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Network Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

IESE Solutions is seeking a Test Engineer to support the United States Space Force's Program ... network. At IESE Solutions, salaries are determined by various factors including location ...

IESE Solutions is seeking a Test Engineer to support the United States Space Force's Program ... network. At IESE Solutions, salaries are determined by various factors including location ...

IESE Solutions is seeking a Test Engineer to support the United States Space Force's Program ... network. At IESE Solutions, salaries are determined by various factors including location ...

Overview IESE Solutions is seeking a Test Engineer to support the United States Space Force ... network. At IESE Solutions, salaries are determined by various factors including location ...

Job details Job Role Technology Associate Career Role Test Engineer - US Work Location San Jose, CA ... Networking or telecom testing experience. • Knowledge of APN configuration, band locking, NV ...

Job details Job Role Technology Associate Career Role Test Engineer - US Work Location San Jose, CA ... Networking or telecom testing experience. • Knowledge of APN configuration, band locking, NV ...

Job details Job Role Technology Associate Career Role Test Engineer - US Work Location San Jose, CA ... Networking or telecom testing experience. • Knowledge of APN configuration, band locking, NV ...

... engineering teams. • Exposure to test automation is an added advantage." Preferred Skill and ... Networking or telecom testing experience. • Knowledge of APN configuration, band locking, NV ...

QA Test Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$48.50 - $66/hr

... Network Services Risk Management & Compliance Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Security ... QA Test Engineer Job Details As a Sr. Test Engineer you will plan, create, develop and deploy SW ...

Showing results 21-40

Network Test Engineer information

See California salary details

$30.6K

$107.6K

$155.9K

How much do network test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for network test engineer in California is $107,612.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,800.00 and $131,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a network test engineer?

Network Test Engineers are professionals responsible for evaluating, analyzing, and ensuring the quality and performance of computer networks. They develop and execute test plans to identify network issues, validate new network hardware or software, and ensure that systems meet specified requirements. Their work helps organizations maintain reliable, secure, and efficient network infrastructures by troubleshooting problems and recommending improvements.

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

To thrive as a Network Test Engineer, you need a solid understanding of networking protocols, troubleshooting, and test methodologies, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Expertise with network simulation tools (such as Wireshark, Cisco Packet Tracer), test automation frameworks, and certifications like CCNA or CCNP are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you diagnose issues and collaborate with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure reliable network infrastructure, efficient issue resolution, and high-quality performance in complex environments.

What are some common challenges faced by network test engineers during large-scale network deployments?

Network Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing complex configurations, ensuring device interoperability, and maintaining performance standards under heavy traffic loads. During large-scale deployments, coordinating tests across multiple devices and locations can require meticulous planning and effective collaboration with network architects, developers, and operations teams. Troubleshooting unexpected issues quickly and documenting test results accurately are crucial for minimizing downtime and ensuring a smooth rollout.

What is the difference between Network Test Engineer vs Network Support Engineer?

AspectNetwork Test EngineerNetwork Support Engineer
CertificationsCCNA, CompTIA Network+CCNA, CompTIA Network+
Work EnvironmentTesting labs, network simulation environmentsHelp desks, on-site support, troubleshooting
Primary FocusDesigning and executing network tests, validating performanceMaintaining, troubleshooting, and resolving network issues
Industry UsageTelecom, IT, networking vendorsIT departments, service providers

While both roles require networking certifications and involve working with network systems, the Network Test Engineer primarily focuses on testing and validating network performance and reliability. In contrast, the Network Support Engineer handles ongoing support, troubleshooting, and resolving network issues in real-time. Both roles are essential in ensuring network integrity but differ in their core responsibilities and work environments.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Network Test Engineer job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $107,612 per year, or $51.7 per hour.

Senior Test Automation Engineer, onsite in Petaluma, California

Petaluma, CA • On-site

Ciena Corporation
Telecommunications • 5 - 10K employees

$192/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We're a technology company that leads with our humanity-driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.
Reporting to the Senior Manager, SVT/PV Engineering, as a Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Test Engineer, you will play an important role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of Ciena's industry-leading networking products. You will collaborate with software developers, systems engineers, and product teams to validate new features and solutions through comprehensive automated testing.
You will contribute to the development of next-generation networking solutions by designing, developing, and maintaining automated test suites that improve product quality and accelerate software delivery. Working across multiple Ciena product lines, you will help ensure that products meet customer requirements and are ready for deployment in carrier-grade and enterprise environments.
  • Design, develop, execute, and maintain automated test cases and test suites for software features, system functionality, and customer use cases.
  • Develop and enhance automation frameworks to improve test coverage, scalability, efficiency, and maintainability.
  • Create and execute functional, integration, system, regression, and solution-level test plans to validate product capabilities and software releases.
  • Analyze test results, identify defects, perform root-cause analysis, and work closely with development teams to resolve issues.
  • Participate in design reviews, requirements reviews, and test planning activities to ensure quality is incorporated throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Support continuous integration and continuous testing initiatives by integrating automated test suites into Jenkins pipelines.
  • Build and maintain test environments, configure test topologies, and validate networking solutions under realistic deployment scenarios.
  • Collaborate effectively with software development, systems engineering, product management, and other quality engineering teams to support successful feature delivery.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of automation practices, testing methodologies, and overall product quality.
  • Act as a customer advocate when designing and executing test cases. Act on behalf of customer to suggest improvements.

The Must Haves:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • 5+ years of experience in software quality assurance, test automation, software development, or related engineering roles.
  • Experience developing automated test solutions using Python or other object-oriented programming languages.
  • Experience creating, executing, and maintaining automated test cases and regression test suites.
  • Experience working in Linux-based development and test environments.
  • Understanding of software development lifecycles, quality assurance methodologies, and defect management processes.
  • Experience using version control and development tools such as Git, Bitbucket, and JIRA.
  • Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and isolate software defects.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within cross-functional engineering teams.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Nice to Haves:
  • Experience with Passive Optical Network (PON) technologies, including GPON, XGS-PON.
  • Familiarity with Optical Line Terminal (OLT) and Optical Network Unit (ONU/ONT) architectures, operation, and deployment scenarios.
  • Knowledge of PON-related standards and protocols, including ITU-T specifications and OMCI.
  • Knowledge of networking fundamentals including Ethernet, TCP/IP, IPv4, IPv6, routing, and switching protocols.
  • Experience with traffic generation and network test tools such as Ixia, Spirent, Xena, or equivalent platforms.
  • Experience troubleshooting and analyzing packet captures, protocol traces, and system logs to identify root causes of networking and service issues.
  • Experience working with test management and collaboration tools such as TestRail and Confluence.
  • Experience troubleshooting broadband access networks and analyzing protocol traces, packet captures, and system logs.
  • Familiarity with broadband service delivery technologies, including VLANs, QoS, DHCP, PPPoE, and multicast services.
  • Knowledge of software quality assurance practices for carrier-grade networking products with a focus on reliability, scalability, and customer deployment scenarios.
  • Exposure to AI-assisted development tools and automation technologies

Pay Range: The salary range for this role in Petaluma, California is $120, 500 - $192, 500
Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.
Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.