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Automation Test Engineer Contract Jobs in California

Test & Automation Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$54 - $71.25/hr

About this Job Eridan is seeking a Test & Automation Engineer to lead the evolution of our board ... Qualify new test stations, support remote debugging for contract manufacturers, and bring up new ...

Test & Automation Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$54 - $71.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

About this Job Eridan is seeking a Test & Automation Engineer to lead the evolution of our board ... Qualify new test stations, support remote debugging for contract manufacturers, and bring up new ...

Test & Automation Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$54 - $71.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

About this Job Eridan is seeking a Test & Automation Engineer to lead the evolution of our board ... Qualify new test stations, support remote debugging for contract manufacturers, and bring up new ...

Test Automation Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA

$49.25 - $65.25/hr

... contract manufacturers. We work closely and cross-functionally with the rest of our Product ... We are looking to bring on a Test Automation Engineer to design and deliver test systems for ...

Automate validation - Codevelop automated validation processes and test automation with other test engineers. * Collaborate across teams - Work closely with algorithm engineers and test peers to ...

Automation Test Lead Work Location ... Irvine, CA (Onsite) Contract duration: 12+ months Contract Must Have Skills: * Database * SDET * ...

New

Test Automation Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Role As a Test Automation Engineer, you will own comprehensive test engineering for Special Projects hardware from early bring-up through production ramp. You will define what gets tested, where ...

Test Automation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Role As a Test Automation Engineer, you will own comprehensive test engineering for Special Projects hardware from early bring-up through production ramp. You will define what gets tested, where ...

Test Automation Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site +1

$54 - $71.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Test Automation Engineer, you will play a crucial role in our team's success. Your primary focus will be on developing and implementing test automation strategies to enhance the quality and ...

Manager, Test Automation

Alameda, CA · On-site

$53.25 - $70.50/hr

Required : • Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, or ... contract testing and integration testing patterns. • Hands on experience building scalable ...

Showing results 21-40

Automation Test Engineer Contract information

See California salary details

$10

$50

$74

How much do automation test engineer contract jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for automation test engineer contract in California is $50.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.65 and $57.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Automation Test Engineer Contract vs QA Tester Contract?

AspectAutomation Test Engineer ContractQA Tester Contract
Required CredentialsCertifications in automation tools (e.g., Selenium, QTP), programming skillsBasic testing certifications (e.g., ISTQB), testing methodologies
Work EnvironmentFocus on automation frameworks, scripting, and tool developmentManual testing, test case execution, defect reporting
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in software development, IT, and tech companies for automated testingCommon across various industries for manual quality assurance

Automation Test Engineer Contract roles typically require automation tool expertise and scripting skills, focusing on developing automated tests. QA Tester Contract roles mainly involve manual testing and test case execution. Both roles are essential in quality assurance but differ in technical focus and responsibilities.

What is an automation test engineer contract?

Automation Test Engineer contracts are temporary work agreements where professionals are hired to design, develop, and execute automated tests for software applications. These contracts typically span a set period and focus on improving software quality, efficiency, and reliability by automating repetitive testing tasks. Contractors may work with various tools and frameworks, collaborate with development teams, and create detailed test reports. Such roles are ideal for companies seeking specialized testing expertise without committing to permanent hires.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automation test engineer on contract, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automation Test Engineer on contract, you typically need strong programming skills (such as in Java, Python, or JavaScript), experience with testing frameworks, and a background in software quality assurance. Familiarity with tools like Selenium, Jenkins, JUnit, and CI/CD systems, as well as relevant certifications (e.g., ISTQB), is highly valued. Excellent problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication help contractors quickly integrate into teams and address changing project needs. These skills ensure efficient, high-quality test automation solutions that meet fast-paced project requirements.

What are some common challenges automation test engineers face when working on contract assignments?

