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Senior Software Engineer In Test Jobs in California

Senior Software Engineer in Test

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$129K - $168K/yr

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

Sr. SDET

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$58.25 - $75.25/hr

They are seeking a Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to ensure the quality, reliability, and performance of billing systems within the Clover EMEA platform. Responsibilities : โ€ข ...

Senior SDET

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

Senior SDET Location: El Segundo, California, US (hybrid 2-3 days per week) Duration: 6+ Months We need to focus on profiles with good Appium, Selenium and strong Java programming skills, and less ...

Sr. SDET

Sunnyvale, CA

$108K - $163K/yr

Job Title Sr. SDET About Clover Clover is a pioneer in the fintech space, dedicated to transforming the way small and medium-sized businesses operate. As a part of Fiserv, we provide an all-in-one ...

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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 Jul 8, 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:
Infographic showing various Senior Software Engineer In Test job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 80% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,916 per year, or $59.6 per hour.
Senior Software Engineer in Test

Senior Software Engineer in Test

Intuitive

Sunnyvale, CA โ€ข On-site

$129K - $168K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Company Description

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies-like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion-have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We're a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful-because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

If you're ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you'll find your purpose here.

Job Description

Primary Function of Position
Responsible for software testing of Intuitive's new robotic platform. The successful candidate is an individual with high energy, ownership, integrity, and accountability that will develop software to support software verification and develop/execute test protocols for robotic surgical systems.

Essential Job Duties

As a Software Engineer in Test in the intuitive team, you will be responsible for:

  • Develop software tests and scripts that automate testing processes
  • Contribute to Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment pipeline development and workflow enhancement
  • Contribute to project content and overall test plan oversight, including definition of test coverage requirements, test plan generation, approval, execution, and archival of results
  • Analyze test data, identify non-conformance trends, generate dashboards to represent concise executive summaries, and recommend design improvements
  • Contribute to the strategy for reliability assessment and verification of robotic surgical systems and instruments
  • Log issues found within the issue tracking system; work with software and cross-functional teams to debug
Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

  • Minimum 5 years of experience working with embedded systems and electromechanical systems
  • Strong experience with Python is required
  • Troubleshooting mindset, an ability to break down a system or process systematically and effectively into subparts to identify failure mechanisms
  • Excellent documentation skills and ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization with high attention to detail
  • Passionate and committed to the highest product quality.ย  Proven ability to proactively engage with the unknown/unfamiliar, learn how things work and apply that learning to new challenges

Required Education and Training

  • BS or above in Computer Science and Engineering or related fields

Working Conditions

  • None

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Strong working experience with C/C++
  • Experience with Machine Learning Techniques
  • Experience with Matlab
  • Experience with Linux environments
Additional Information

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.ย  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer.ย We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:ย ย In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR 743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employeeswho are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government's licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan ("TCP") (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).ย ย 

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee'sstart date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes.ย 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate's experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate's qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.