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Environmental Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Astranis

Environmental Test Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $135K/yr

Environmental Test Engineer As an Environmental Test Engineer, you will have the unique challenge of working at the intersection of all engineering disciplines to ensure our hardware meets the ...

E-Space

Environmental Test Engineer

Saratoga, CA

$140K - $210K/yr

We are looking for an Environmental Test Engineer to own the launch and space environmental qualification and acceptance test campaign for E-Space's large deployable antenna structure. This person ...

E-Space

Environmental Test Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$140K - $210K/yr

We are looking for an Environmental Test Engineer to own the launch and space environmental qualification and acceptance test campaign for E-Space's large deployable antenna structure. This person ...

Vast

Staff Environmental Test Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

Vast is looking for a Staff Environmental Test Engineer reporting to the Senior Manager of Environmental Test, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build ...

Apex

Lead Environmental Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$136K - $187K/yr

About the Role As the Lead Environmental Test Engineer, you will lead and develop a team of test engineers while driving excellence across environmental testing and spacecraft checkout operations.

Vast

Staff Environmental Test Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$160K - $230K/yr

As an Environmental Test Manufacturing Engineer, you will play a crucial role in the development and manufacturing of advanced avionics systems for our portfolio of space products, including liquid ...

Apex

Spacecraft Environmental Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

About the Role Apex is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Environmental Test Engineer specializing in environmental testing and checkouts. This candidate will play a critical role in ensuring ...

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Environmental Test Engineer information

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How much do environmental test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for environmental test engineer in California is $43.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.98 and $51.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Environmental Test Engineer, you need a solid grounding in engineering principles, environmental testing standards, and a relevant degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with testing tools such as thermal chambers, vibration tables, and data acquisition systems, along with certifications like ISTA or MIL-STD-810, is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are crucial for analyzing results and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are essential to ensure products meet rigorous environmental requirements, maintain safety standards, and perform reliably in real-world conditions.

Is there a high demand for environmental engineers?

Environmental Test Engineers are in growing demand due to increased focus on environmental regulations, sustainability, and pollution control. The field offers opportunities in industries such as manufacturing, government agencies, and consulting firms, often requiring knowledge of testing standards and environmental compliance. Job prospects are expected to remain strong as environmental concerns continue to influence policy and industry practices.

What engineers make 200,000 a year?

Senior-level environmental test engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and advanced certifications can earn $200,000 or more annually. These roles often involve managing complex testing projects, working in highly regulated industries, and may require expertise in specific testing tools and environmental conditions.

What does an Environmental Test Engineer do?

An Environmental Test Engineer is responsible for designing, conducting, and analyzing tests that evaluate how products or systems perform under various environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, vibration, and altitude. They ensure that products meet regulatory and safety standards, and can withstand real-world environmental stresses. Their work is critical in industries like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and defense to guarantee product reliability and durability. Environmental Test Engineers also document test results and provide recommendations for design improvements based on their findings.

What are some common challenges faced by Environmental Test Engineers during product qualification testing?

Environmental Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as meeting tight project timelines while ensuring all regulatory and customer requirements are thoroughly tested. Coordinating with cross-functional teams to resolve unexpected test failures or deviations can be demanding, especially when troubleshooting root causes under time pressure. Additionally, adapting test setups to accommodate new or complex products and keeping up with evolving industry standards are ongoing aspects of the role. Effective communication and strong problem-solving skills help overcome these challenges and contribute to successful test outcomes.

What is the difference between Environmental Test Engineer vs Mechanical Test Engineer?

AspectEnvironmental Test EngineerMechanical Test Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in engineering or related field, certifications like ISTA or ISTQBBachelor's in mechanical engineering or related field, certifications like ASQ or ISTA
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, testing facilities, product development sitesManufacturing plants, testing labs, R&D departments
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, electronics, consumer productsAutomotive, aerospace, manufacturing, industrial equipment
Primary FocusTesting products under environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, vibrationTesting mechanical properties, durability, and performance of components

Environmental Test Engineers focus on assessing product performance under environmental conditions, while Mechanical Test Engineers evaluate mechanical properties and durability. Both roles require engineering backgrounds and are essential in product development and quality assurance within similar industries.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes leadership responsibilities or working in high-cost-of-living areas.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior-level environmental test engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and specialized skills in testing and analysis can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $300,000 annually, especially in high-demand industries or with managerial responsibilities. Such roles often require advanced degrees, leadership abilities, and work in industries like aerospace, defense, or automotive testing. Compensation varies based on location, company size, and individual expertise.
What are popular job titles related to Environmental Test Engineer jobs in California? For Environmental Test Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Environmental Test Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Environmental Test Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Environmental Test Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Environmental Test Engineer job openings:
Environmental Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Environmental Test Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,822 per year, or $43.7 per hour.
Environmental Test Engineer

Environmental Test Engineer

Astranis

San Francisco, CA

Other

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Environmental Test Engineer

As an Environmental Test Engineer, you will have the unique challenge of working at the intersection of all engineering disciplines to ensure our hardware meets the highest level of quality and reliability. You will be responsible for planning and executing environmental test campaigns for components, subsystems, and spacecraft, working directly with production and engineering teams to drive hardware from design through qualification.

Role
  • Develop and implement test procedures, standard operating procedures, and tools for environmental test operations and related processes.
  • Define environmental test equipment specifications, identify vendors, qualify equipment, and implement into production.
  • Design and build test setups, fixtures, and support hardware required to safely and effectively test flight hardware.
  • Manage test schedules, track milestones, and communicate progress and risk to program leadership.
  • Operate environmental test equipment and instrumentation; collect, process, and analyze test data, and prepare test reports for stakeholder review.
  • Support troubleshooting, root cause, and corrective action efforts for environmental test process, equipment, procedure, and fixture related issues.
  • Support Design for Test efforts to optimize environmental test production processes.
  • Work closely with and provide direction to technicians during test execution and hardware handling operations.
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering discipline.
  • 2+ years of working experience in testing electronics, electro-mechanical assemblies, or integrated systems.
  • Experience performing one or more types of environmental testing (thermal, thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, acoustic, EMI/EMC, or similar).
  • Experience developing and executing test plans and procedures from engineering requirements.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and drive tasks to completion in a cross-functional environment.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly document and present test results.
  • Must be onsite 5 days a week.
Bonus
  • Experience operating and maintaining thermal chambers, TVAC chambers, or vibration shakers.
  • Hands-on experience using data acquisition systems, instrumentation, or test automation tools (e.g., thermocouples, accelerometers, pressure transducers, Keysight, etc.).
  • Experience with space flight components and spacecraft environmental testing.
  • Experience designing and building electrical harnesses and connectors.
  • Experience operating cranes, man lifts, forklifts, and other handling equipment.
  • Experience in a fast-paced, iterative design environment within the consumer electronics, medical devices, aerospace, marine, or automotive industries.
  • Creative, passionate problem solver who thrives in demanding, autonomously-driven environments.
  • Strong sense of accountability, integrity, and team focus with excellent multitasking and organizational skills.

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