ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Software Test Engineer Jobs in California

Arista Networks

Software L1 Test Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$110K - $185K/yr

You will work with software development engineers, hardware engineers, field support engineers and software test engineers to gather technical requirements, create software test plans, and validate ...

Abbott

Senior Software Test Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$125K - $162K/yr

Mentor and guidejunior test engineers, promoting strong engineering discipline, automation best practices, and regulatory excellence Required Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in software ...

Abbott

Senior Software Test Engineer

Alameda, CA

$125K - $162K/yr

Mentor and guidejunior test engineers, promoting strong engineering discipline, automation best practices, and regulatory excellence Required Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in software ...

VOLT

Entry Level Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

Volt is immediately hiring an Entry Level Test Engineer in San Diego, CA ... As a Test Engineer, you will: • Perform software testing of devices and systems for gas turbines ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSoftware Test Engineer JobsEntry Level Software Test Engineer JobsEntry Level Software Test Engineer Jobs in California

Entry Level Software Test Engineer information

See California salary details

$23.7K

$103.5K

$186.5K

How much do entry level software test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level software test engineer in California is $103,490.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,100.00 and $118,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Entry Level Software Test Engineer do?

An Entry Level Software Test Engineer is responsible for testing software applications to ensure they work as intended and meet quality standards. They create and execute test cases, report bugs, and collaborate with developers to resolve issues. Their work helps improve software reliability and user experience. Entry-level roles typically involve learning about testing tools, methodologies, and working under the guidance of more experienced engineers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Software Test Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Software Test Engineer, you need a solid understanding of software development life cycles, basic programming concepts, and a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with testing tools like Selenium, JIRA, and test case management systems, as well as knowledge of scripting languages, is typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong communication skills help you effectively identify issues and collaborate with development teams. These abilities are crucial to ensure software quality, minimize defects, and support successful product releases.

What is the difference between Entry Level Software Test Engineer vs QA Tester?

AspectEntry Level Software Test EngineerQA Tester
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in computer science or related field; basic understanding of testing toolsOften similar; may require a degree or relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams, testing labs, Agile/Scrum environmentsQuality assurance departments, testing labs, collaborative teams
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, software firms, startupsIT firms, software companies, product development teams
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both roles involve testing software to ensure quality, but an Entry Level Software Test Engineer often has a broader scope, including test planning and automation, while a QA Tester may focus more on manual testing and defect reporting. The roles are closely related and often overlap, especially at entry levels.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level software test engineers, and how can they overcome them?

Entry level software test engineers often encounter challenges such as understanding complex software systems, getting up to speed with new testing tools, and effectively communicating defects to development teams. To overcome these challenges, it's helpful to proactively seek mentorship from experienced team members, participate in training sessions, and practice clear, concise documentation of test cases and bugs. Additionally, collaborating closely with developers and other testers can provide valuable insights and foster a supportive learning environment.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Test Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Software Test Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Software Test Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Software Test Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Software Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Software Test Engineer job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 75% Full Time, and 21% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,490 per year, or $49.8 per hour.

Embedded Software Engineer / Tech lead, Onboard Test Automation

Wayve

Sunnyvale, CA • Hybrid

Other

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

The role 

As an Embedded Software Test Engineer / Tech Lead at Wayve, you will play a key role in validating onboard software systems before they reach full-vehicle testing. You'll work across a range of embedded compute platforms and operating systems to ensure software is reliable, integrated, and ready for real-world deployment. This is a high-impact role where your work directly improves software quality and enables faster iteration across multiple teams. You'll help scale testing by building automated tests and empowering developers to validate their work earlier in the development cycle.

Key responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, and execute automated tests for onboard software subsystems (OS, middleware, sensors, and integration points)
  • Validate software behavior on embedded hardware platforms within hardware-in-the-loop environments
  • Collaborate with software engineers to identify test gaps and build coverage for new and existing features
  • Debug and triage system-level issues across software and hardware boundaries
  • Enable developer self-service testing by contributing to CI pipelines and reusable test frameworks
  • Support expansion of test coverage by leveraging existing validation tests and shifting them earlier in the development cycle
About you  

In order to set you up for success as an Embedded Software Test Engineer at Wayve, we're looking for the following skills and experience.  

Essential 
  • Experience testing embedded software systems, ideally on Linux or QNX-based platforms
  • Strong programming skills in Python, C++, or similar languages for test development and automation
  • Experience working with embedded hardware platforms and understanding hardware/software interactions
  • Proven ability to debug and triage complex issues across system layers
  • Understanding of software testing principles, including automation, integration testing, and system validation
Desirable 
  • Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) testing environments
  • Familiarity with sensor systems or data pipelines (e.g., camera, radar, or similar)
  • Experience working with CI/CD systems (e.g., Buildkite) and test pipeline integration
  • Exposure to robotics, autonomous systems, or real-time software environments

This is a full-time role based in our office in Sunnyvale, California.  At Wayve we want the best of all worlds so we operate a hybrid working policy that combines time together in our offices and workshops to fuel innovation, culture, relationships and learning, and time spent working from home.   

Apply