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Lead Test Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As the functional manager for Test, you'll lead a growing team of Test Specialists and Senior Test Engineers while remaining deeply involved in technical decision making. You'll establish department ...

As the functional manager for Test, you'll lead a growing team of Test Specialists and Senior Test Engineers while remaining deeply involved in technical decision making. You'll establish department ...

As the functional manager for Test, you'll lead a growing team of Test Specialists and Senior Test Engineers while remaining deeply involved in technical decision making. You'll establish department ...

Test Specialist

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$40 - $65/hr

We believe abundant nuclear energy will lead to a post-scarcity society. We were incubated inside ... As a Test Specialist you'll take ownership of complex testing operations from setup through ...

Test Specialist

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$40 - $65/hr

We believe abundant nuclear energy will lead to a post-scarcity society. We were incubated inside ... As a Test Specialist you'll take ownership of complex testing operations from setup through ...

Lead Test Engineer 26-049 Invariant is seeking a talented and experienced Lead Test Engineer to ... We're home to engineers, developers, and specialists--web builders of mission-critical systems ...

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Lead Test Specialist information

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$10

$53

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How much do lead test specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead test specialist in the United States is $53.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.67 and $62.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Lead Test Specialist vs Test Engineer?

AspectLead Test SpecialistTest Engineer
CertificationsISTQB, ASQ certifications often preferredISTQB, ISTQB Advanced certifications common
Work EnvironmentQuality assurance teams, testing labs, software developmentDevelopment teams, testing labs, software projects
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, software, healthcare, aerospaceSoftware, electronics, manufacturing, tech industries

While both roles focus on testing, the Lead Test Specialist typically oversees testing processes, manages teams, and ensures quality standards are met. Test Engineers are more involved in designing and executing test cases, analyzing results, and supporting development. The Lead Test Specialist often has leadership responsibilities, whereas Test Engineers focus on technical testing tasks.

How does a lead test specialist typically collaborate with development and product teams during a project lifecycle?

A Lead Test Specialist plays a central role in cross-functional collaboration, especially during the software development lifecycle. They work closely with developers to understand technical requirements and ensure robust test coverage, while also partnering with product managers to clarify user stories and acceptance criteria. Regular meetings and agile ceremonies often involve the Lead Test Specialist to align testing strategies, address defects promptly, and adapt to changing project priorities. This collaborative approach helps ensure the final product meets quality standards and stakeholder expectations.

What is a lead test specialist?

Lead Test Specialists are professionals responsible for overseeing the testing phase of software or product development. They coordinate testing teams, develop testing strategies, and ensure that products meet quality and performance standards before release. Their role often involves planning and executing test cases, identifying and documenting defects, and working closely with developers to resolve issues. Lead Test Specialists also mentor junior testers, manage testing resources, and report testing progress to stakeholders. Their work is crucial in delivering reliable and high-quality products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead test specialist?

To thrive as a Lead Test Specialist, you need expertise in software testing methodologies, test planning, and quality assurance principles, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with test management tools (like JIRA or HP ALM), automation frameworks (such as Selenium), and certifications like ISTQB are typically required. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for coordinating teams and ensuring clear reporting. These competencies are critical for delivering reliable software products and maintaining high standards of quality throughout the development lifecycle.
What cities are hiring for Lead Test Specialist jobs? Cities with the most Lead Test Specialist job openings:
What states have the most Lead Test Specialist jobs? States with the most job openings for Lead Test Specialist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Lead Test Specialist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $110,351 per year, or $53.1 per hour.

Lead Test Engineer

Senra Systems

Cypress, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

At Senra Systems, we believe that the future of manufacturing lies not in automation, but in configuration.
We supercharge electrical wire harness manufacturing through software configuration, transforming skilled assembly tasks into high-throughput production lines. We enable customers to design what they want, when they want it and deliver harness builds at record-breaking speed.
We're building a world-class test organization at Senra Systems and are looking for a Lead Test Engineer to lead it. This role combines deep technical expertise with functional leadership. You'll be responsible for building and leading the test department, establishing scalable processes, developing the team's technical capability, and ensuring every electrical assembly leaving Senra is verified with consistent, repeatable, and robust testing.
As the functional manager for Test, you'll lead a growing team of Test Specialists and Senior Test Engineers while remaining deeply involved in technical decision making. You'll establish department standards, review and approve technical work, drive process improvements, allocate resources across programs, and partner closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, and Program Management. Success in this role isn't measured by the number of test programs you personally write-it's measured by the performance, capability, and scalability of the entire test organization.
What You'll Do
Department Leadership
  • Lead, coach, and develop the Test Engineering organization, including Test Specialists and Senior Test Engineers.
  • Set priorities, allocate resources, and balance workload across multiple customer programs.
  • Conduct hiring, onboarding, performance management, and career development for the test team.
  • Build a culture of ownership, technical excellence, urgency, and continuous improvement.
  • Establish team objectives, KPIs, and development plans aligned with company growth.

