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Junior Software Engineer In Test Jobs in California

SDET

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$59.50 - $77/hr

Role: SDET Location: Sunnyvale, CA(onsite) Key Responsibilities: * Design, develop, and maintain ... Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior QA engineers. Required Skills & Experience:

You will work closely with cross-functional SCRUM teams, contributing to both software validation ... experience in test design and automation for embedded systems . * Strong programming skills in:

We are seeking a motivated Junior Software Engineer (Temporary) to join our Grid & Energy Services ... In this role, the candidate will work closely with senior and principal engineers across teams ...

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Junior Software Engineer In Test information

See California salary details

$45.9K

$93.3K

$140.1K

How much do junior software engineer in test jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior software engineer in test in California is $93,304.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,000.00 and $94,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Junior Software Engineers In Test?

Junior Software Engineers In Test are entry-level professionals who focus on ensuring the quality and reliability of software applications. They write and execute test cases, identify bugs, and collaborate with developers to resolve issues. Their responsibilities often include developing automated tests, maintaining testing frameworks, and reporting on test results. This role provides a foundation in both software development and quality assurance practices, making it an excellent starting point for a career in software engineering or testing.

What are some common challenges faced by Junior Software Engineers In Test when transitioning from manual to automated testing?

Junior Software Engineers In Test often encounter challenges such as learning new automation frameworks, understanding programming concepts, and adapting to complex test environments. It can also be difficult to write effective automated test scripts that are maintainable and scalable. Collaborating with developers and senior QA engineers is key to overcoming these hurdles, as mentorship and code reviews help build confidence and technical skills. Continuous learning and hands-on practice with automation tools like Selenium or Cypress are essential for a smooth transition.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Junior Software Engineer In Test, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Software Engineer In Test, you need a solid understanding of programming fundamentals, basic knowledge of software testing methodologies, and often a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with test automation tools (such as Selenium or JUnit), version control systems (like Git), and continuous integration platforms is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with development teams and ensure high-quality software. These skills are crucial for identifying issues early, maintaining efficient testing processes, and contributing to reliable product releases.

What is the difference between Junior Software Engineer In Test vs Junior QA Engineer?

AspectJunior Software Engineer In TestJunior QA Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field, programming skillsBachelor's in CS, IT, or related field, testing knowledge
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, coding, automationTesting teams, manual and automated testing
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, software firms, startupsSoftware companies, QA departments, IT firms
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Junior Software Engineer In Test roles focus on developing automated tests and coding, often working closely with developers. Junior QA Engineers primarily perform manual testing and basic automation, focusing on quality assurance. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in daily tasks and technical depth.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer In Test jobs in California? The most popular types of Software Engineer In Test jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Junior Software Engineer In Test jobs? Cities in California with the most Junior Software Engineer In Test job openings:
Infographic showing various Junior Software Engineer In Test job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,304 per year, or $44.9 per hour.
Software Development Engineer in Test II

Software Development Engineer in Test II

Brain Corp

San Diego, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Brain Corp is a San Diego, California, USA-based AI company creating transformative core technology for the robotics industry. Our purpose is to create autonomous technology that helps the real world work better. Brain's robotic and AI solutions help retailers ensure that the right product is on the right shelf at the right price, in a clean environment. Through the BrainOSยฎ Robotics Platform, which powers the largest global fleet of the Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) in operation in commercial public spaces, Brain Corp delivers insightful and efficient automated solutions in both commercial floor cleaning and inventory management, empowering organizations and their employees to achieve more. Brain Corp currently powers more than 30,000 AMRs, representing the largest fleet of its kind in the world. Brain Corp is funded by the SoftBank Vision Fund, Clearbridge, and Qualcomm Ventures.
Position Overview:
The Software Development Engineer in Test II (SDET II) is a software engineer who focuses on building and improving the automated systems used to validate modern software applications and services. Working closely with product developers, the SDET II develops test automation, validation tooling, and quality insights that help ensure reliable releases across web applications, cloud services, mobile platforms, and supporting data systems. Unlike traditional QA roles, the SDET II contributes code, automation, and tooling alongside development teams, helping ensure that systems are testable, observable, and scalable throughout the software development lifecycle. This role is expected to contribute directly to engineering work while collaborating with product, development, and quality teams to deliver high-quality software.
Essential Job Functions:
Automation Development & Test Engineering
  • Develop and maintain automated tests and validation tools to verify the functionality and reliability of software applications and services
  • Write and maintain automation code in Python within Linux-based environments, contributing to shared test frameworks and validation tools
  • Implement automated tests for web applications, APIs, and backend services using modern testing frameworks
  • Design and execute validation plans and test strategies that balance automation and exploratory testing
  • Contribute to the evaluation and adoption of modern engineering tools and practices that improve testing efficiency and product quality