As a contract Automation Test Engineer, you may encounter challenges such as quickly adapting to new teams, tools, and project requirements. Contract roles often require you to become productive in a short time frame, so strong communication and self-management skills are important. Additionally, you might need to work with varied automation frameworks and integrate your work with existing systems, which can present technical and organizational hurdles. Building rapport with permanent staff and demonstrating your expertise early on can help you overcome these challenges and succeed in the role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Automation Test Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Automation Test Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Automation Test Engineer Contract jobs?

Cities in California with the most Automation Test Engineer Contract job openings:

Infographic showing various Automation Test Engineer Contract job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,259 per year, or $50.6 per hour.

Test & Automation Engineer

Eridan

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$54 - $71.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

About Eridan

At Eridan we believe in the power of collaboration and communication to achieve our mission: connect the planet to empower a sustainable, shared future. That mission is possible with our patented transmitter which decreases the cost and power required to roll out 5G by 10x when deployed globally. This is all facilitated through our offices: our Sunnyvale headquarters has big windows (even in the lab!), is walking distance to downtown and the Caltrain, and fits the entire team in the cafeteria for our frequent company parties. Learn more about our mission here.

About this Job

Eridan is seeking a Test & Automation Engineer to lead the evolution of our board-level RF test systems. You will take full ownership of the automation codebase, spearhead comprehensive yield analysis, and develop the foundational infrastructure necessary to move our technology from engineering validation into high-volume production.

In this capacity, you will serve as the technical lead for our RF test environments, ensuring that all automation is designed for scalability and reliability. This role is a vital link between the lab and the factory floor, with a focus on system enablement and the creation of production-grade automated solutions rather than basic design or individual board debugging.

As a Test & Automation Engineer, You Will

Core Automation Engineering

  • Own and extend the board-level RF test automation codebase (C# / Test Executive), adding and modifying existing code to support new test cases and additional frequency bands
  • Automate test sequences from specifications provided by the systems and GaN teams, turning PowerPoint-level requirements into production-ready test script

Data & Quality Assurance

  • Collect, organize, and analyze test yield data in bulk, building Pareto analyses to identify top failure modes and translate them into prioritized action items for the systems team
  • Work with the quality function to track production defects, manage priorities, and present findings to cross-functional stakeholders

Operational & Scalability

  • Evaluate and right-size test equipment selections, identifying when a lower-cost instrument meets production resolution requirements in place of an engineering-grade alternative
  • Qualify new test stations, support remote debugging for contract manufacturers, and bring up new test sites as Eridan scales

Documentation & Standards

  • Author and maintain technical documentation for test procedures, specifications, and configuration management to support the transition to contract manufacturing
  • Commit clean, reviewed code to Git and meet the team's code quality standards for acceptance to the main branch

Qualities of a Successful Candidate

  • Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
  • 4+ years of experience in test engineering or a related role
  • Hands-on experience with RF test equipment in a lab environment (signal analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, or similar instruments)
  • Programming experience in at least one language; ability to read, modify, and write code from scratch. C# experience is a strong plus given our current test executive stack
  • Familiarity with data analysis concepts and the ability to work through yield datasets to identify and communicate failure trends

Nice to Have

  • Experience in the telecommunications or wireless industry
  • Familiarity with 3GPP standards
  • Background in a manufacturing or yield environment, including Pareto analysis, defect tracking, or process quality functions
  • Experience with Git and software version control workflow

Perks of working at Eridan

  • Work on new technology that will make a significant impact on global infrastructure
  • Ability to learn, develop, and advance within a flexible environment
  • Collaborate with smart, passionate, and helpful co-workers
  • Celebrate progress company-wide
  • Pre-IPO equity
  • 401K with automatic match
  • Health, Vision and Dental insurance

Salary Range

Given our anticipated growth, we are open to hiring individuals with varying levels of experience to fill this role. Salary will be commensurate with job-related skills, experience and other relevant factors. The base salary range for the primary location of this role is between $120,000 and $140,000 plus stock options and benefits.

Eridan is an equal opportunity employer. We value and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.