Technical Leadership
  • Serve as the highest level technical authority for electrical test across Senra Systems.
  • Review and approve test programs, fixtures, and validation methods before release.
  • Provide technical direction on complex electrical troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and first-build challenges.
  • Develop department-wide standards for test programming, fixture design, documentation, troubleshooting, and validation.
  • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to improve product testability and design-for-manufacturing.

Process Development & Continuous Improvement
  • Design and continuously improve scalable test processes that support rapid company growth.
  • Standardize documentation, workflows, fixtures, and programming practices across all product families.
  • Drive initiatives that improve throughput, first-pass yield, repeatability, automation, and overall test efficiency.
  • Evaluate new test equipment, software, fixtures, and technologies that improve capability and scalability.
  • Develop department metrics and use data to drive operational improvements.

Test Program & Fixture Oversight
  • Provide technical oversight for development and maintenance of test programs across all active production programs.
  • Ensure proper revision control and configuration management of all test assets.
  • Oversee fixture design strategy and standardization.
  • Support development of new automated testing capabilities as the organization scales.

Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management to remove production bottlenecks.
  • Support customer technical reviews, First Article Inspection (FAI), source inspections, and qualification activities.
  • Serve as the escalation point for production-critical testing issues.
  • Participate in design reviews to ensure new products are testable and manufacturable.

Quality & Compliance
  • Ensure all testing complies with customer specifications, IPC/WHMA-A-620, AS9100 requirements, and internal quality standards.
  • Oversee calibration programs, equipment maintenance, and department readiness.
  • Ensure complete traceability of test documentation, Certificates of Conformance, and Nonconformance Reports.

What We're Looking For
Required
  • 8+ years of hands-on experience in electrical test, manufacturing engineering, production test, or a related manufacturing environment.
  • 2+ years leading or managing technical teams in a manufacturing environment.
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
  • Strong understanding of electrical fundamentals, including continuity, resistance, insulation resistance, dielectric withstand (hipot), and Ohm's Law.
  • Extensive experience developing automated electrical test programs and fixtures for complex electromechanical assemblies.
  • Demonstrated expertise with automated wire harness test systems (Cirris strongly preferred).
  • Strong background in electrical troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and failure investigation.
  • Experience reviewing and approving technical work completed by other engineers or specialists.
  • Proven ability to develop standardized engineering processes and technical documentation.
  • Ability to read and interpret wire lists, schematics, connector drawings, and engineering documentation.
  • Working knowledge of IPC/WHMA-A-620 and aerospace quality requirements.
  • Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
  • Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Preferred
  • Experience leading test organizations in an AS9100 or NASA 8739.4 manufacturing environment.
  • Experience with RF cable testing, including insertion loss (S21), return loss, VSWR, and vector network analyzers.
  • Experience supporting customer witness testing, First Article Inspection, and qualification programs.
  • IPC/WHMA-A-620 CIS or CIT certification.
  • Experience implementing new automated test equipment and scalable production test systems.
  • Experience building engineering organizations in a high-growth manufacturing environment.

Success in this Role
Within the first year, success looks like:
  • A high-performing test organization with clear roles, standards, and accountability.
  • Standardized review and approval processes ensure consistent, high-quality test programs across all products.
  • Test Specialists are being actively developed through structured mentorship, coaching, and technical training.
  • Test processes are scalable, documented, and capable of supporting rapid production growth.
  • Test-related production issues are resolved quickly through robust troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
  • Department KPIs-including throughput, first-pass yield, equipment uptime, and test cycle time-are improving quarter over quarter.
  • The test organization is recognized internally as a technical center of excellence and a critical enabler of Senra's manufacturing scale.

Compensation:
  • Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.
  • Salary Range: $170,000-$230,000
  • This is an onsite role at our headquarters in Redondo Beach, CA or Cypress, CA. 10% travel to secondary site is expected.

Benefits:
  • Unmatched opportunities to drive impact on a friendly and mission-driven team
  • Own a piece of the pie with equity participation!
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability coverage
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Spending Account (DSA) for health-related expenses
  • 20 vacation days per year and 12 company holidays for rest and relaxation
  • a 401(k) plan to set yourself up for retirement
  • Choose a record you love, and we'll add it to our growing vinyl collection!
  • $50/month DoorDash credit - lunch is on us!
  • Up to $100/month reimbursement for gym memberships
  • Fully stocked kitchen with snacks and beverages
  • Regular team-building events, lunches, and the occasional breakfast burrito!
  • Bright, open office with communal spaces for collaboration and free parking
  • Conveniently located near the metro, major freeways and local dining spots

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Contact us at jobs@senrasystems.us or visit our website https://senrasystems.us.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. ยง 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. ยง 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Pay range
$170,000-$230,000 USD