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Junior Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Inversion

Senior Avionics Test Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$137K - $193K/yr

Mentor junior test engineers, standardizing data-driven analysis techniques and automated test suite architectures. Required Qualifications * Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S ...

Inversion

Senior Avionics Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$137K - $193K/yr

Mentor junior test engineers, standardizing data-driven analysis techniques and automated test suite architectures. Required Qualifications * Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S ...

Advanced Micro Devices

Test Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Mentor staff and junior engineers. * Establish technical best practices and drive engineering ... Deep expertise in semiconductor test development, ATE systems, and product bring-up. * Strong ...

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc

Test Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Mentor staff and junior engineers. * Establish technical best practices and drive engineering ... Deep expertise in semiconductor test development, ATE systems, and product bring-up. * Strong ...

Abbott

Senior Software Test Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$125K - $162K/yr

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

Rantec Power Systems Inc.

Test Engineer

Los Osos, CA · On-site

Guide junior engineers and support staff on automated test execution and test equipment troubleshooting. * Ability to work flexible hours and/or different shifts, as required. * Ability to work in a ...

Rantec Power Systems, Inc.

Test Engineer

Los Osos, CA · On-site

$80K - $137K/yr

Guide junior engineers and support staff on automated test execution and test equipment troubleshooting. * Ability to work flexible hours and/or different shifts, as required. * Ability to work in a ...

Doist

Senior Electrical Hardware Test Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$175 - $208/hr

Guide and mentor junior test and hardware engineers, establish engineering best practices for the test team, and lead technical design reviews for test infrastructure. * Create custom electrical or ...

ASSA ABLOY

Sr. Test Engineer

Cypress, CA

You will collaborate with global teams, mentor junior engineers, and drive continuous improvement ... As our Senior Test Engineer, you'll support HID's success by: * Designing, developing, and ...

Crane Co.

LabVIEW Test Engineer

Burbank, CA · On-site

$95 - $138.58/hr

Mentor junior engineers and others in the area of expertise.* Provide support of activities in collaboration with other technical, operations, quality, and business disciplines.* Design test ...

Long Wall

Lead Test Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$145 - $185/hr

Prior experience mentoring junior engineers or technicians, or serving as a technical lead. * Strong understanding of safety processes, hazard analysis, and high‑energy test operations. * Excellent ...

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Junior Test Engineer information

See California salary details

$33.1K

$70.9K

$108.1K

How much do junior test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior test engineer in California is $70,859.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,900.00 and $79,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a junior test engineer?

Junior Test Engineers are entry-level professionals responsible for assisting in the testing of software, hardware, or systems to ensure they meet quality standards. They typically write and execute test cases, identify software bugs, and collaborate with developers to resolve issues. Junior Test Engineers often work under the guidance of senior testers or quality assurance leads, gaining hands-on experience with testing tools and methodologies. Their role is crucial in ensuring that products are reliable and function as intended before release.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior test engineer?

To thrive as a Junior Test Engineer, you need foundational knowledge of software testing principles, attention to detail, and typically a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with test management tools (like JIRA or TestRail), scripting languages (such as Python), and automated testing frameworks is highly beneficial. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and a proactive attitude are essential soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for identifying software defects, ensuring product quality, and collaborating efficiently with development teams.

What are some typical challenges a junior test engineer may face during their first year, and how can they overcome them?

During the first year, Junior Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as understanding complex software systems, adapting to various testing tools, and managing tight project deadlines. It's common to feel overwhelmed when learning new automation frameworks or interpreting detailed bug reports. Overcoming these challenges involves proactively seeking mentorship from senior team members, participating in training sessions, and regularly communicating with developers and QA leads to clarify requirements. Embracing continuous learning and openly discussing any roadblocks can accelerate skill development and build confidence in the role.

What is the difference between Junior Test Engineer vs QA Tester?

