ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Senior Systems Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Waymo

Systems Test Engineer, Sensing

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$196K - $242K/yr

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building

Form Energy

Staff Test Engineer, Systems Test

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$147K - $184K/yr

Are you ready to build America's energy future? Form Energy is an American manufacturing and energy technology company. We're revolutionizing energy storage with cost-effective, multi-day technology

HPTech Inc.

Systems Test Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Location: San Jose / REMOTE * Working Knowledge of Python and SQL - At least 2 years * Prior Experience working on Waymo/Similar auto domain. * System Testing and Defect Triaging, ensuring that our

AeroVironment, Inc.

Systems Test Engineer I

Moorpark, CA · On-site

$66K - $101K/yr

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary The System Test Engineer I develops and executes System Test Plans for small, unmanned air vehicles and missiles and their associated subsystems. Testing

AeroVironment

Systems Test Engineer I

Moorpark, CA · On-site

$66K - $101K/yr

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary The System Test Engineer I develops and executes System Test Plans for small, unmanned air vehicles and missiles and their associated subsystems. Testing

L3HHCM20

Lead, Systems Test Engineering

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$127K - $236K/yr

Job Title: Lead, Systems Test Engineer Job code: 38608 Job Location: Carlsbad, California Job Schedule: 9/80- employees work 9 out of 14 days, totaling 80 hours worked- and have every other Friday

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsSystems Test Engineer JobsSenior Systems Test Engineer JobsSenior Systems Test Engineer Jobs in California

Senior Systems Test Engineer information

See California salary details

$67.6K

$117K

$166.3K

How much do senior systems test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior systems test engineer in California is $116,964.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,200.00 and $134,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Systems Test Engineer vs Systems Test Engineer?

AspectSenior Systems Test EngineerSystems Test Engineer
CertificationsISTQB, ISTQB AdvancedISTQB Foundation, ISTQB Certified Tester
Work EnvironmentLead testing projects, mentor junior staffExecute test plans, report bugs
ResponsibilitiesDesign test strategies, oversee testing phasesDevelop test cases, perform testing

The Senior Systems Test Engineer typically has more experience, leadership responsibilities, and involvement in planning and strategy, while the Systems Test Engineer focuses on executing tests and reporting issues. Both roles require similar certifications and work in testing environments within the same industry, but the senior role emphasizes oversight and mentorship.

What cities in California are hiring for Senior Systems Test Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Senior Systems Test Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Systems Test Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,964 per year, or $56.2 per hour.

Sr. Principal Systems Test Engineer - Test Director

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Edwards, CA

$129K - $193K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 361 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 538 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Sr. Principal Systems Test Engineer - Test Director to join the team of qualified individuals. Position will be in Edwards AFB, CA or Palmdale, CA.

The System Test IPT is seeking a Sr. Principal System Test Engineer to serve as a Test Director for the Flight Test Department. The Test Director supervises the execution of test missions, with a primary focus on safety, execution efficiency, standards, and test discipline. The Test Director ensures mission preparation is completed in accordance with local procedures, oversees the scheduling of resources and assets, and coordinates with all engineering disciplines and external agencies to ensure successful test execution. The Test Director safeguards sensitive and critical test information and adheres to the relevant Security Classification Guide. The Test Director has the authority to terminate the test event if the technical validity of the test is in question or safety jeopardized. Finally, the Test Director also helps to develop and review flight test plans and safety plans.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Brief pre- and post-event meetings
  • Supports test readiness reviews
  • Provides mission control room support and makes real-time decisions regarding safety, security, effectiveness, and efficiency.
  • Supports simulations
  • Conducts and contributes to pre and post-test data analyses to support anomaly identification and resolution.
  • Instructs other test directors, experience permitting
  • Brief upper management on event outcomes and planning

This position requires outstanding written and oral communications skills. Individuals must be able to work without appreciable direction to develop solutions to complex problems; must be able to work both within a team environment and independently; must be self-motivated, thorough, and detailed; and must be willing to learn additional engineering discipline areas.

Position requires willingness to accept changing and evolving roles & responsibilities in support of customers' requirements and need.

We offer flexible work arrangements, 4/10 work schedule with every Friday off, phenomenal learning opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of projects and customers, and a very friendly team environment. We are looking for self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented people to help us grow our services and become even better at what we do.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 8 years of related professional/military experience OR a Master's degree AND 6 years of related professional/military experience OR a Ph.D. AND 4 years of related professional/military experience.
  • Must have an active US Government Top Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
  • Maturity and professionalism to lead the execution of flight test missions, briefings and oversee team of test control and discipline engineers in Mission Control Room.
  • Effectively function and make decisions in dynamic, high-pressure environments
  • Mission control experience
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office
  • Ability to work odd shifts, weekends and/or overtime.
  • Work well in a team environment as well as independently.
  • Ability to adhere to rules and regulations, and willingness to help change rules and regulations as applicable.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • FAA pilot rating
  • Military operations experience
  • Previous experience as aircrew member (Pilot, EWO, NAV, etc.)
  • Advanced Flight Test Operations and Control Room experience
  • Developmental Test and Operational Test operations experience.
  • Previous qualification as a Test Conductor/Director
  • Test Pilot School Graduate
Primary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

What Northrop Grumman employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Northrop Grumman logo

About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

View All Northrop Grumman Jobs

Apply