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Senior Software Engineer In Test Jobs in Santa Ana, CA

JS Consulting

Senior Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$131K - $173K/yr

In this role, you will own and enhance a customized Android 5-based operating system used within a ... Create and maintain architecture docs, test plans, and traceability matrices. * Ensure ...

Fox

Staff SDET

Los Angeles, CA

As a Staff SDET, you will partner closely with Product, Engineering, Operations, and Delivery teams from the earliest stages of planning through production. You will ensure quality is designed into ...

FOX News Network, LLC

Staff SDET

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

As a Staff SDET, you will partner closely with Product, Engineering, Operations, and Delivery teams from the earliest stages of planning through production. You will ensure quality is designed into ...

ETAP Software

Senior Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$129K - $171K/yr

They are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to maintain and enhance software that supports state ... Required : • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field • ...

Saransh Inc

Automation SDET

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

Automation SDET Location: Newport Beach, CA (Hybrid Onsite - Min 3 days a week onsite is required) Job Type: Contract Experience Required: 7+ Years Skill Metrics: Skills Required Python Yes Jenkins ...

Parallel Systems

Senior Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$132K - $174K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Parallel Systems is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to design, build ... You have implemented and tested major features in simulation and on real hardware at the test site ...

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Senior Software Engineer In Test information

See Santa Ana, CA salary details

$23.4K

$130.7K

$170.1K

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

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software engineer in test in Santa Ana, CA is $130,656.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $149,300.00 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 is a senior software engineer 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 job categories do people searching Senior Software Engineer In Test jobs in Santa Ana, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Software Engineer In Test jobs in Santa Ana, CA are:
What cities near Santa Ana, CA are hiring for Senior Software Engineer In Test jobs? Cities near Santa Ana, CA with the most Senior Software Engineer In Test job openings:
Senior Software Engineer In Test jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Software Engineer In Test job openings in Santa Ana, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,656 per year, or $62.8 per hour.

Software Development Engineer in Test

K2 Space

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$123K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers – we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we'd love for you to apply.

The Role

The software team at K2 builds software across the stack, from gateware & micro firmware to high level satellite control to Ground Software and all the associated testing, and we're looking for an SDET who shares our belief that test infrastructure is a first-class engineering discipline. You will be embedded directly within the flight software team, working shoulder-to-shoulder with the engineers writing the code that flies our spacecraft owning the automation frameworks, test tooling, and HIL infrastructure that make rapid, confident software deployment possible.

This role is not a QA function. You will be a builder. In your first 6 months, you will design and ship core test automation frameworks and integrate them into our CI/CD pipelines. In your first year, you will own end-to-end test coverage across multiple spacecraft subsystems and lead HIL testing campaigns alongside flight software engineers, proving the software is ready to go to space. In your first two years, you will have operated your test systems against hardware that has been launched to orbit.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and own software test frameworks targeting K2's flight software stack, including subsystems for propulsion, GNC, power, thermal, and communications
  • Build and maintain automation tooling that integrates seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines, enabling fast and reliable flight software deployment
  • Develop hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) test infrastructure in close collaboration with flight software engineers
  • Create tooling for test execution, data collection, and anomaly triage that gives engineers clear, actionable signal
  • Reduce flaky and nondeterministic tests; continuously improve coverage, pipeline reliability, and test execution speed
  • Collaborate with flight software, avionics, and systems engineers to define test requirements, write test plans, and execute verification campaigns
  • Analyze test results to identify and characterize failures, and drive resolution across the team
  • Maintain documentation for test infrastructure, procedures, and hardware configurations

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related STEM field, or equivalent professional experience
  • Experience building and maintaining test automation frameworks, not just executing tests written by others
  • Experience with CI/CD systems (e.g., GitLab Pipelines, GitHub Actions, Jenkins) and version control (Git)

Nice to Have

  • Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testbeds or embedded systems testing
  • Experience testing avionics, spacecraft, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other safety-critical hardware
  • Rust programming experience, including embedded or no_std environments
  • Knowledge of real-time operating systems (RTOS) or bare-metal embedded firmware
  • Familiarity with aerospace communication protocols (RS-422/485, Ethernet, UART, SpaceWire, Ethernet)
  • Experience with electronics test equipment: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies
  • Containerization experience (Docker, Kubernetes) for test environment management
  • Experience with Embedded Linux
  • Familiarity with shell scripting

Compensation and Benefits:

  • Base salary range for this role is $123,000 - $175,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, "U.S. Persons" include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a "U.S. Person."

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

Equal Opportunity

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

K2 Space logo

About K2 Space

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2022

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