AspectJunior Test EngineerQA Tester
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles prefer certifications like ISTQBHigh school diploma; ISTQB certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams, testing labs, Agile/Scrum environmentsTesting teams, software companies, quality assurance departments
Common UsageEntry-level role focused on executing test cases and reporting bugsEntry to mid-level role focused on manual testing and defect tracking

Both roles are entry-level testing positions within software development. A Junior Test Engineer often involves more technical tasks, such as writing test scripts, whereas a QA Tester primarily executes manual tests. The roles overlap in skills and work environment, but the Junior Test Engineer may have additional responsibilities related to test automation and scripting.

Is QA a good entry-level job?

A Junior Test Engineer role is generally considered a good entry-level position for those interested in software quality assurance, as it provides foundational skills in testing methodologies, scripting, and tools like Selenium or JIRA. It offers opportunities to learn about software development processes and can serve as a stepping stone to more advanced roles in QA or software engineering.

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Junior Test Engineer jobs in California?

For Junior Test Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Junior Test Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Junior Test Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Junior Test Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Junior Test Engineer job openings:

Junior Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Test Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,859 per year, or $34.1 per hour.

Principal Test Engineer - Industrial Automation & SCADA

Aveva

Lake Forest, CA

$130K - $217K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

AVEVA is creating software trusted by over 90% of leading industrial companies.

Salary Range:

$130,500.00 - $217,700.00

This pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation that the position offers, and final compensation can vary within the range depending on work location, job experience, skills, and relevant educational attainment and/or training.

Job Title:Principal Test Engineer - Industrial Automation & SCADA

Location:Lake Forest, CA

Employment Type: Full-time, Hybrid

The job

We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Product Test Engineer to join our Monitoring and Control Business within the Operations BU of AVEVA.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for owning the test strategy, planning, and execution for our Enterprise SCADA product stack - spanning visualization, alarm subsystem, historization, and device integration. This role involves designing and executing scalability, performance, and reliability tests for real-time industrial automation products, validating new features, and reproducing and diagnosing customer-reported issues in close collaboration with development teams. The position requires deep expertise in hands-on testing of real-time industrial automation software, with strong grounding in SCADA architectures, industrial communication protocols, and field-level devices such as PLCs and IoT gateways.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own the end-to-end test strategy and execution for the SCADA product stack, including Visualization, Alarm Subsystem, Historization, and Device Integration.

  • Design, plan, and execute scalability, performance, load, and endurance tests for real-time industrial automation products.

  • Validate new features across the driver framework and platform components; reproduce, isolate, and triage customer-reported issues from deployed versions.

  • Design and execute end-to-end validation against industrial communication protocols, including:

    • OPC UA

    • MQTT (Sparkplug and JSON-based)

    • Allen Bradley CIP (ABCIP)

    • Siemens S7 / S7-SiDirect

    • OMRON

    • CODESYS

  • Set up and validate against real hardware - PLCs, IoT devices, and gateways - as well as simulators and emulators representative of customer deployments.

  • Build and evolve automated test frameworks; contribute Python-based scripting for test automation, test data generation, and log analysis.

  • Apply AI tools and technologies to test authoring, execution triage, failure analysis, and coverage optimization.

  • Utilize debugging and diagnostic tools such as Wireshark, Debug Diag, and Perfmon to isolate performance and reliability issues.

  • Collaborate with geographically distributed teams and work across multiple stakeholders including Technical Support, End Customers, and Internal Engineering Teams.

  • Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior test engineers and drive quality culture and test discipline across the program.

Essential Requirement

  • 12+ years of hands-on product test experience with real-time industrial automation products.

  • Deep expertise in testing SCADA software stacks - Visualization, Alarm Subsystem, Historization, and Device Integration.

  • Proven track record designing and executing scalability, performance, and reliability tests for real-time systems.

  • Working knowledge of PLCs and IoT-based devices and technologies, including bring-up, configuration, and validation against them.

