All 248+ Validation Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Validation Engineer JobsValidation Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Validation Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla31
- Apple28
- NVIDIA11
- Marvell Technology10
- Etched6
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware58
- Technology & Software45
- Manufacturing10
- Automotive6
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals6
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in validation engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, life sciences, or a closely related technical discipline
- Experience writing and executing IQ, OQ, and PQ validation protocols and summary reports
- Working knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 11, Part 820, or EU Annex 11 regulatory frameworks
- Proficiency with validation documentation systems such as Veeva Vault or MasterControl
- Familiarity with GAMP 5 guidelines and risk-based validation approaches
- Experience supporting audits and inspections by FDA, notified bodies, or internal quality teams
Validation Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a validation engineer in California?
Most California employers require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, biomedical, or chemical engineering, or in a life sciences field. No state-issued license is required to work as a validation engineer in California, but roles in medical device and pharmaceutical companies expect familiarity with FDA regulations and quality systems from the start. Completing an entry-level QA or manufacturing role at a regulated facility in California's large life sciences sector is the most common path into validation work.
Which companies hire validation engineers in California?
Employers hiring validation engineers in California right now include Tesla, Apple, and NVIDIA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's dense concentration of FDA-regulated medical device and biotech companies means consistent demand from both large multinationals and growing mid-size manufacturers.
Which California cities have the most validation engineer jobs?
Santa Clara, San Jose, and Palo Alto have the most validation engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its high density of biotech and pharmaceutical headquarters, San Diego draws volume from its large medical device cluster, and Los Angeles reflects both aerospace validation demand and a growing life sciences manufacturing base.
Are there remote validation engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Validation engineering is largely a hands-on, on-site role because executing and witnessing protocols requires physical access to equipment and systems in a regulated facility. About 21% of validation engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. The portions of the role most suited to remote work are documentation, protocol authoring, and CSV project coordination.
How can I get hired as a validation engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a quality assurance associate or manufacturing technician role at an FDA-regulated California facility, which builds direct exposure to validation activities. Large California employers in the biotech and medical device space, including those based in South San Francisco and San Diego, regularly hire new graduates into quality systems or operations roles that rotate through validation. A degree in engineering or a life sciences field, combined with any coursework or internship involving GMP environments, gives candidates a clear edge when applying.
Where can I find and apply to validation engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to validation engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers across the life sciences, semiconductor, and aerospace industries. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 248+ Validation Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Validation Engineer Jobs