Simulation-Based Validation
  • Develop and maintain automated simulation-based tests using tools such as NVIDIA Isaac Sim to validate software behavior in realistic virtual environments
  • Create simulation scenarios that support validation of system functionality and help reproduce complex edge cases

CI/CD & Engineering Workflow Integration
  • Contribute to continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines by integrating automated tests and validation steps
  • Participate in code reviews and design discussions to help ensure systems are testable and maintainable
  • Work with product owners and engineers to define testable requirements and acceptance criteria

Quality Insights & Reporting
  • Assist in building and maintaining quality dashboards and reporting tools that provide insight into system health and test coverage
  • Analyze test results and communicate findings to development teams to support timely issue resolution
  • Ensure traceability between requirements, implementation, and validation activities

Engineering Documentation & Collaboration
  • Write and maintain documentation for test plans, validation approaches, and test results
  • Collaborate with development and product teams to ensure clear validation strategies and reliable feature delivery

AI-Assisted Development & Testing
  • Apply Generative AI (GenAI) tools and techniques to assist with software development, test generation, debugging, and documentation workflows
  • Contribute to efforts that integrate GenAI capabilities into development or product workflows, including experimentation with AI-assisted automation and validation

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
  • 2+ years of professional experience developing software, test automation, or validation tooling for production software systems
  • Demonstrated ability to write and maintain automation code in Python, including developing automated tests or validation utilities in Linux-based environments
  • Hands-on experience implementing automated tests for web applications, APIs, or backend services using modern testing frameworks
  • Practical understanding of software testing methodologies, including unit, integration, and system-level testing
  • Demonstrated experience contributing automated tests to CI/CD pipelines and participating in automated build and test workflows
  • Working knowledge of RESTful APIs and service-based architectures, with the ability to validate service interactions and troubleshoot failures
  • Experience working within the full software development lifecycle in Agile environments, collaborating with developers and product teams
  • Strong debugging and analytical skills, including the ability to investigate failing tests and support root cause analysis
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and technical documentation skills
  • Demonstrated use of Generative AI tools to assist software development or testing workflows, such as generating test cases, debugging assistance, or documentation

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Hands-on experience developing automated tests using modern web testing frameworks such as Playwright, Cypress, or Selenium
  • Working knowledge of containerized development environments (e.g., Docker) and their role in local development or CI workflows
  • Hands-on experience with data processing pipelines or data validation workflows, including validating structured data used by applications or services
  • Exposure to developing or executing simulation-based test scenarios in virtual environments to validate system behavior

Things that make a difference:
  • Master's degree in Computer Science, CE, EE.
  • Experience validating machine learning systems or ML-enabled applications, including model inference services, training data pipelines, or model output validation
  • Experience with NVIDIA Isaac Sim or similar robotics simulation platforms
  • Experience working in environments that combine cloud services, mobile applications, and data platforms
  • Experience in mobile robotics or industrial automation is a plus
  • Experience with common sensors used in robotics, including cameras (RGB and Depth), LIDARs, IMUs and Sonars is a plus

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The physical activity of this position includes, kneeling; reaching; pushing; pulling; sitting, standing and walking for periods of time; using hands to finger and grasp; repetitive motion; talking and hearing. close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines; use of measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes; push or pull up to 20 pounds.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. Employees are exposed to the typical office environment with computers, printers and telephones.
Salary and Benefits:
The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in San Diego, California is $49.40/hr. - $57.21/hr. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc. Brain Corp is a multi-state employer and this salary range may not reflect positions that work in other states.
In addition to base pay, our competitive total rewards package consists of:
  • A discretionary annual target bonus
  • Stock options
  • 401(k) plan with match (no waiting period and immediate vesting)
  • Comprehensive suite of insurance benefits for employees (and their families) to include a variety of medical plan options (including an HSA with employer contribution), dental, vision, life and disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Legal/Identity support plans, pet insurance
  • Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
  • Generous paid time off including accrued vacation, Paid Sick Leave, time off for volunteering in the community, 10 paid company holidays, and a winter company shutdown

Additional Perks include:
  • Daily on-site lunch available in the San Diego office
  • On-campus gym including pool and tennis courts in the San Diego office
  • Opportunities to connect with colleagues including monthly game nights, hikes, wellness challenges, and community events
  • Internal continuous learning events
  • Opportunities to share your own interests and hobbies with the Company