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Senior Software Quality Engineer Jobs in California

Agilent is seeking a Software Quality Engineer (QA Engineer / Software Test Engineer) to join the Software Quality organization supporting the Automation Productivity Solutions team. This team ...

Software Quality Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$120K - $188K/yr

Agilent is seeking a Software Quality Engineer (QA Engineer / Software Test Engineer) to join the Software Quality organization supporting the Automation Productivity Solutions team. This team ...

Title : Software Quality Engineer Location : Alameda, CA Duration : 12 Month Assignment 100% Onsite Summary : Participates as a member of the Software Quality Assurance (SWQA) team for Abbott ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Software Quality Engineer information

See California salary details

$21.2K

$122.5K

$186.5K

How much do senior software quality engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software quality engineer in California is $122,498.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,700.00 and $135,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Software Quality Engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Senior Software Quality Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing complex test environments, balancing the need for thorough testing with tight project deadlines, and ensuring effective communication across multidisciplinary teams. Addressing these challenges typically involves adopting automation tools to streamline repetitive tests, prioritizing testing efforts based on risk, and fostering strong collaboration with developers and product managers. Continuous learning and staying updated on the latest quality assurance methodologies also help in proactively solving issues and driving high-quality software releases.

What are Senior Software Quality Engineers?

Senior Software Quality Engineers are experienced professionals responsible for ensuring the quality and functionality of software products. They design and implement test plans, develop automated and manual tests, and identify software defects. In addition, they often mentor junior engineers, collaborate with development teams, and help establish best practices for software testing. Their role is crucial in delivering reliable, stable, and user-friendly applications.

What is the difference between Senior Software Quality Engineer vs Software Quality Engineer?

AspectSenior Software Quality EngineerSoftware Quality Engineer
QualificationsTypically requires 5+ years experience, certifications like ISTQB, and advanced testing skillsUsually 1-3 years experience, foundational testing knowledge, and relevant certifications
ResponsibilitiesLeading testing efforts, designing test strategies, mentoring team membersExecuting test cases, reporting bugs, and supporting testing activities
Work EnvironmentOften in senior or lead roles within development teams, collaborating across departmentsPrimarily in QA teams, working under supervision to perform testing tasks
Industry UsageCommon in software development, tech, and IT companiesWidespread across software firms, startups, and enterprise organizations

The main difference between a Senior Software Quality Engineer and a Software Quality Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership roles. Senior professionals typically lead testing efforts and mentor others, while Software Quality Engineers focus on executing tests and supporting quality assurance processes.

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

To thrive as a Senior Software Quality Engineer, you need expertise in software testing methodologies, test automation, and a solid understanding of software development lifecycles, typically backed by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with tools like Selenium, JIRA, Jenkins, and programming languages such as Python or Java, as well as certifications like ISTQB, are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to mentor junior team members are essential soft skills. These competencies ensure the delivery of robust, high-quality software products and help maintain efficient collaboration within development teams.
What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Quality Engineer jobs in California? For Senior Software Quality Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Software Quality Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Software Quality Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Senior Software Quality Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Senior Software Quality Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Software Quality Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 85% In-person, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,498 per year, or $58.9 per hour.
Sr. Software Quality Engineer

Sr. Software Quality Engineer

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


BD rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 140 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

303rd of 486 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

We are the people who give possibilities purpose
BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it's no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us-from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year-to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.
Job Description
Job Summary
As a Sr. Software Quality Engineer at Becton, Dickinson and Company, you will play a critical role in ensuring the quality and reliability of our medical device software. You will be responsible for defining, implementing, and executing robust quality assurance processes throughout the entire software development lifecycle, contributing to the delivery of safe and effective products that positively impact patient care.
Job Responsibilities
  • Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive software quality assurance strategies, plans, and procedures in accordance with industry best practices and regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, ISO 13485, IEC 62304).
  • Experience in being lead SWQA for new product development projects.
  • Ability to understand software risks and develop risk management files for software and system level risk.
  • Lead defect management and CCB meetings to review and disposition project defects
  • Lead and participate in design reviews, code reviews, and other technical assessments to identify potential quality issues early in the development process.
  • Understanding of test plans, test cases, and test scripts for various levels of testing, including unit, integration, system, and regression testing.
  • Perform risk analysis and develop mitigation strategies for software defects and quality-related issues.
  • Understanding of complaints process and metrics
  • Collaborate closely with software development, project management, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure seamless integration of quality activities throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Investigate, analyze, and document software defects, working with development teams to ensure timely resolution and verification.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of software development processes and quality assurance methodologies.
  • Participate in external and internal audits, providing documentation and expertise related to software quality.
  • Stay current with emerging technologies, industry trends, and regulatory changes in medical device software quality.

Job Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related technical field. Master's degree preferred.
  • 5+ years of experience in software quality assurance, with at least 2 years in the medical device industry or another highly regulated environment.
  • Strong understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and their application in a regulated context.
  • In-depth knowledge of relevant medical device regulations and standards, including FDA 21 CFR Part 820 (QSR), ISO 13485, and IEC 62304.
  • Proven experience in designing, implementing, and executing various types of software testing.
  • Proficiency with test management tools (e.g., Polarion, Jira, Azure DevOps) and defect tracking systems. Polarion knowledge is a plus.
  • Experience with automated testing frameworks and tools (e.g., Selenium, Coded UI, Squish) is highly desirable.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
  • Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Why Join Us?
To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you'll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive.
We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face-to-face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success.
To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers.
Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Required Skills
Optional Skills
Primary Work Location
USA CA - Irvine Laguna Canyon
Additional Locations
Work Shift
At BD, we reward, support and develop our associates through our comprehensive Total Rewards program. We are committed to attracting and retaining high quality talent by providing reward and recognition opportunities that promote a performance-based culture, as well as a competitive package of compensation and benefits programs. You can learn more on our career site under "Our Commitment to You."
Our salary or hourly rate ranges reward associates fairly and competitively. We regularly review these ranges and factors, such as location, contribute to the range displayed.
Our pay is based on the role and the necessary skills and education to perform it successfully. The salary or hourly rate offered is determined by the role's specific requirements, including any applicable step rate pay system at the work location. Salary or hourly pay ranges are influenced by labor laws and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requirements applicable to the work location which may also affect the workplace arrangement of the role.
Salary Range Information
$105,500.00 - $168,800.00 USD Annual

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About BD

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BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. We have over 65,000 employees and a presence in virtually every country around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues.

Industry

Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing and manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Franklin Lakes, NJ, US

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