  • Hands-on familiarity with industrial automation protocols: MQTT (Sparkplug/JSON), OPC UA, ABCIP, S7-SiDirect, OMRON, and CODESYS.

  • Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills on Windows-based applications, with the ability to partner with developers on complex defects.

  • Excellent problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to reproducing and isolating hard-to-catch issues.

  • Strong communication skills and ability to work in a team-oriented environment.

Desired Skill

  • Hands-on experience with Python for scripting and test automation.

  • Experience applying AI tools and technologies to testing and test automation - test generation, log/triage analysis, and coverage insights.

  • Prior experience working on AVEVA System Platform products (or equivalent enterprise SCADA/HMI platforms).

  • Exposure to Linux environments and containerized deployments.

  • Familiarity with performance profiling, memory analysis, and network trace analysis techniques.

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment with cross-functional teams.

Behavioral Skills

  • Strong team player with the ability to work across geographically distributed and diverse teams.

  • Able to multi-task and prioritize effectively across multiple products and programs.

  • Familiarity and comfort with Agile methodologies and iterative delivery.

  • Excellent communication skills for working with Technical Support, End Customers, and other stakeholders.

If you are a seasoned test engineering leader with a passion for industrial automation and SCADA systems, we invite you to join our team and help shape the quality, scalability, and reliability of our Enterprise SCADA solutions for AVEVA.

R&D at AVEVA

Our global team of 2000+ developers work on an incredibly diverse portfolio of over 75 industrial automation and engineering products, which cover everything from data management to 3D design. AI and cloud are at the centre of our strategy, and we have over 150 patents to our name.

Our track record of innovation is no fluke - it's the result of a structured and deliberate focus on learning, collaboration and inclusivity. If you want to build applications that solve big problems, join us.

Find out more: aveva.com/en/about/careers/r-and-d-careers/


USA Benefits include:

Flex work hours, 20 days PTO rising to 25 with service, three paid volunteering days, primary and secondary parental leave, well-being support, medical, dental, vision, and 401K.


It's possible we're hiring for this position in multiple countries, in which case the above benefits apply to the primary location. Specific benefits vary by country, but our packages are similarly comprehensive.


Find out more: aveva.com/en/about/careers/benefits/


Hybrid working

We work in a hybrid way at AVEVA. Most roles are based at a local AVEVA office, with an expectation of being on-site 50% of your working hours to support collaboration and connection. Some positions are fully office-based depending on the nature of the work, and certain roles that support specific customers or markets may be remote. The working arrangement for this position will be confirmed during the hiring process.


Hiring process

Interested? Great! Get started by submitting your cover letter and CV through our application portal. AVEVA is committed to recruiting and retaining people with disabilities. Please let us know in advance if you need reasonable support during your application process.


Find out more: aveva.com/en/about/careers/hiring-process


About AVEVA

AVEVA is a global leader in industrial software with more than 6,500 employees in over 40 countries. Our cutting-edge solutions are used by thousands of enterprises to deliver the essentials of life - such as energy, infrastructure, chemicals, and minerals - safely, efficiently, and more sustainably.


We are committed to embedding sustainability and inclusion into our operations, our culture, and our core business strategy. Learn more about how we are progressing against our ambitious 2030 targets: sustainability-report.aveva.com/


Find out more: aveva.com/en/about/careers/


AVEVA requires all successful applicants to undergo and pass a drug screening and comprehensive background check before they start employment. Background checks will be conducted in accordance with local laws and may, subject to those laws, include proof of educational attainment, employment history verification, proof of work authorization, criminal records, identity verification, credit check. Certain positions dealing with sensitive and/or third-party personal data may involve additional background check criteria.


AVEVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to being an exemplary employer with an inclusive culture, developing a workplace environment where all our employees are treated with dignity and respect. We value diversity and the expertise that people from different backgrounds bring to our business. AVEVA provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify your recruiter. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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