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Automotive Testing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Use understanding of technical drawings, documents, and automotive testing requirements to convert information into recommendations and next steps to achieve specifications. * Understand and have ...

About Us MGA Research is known as one of the leading automotive testing companies worldwide. It's true we focus on safety and reliability, doing all we can to protect both drivers and passengers as ...

In addition to the automotive industry, MGA conducts safety testing in the aerospace and energy storage industries as well as equipment fabrication. What We Need We are looking for Engineers with ...

Exposure to automotive testing protocols, validation frameworks, or OEM partnership programs. * Experience supporting scaling in global, distributed teams with complex technical dependencies.

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Automotive Testing information

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$10

$27

$44

How much do automotive testing jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for automotive testing in California is $27.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.62 and $32.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an automotive testing?

An Automotive Testing job involves evaluating vehicles, components, and systems to ensure they meet safety, performance, and regulatory standards. Professionals in this role conduct tests on engines, brakes, emissions, electronics, and other vehicle systems using specialized equipment and software. They analyze data, identify issues, and collaborate with engineers to improve design and functionality. Automotive testers work in laboratories, test tracks, and real-world conditions to validate vehicle reliability and efficiency. Their goal is to enhance vehicle safety, durability, and compliance with industry regulations.

What does an automotive testing do?

A typical day in Automotive Testing involves setting up and conducting tests on vehicles or components, analyzing performance data, and documenting results. You might run diagnostics, evaluate safety features, and troubleshoot issues alongside engineers and designers. Collaboration is key, as you'll often work within cross-functional teams to identify and address problems. The role strikes a balance between hands-on technical work in the lab or testing facility and preparing reports or providing feedback to development teams. This environment provides ongoing opportunities to learn and take on more responsibilities, especially as you gain experience with advanced automotive technologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in automotive testing, and why are they important?

To thrive in Automotive Testing, you need strong mechanical aptitude, knowledge of automotive systems, and a degree in automotive engineering or a related field. Familiarity with diagnostic tools, test equipment, data acquisition systems, and relevant certifications like ASE or ISTQB can be important. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help in accurately documenting results and collaborating with engineering teams. These skills are critical for ensuring vehicle reliability, safety, and compliance with industry standards.

How to become an automotive testing professional?

To become an automotive testing professional, typically a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, or a related field is required. Gaining experience with vehicle systems, testing procedures, and tools such as diagnostic software is important, along with developing strong analytical and technical skills. Certifications in automotive testing or quality assurance can enhance job prospects.

Is automotive testing a good career?

Automotive testing is a viable career that involves evaluating vehicle safety, performance, and compliance with industry standards. It requires technical skills, knowledge of testing tools and protocols, and often involves working in labs or on test tracks. The field offers opportunities for specialization and advancement, with a focus on quality assurance and product development.

What are popular job titles related to Automotive Testing jobs in California?

For Automotive Testing jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Automotive Testing jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Automotive Testing jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Automotive Testing jobs?

Cities in California with the most Automotive Testing job openings:

Infographic showing various Automotive Testing job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,056 per year, or $27.4 per hour.

Staff System Software Integration and Validation Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Palo Alto, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Ford Motor Company rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 527 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 45 rated automakers


Job description

In this position... 
You will be responsible for designing, developing, and executing verification and validation activities to ensure that our software meets the highest standards of safety and performance. 
As a Senior System Software Integration and Validation Engineer, you will play a critical role in ensuring the quality and reliability of our automotive systems

Your expertise will be vital in driving the success of our projects and maintaining our reputation for excellence.


You'll have...
 

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.


5+ years of experience in the automotive or relevant industry 
Strong understanding of automotive systems, embedded software, and control systems.
Demonstrated experience with automotive testing instrumentation and tools.
Proficiency in automotive communication protocols such as CAN, LIN, Ethernet, and FlexRay.
Working knowledge of IDLs such as DBC, LDF, ARXML, and work with internal IDLs and frameworks.
Experience with automotive or aerospace HIL test benches, particularly with dSPACE, Vector VT, or similar platforms
Experience writing and executing automated and manual tests.
Deep expertise in the EE architecture and integration of complex automotive systems, including interactions across multiple domains (e.g., body, powertrain, chassis, ADAS) and ECUs.
Proven track record of collaborating with large, cross-functional teams across hardware, software, and systems engineering.
Deep understanding of software development lifecycle and automotive testing methodologies.
Experience in system-level debugging and root-cause analysis across software and hardware boundaries.
Proficiency in understanding wiring and logical schematics, network diagram and harness drawings. 
Ability to define and drive system validation plan from concept to production.
Even better, you may have...
Familiarity with safety-critical software development and industry standards like ISO 26262.
Proficiency in programming languages such as C/C++, Python, or MATLAB.
Experience testing fully electric vehicles.
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!


As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service 
A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day 
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time. 
This position is a leadership level 6.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6SP4

Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid

   #LI-SE1 #UEV

What you'll do...

Design, build and maintain complex automotive system level test benches to validate automotive systems with a focus on automation.
Develop comprehensive verification and validation plans for automotive software systems and features.
Design and execute test cases and test scripts to verify system functionality, performance, and safety.
Develop and implement automation scripts and tools to enhance testing efficiency and accuracy.
Integrate hardware and software components to create reliable and scalable test environments.
Lead debug of any issues encountered working with cross functional teams across the organization on identifying root cause, confirming fixes and providing guidance on how we can protect against future regressions
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software developers, controls engineers, and systems engineers to define and implement V&V strategies.
Continuously improve testing processes and tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Prepare and present detailed reports on verification activities and results to stakeholders


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