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Senior Software Engineer In Test Jobs in California

Senior Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

... a Senior SDET you will understand the technical design of applications and ensure testability of the developed components • You will build test automation with the goal of providing maximum ...

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Senior SDET

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

Overview We are looking for a highly technical Senior SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) to join a long-term enterprise project focused on building scalable, high-quality applications and ...

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Senior SDET

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

Overview We are looking for a highly technical Senior SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) to join a long-term enterprise project focused on building scalable, high-quality applications and ...

New

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Senior SDET

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

Overview We are looking for a highly technical Senior SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) to join a long-term enterprise project focused on building scalable, high-quality applications and ...

New

Senior Software Engineer (Java) in Test

Burbank, CA · On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

Senior Software Engineer in Test Team : Global Quality Engineering Location : New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco Overview Paramount Skydance Corp. is seeking a Senior Software Engineer in Test ...

Senior Software Engineer in Test

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$129K - $168K/yr

Essential Job Duties As a Senior Software Engineer in Test in the intuitive team, you will be responsible for: Develop software tests and scripts that automate testing processes Contribute to ...

Sr. Software Engineer in Test

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$129K - $168K/yr

As an SDET at Yugabyte, you will design sophisticated automation and chaos-testing frameworks that simulate real-world disasters to validate our database's core promises. You'll dive deep into cross ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Software Engineer In Test information

See California salary details

$22.2K

$123.9K

$161.4K

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

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software engineer in test in California is $123,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,100.00 and $141,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Software Engineer In Test vs Software Development Engineer in Test?

AspectSenior Software Engineer In TestSoftware Development Engineer in Test
CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field, experience in testing and automationBachelor's in CS or related field, strong coding skills, experience in testing
Work EnvironmentDesigning test strategies, automation frameworks, collaborating with development teamsDeveloping test tools, writing automated tests, integrating testing into CI/CD pipelines
Industry UsageCommon in tech companies, especially in QA and testing teamsWidely used in software development companies focusing on automation

The main difference is that Senior Software Engineer In Test often focuses on testing strategy and automation leadership, while Software Development Engineer in Test emphasizes developing testing tools and automation code. Both roles require strong coding skills and testing experience, but their focus areas differ slightly within the testing lifecycle.

What are some typical challenges a Senior Software Engineer in Test faces when designing automated testing frameworks?

Senior Software Engineers in Test often encounter challenges such as integrating automated tests with complex, evolving codebases and ensuring tests remain reliable as features change. Balancing thorough test coverage with execution speed, especially in continuous integration environments, is another common concern. Additionally, collaborating with both development and QA teams to align on testing strategies and maintaining documentation for test frameworks are key responsibilities that require strong communication and adaptability.

What are Senior Software Engineers in Test?

Senior Software Engineers in Test are experienced professionals who design, develop, and implement automated testing frameworks and tools to ensure the quality and reliability of software products. They work closely with development and QA teams to identify testing needs, create robust test plans, and write automated scripts that validate software functionality. In addition to hands-on coding, they often mentor junior engineers, drive process improvements, and contribute to the overall testing strategy of the organization.

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

To thrive as a Senior Software Engineer in Test, you need a deep understanding of software development, test automation frameworks, and a background in computer science or a related field. Mastery of tools like Selenium, Jenkins, JUnit, and experience with CI/CD systems, as well as relevant certifications such as ISTQB, are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills set top candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring robust, scalable, and reliable software delivery in complex technical environments.
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 are popular job titles related to Senior Software Engineer In Test jobs in California? For Senior Software Engineer In Test jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in California are hiring for Senior Software Engineer In Test jobs? Cities in California with the most Senior Software Engineer In Test job openings:
Senior Software Engineer in Test

Senior Software Engineer in Test

Mainspring Energy

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

$130K - $169K/yr

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Mainspring Energy is revolutionizing power generation with innovative technology. The Senior Software Engineer in Test will join a world-class engineering team to build and run automated testing systems, ensuring product quality and engaging with developers to create innovative testing solutions.
Responsibilities:
• Architect Automation: Design and scale robust test frameworks and CI/CD integrations
• System Validation: Create workflows to validate complex hardware/software integrations and resolve system-level bottlenecks
• Root Cause Analysis: Lead failure analysis and risk mitigation to ensure test stability and environment reliability
• Strategic Coverage: Drive risk-based testing strategies to ensure comprehensive coverage of all critical-path functionalities
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field with 6+ years of professional experience, or a Master’s degree with 5+ years in an SDET or Software Engineering role
• A driven, self-directed contributor who views test infrastructure as a first-class product; you thrive on architecting scalable, automated systems that increase developer velocity
• Proven track record of leading complex automation projects from design to implementation, with the foundational ability to perform deep-dive manual exploratory testing and technical test case design
• Strong hands-on experience developing in Python and C++, with the flexibility to navigate and contribute to diverse codebases as the project requires
• Demonstrated proficiency in leveraging AI coding assistants as a force multiplier for productivity, combined with the professional judgment to challenge and expand upon AI-generated solutions to ensure system integrity and long-term maintainability
Company:
Mainspring Energy provides power generation technology using linear generators for clean energy. Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in Menlo Park, USA, with a team of 201-500 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.