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Senior Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Test Engineer

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$128K - $160K/yr

Role Description Form Energy is hiring a Senior Test Engineer to join our Test Engineering team. In this position, you will design, develop, and implement test strategies and prioritizing tests, in ...

What You'll Do As a Senior Test Engineer at Inversion, you will own the planning and execution of critical mechanical test campaigns for one of the most capable reentry vehicles ever developed. You ...

What You'll Do As a Senior Test Engineer at Inversion, you will own the planning and execution of critical mechanical test campaigns for one of the most capable reentry vehicles ever developed. You ...

This role focuses on end-to-end system testing and post-deployment verification, working closely with and taking technical direction from the Test Architect and Senior Test Engineer while bringing ...

Senior Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$137 - $193/hr

What You'll Do As a Senior Test Engineer at Inversion, you will own the planning and execution of critical mechanical test campaign's for one of the most capable reentry vehicles ever developed. You ...

Senior Test Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $225K/yr

Astro Mechanica is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate is someone who is capable of designing, fabricating, operating, and improving on complex mechanical ...

Senior Test Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$100 - $130/hr

About the Role We are seeking a Senior Test Engineer to design and implement mission‑critical procedures for reactor operators managing our groundbreaking nuclear microreactor technology. This role ...

Sr. Test Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

As a Senior Test Engineer, you'll take ownership of the characterization, development, and production testing of advanced uncooled and cooled infrared readouts, focal plane arrays, and Dewars. You'll ...

Contribute to test plans, test protocols, and test reports under the guidance of senior engineers, ensuring documentation meets QMS expectations. * Participate in tool validation activities for test ...

Sr. Test Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

As a Senior Test Engineer, you'll take ownership of the characterization, development, and production testing of advanced uncooled and cooled infrared readouts, focal plane arrays, and Dewars. You'll ...

Senior Test Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$133K - $184K/yr

About the Role We are seeking a Senior Test Engineer to design and implement mission-critical procedures for reactor operators managing our groundbreaking nuclear microreactor technology. This role ...

Senior Test Engineer - Space Solar Hardware Position Details Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA Employment Type: Full-time Department: Starlight Solar Travel: Occasional About Starpath Starpath ...

Showing results 21-40

Senior Test Engineer information

See California salary details

$67.6K

$117K

$166.3K

How much do senior test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior 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 Test Engineer vs QA Analyst?

AspectSenior Test EngineerQA Analyst
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; experience in testing; certifications like ISTQBBachelor's in IT, Computer Science, or related; testing experience; ISTQB certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams; involved in test planning, automation, and executionQuality assurance teams; focuses on manual testing, documentation, and process improvement
Industry UsageUsed across software, tech, and IT industries for testing rolesCommon in software development, IT, and tech sectors for quality assurance

While both roles focus on software quality, Senior Test Engineers typically handle more complex testing tasks, automation, and test strategy, whereas QA Analysts often focus on manual testing, documentation, and process adherence. The Senior Test Engineer role usually requires more technical expertise and experience in automation tools.

How does a senior test engineer typically collaborate with development and product teams during the software release cycle?

As a Senior Test Engineer, you will work closely with software developers and product managers throughout the software release cycle. You'll participate in design and requirement reviews to identify potential quality issues early, help define testing strategies, and provide feedback on testability. Regular communication and collaboration are essential, as you'll often coordinate test plans, report on defects, and ensure that issues are resolved before release. This cross-functional teamwork not only helps deliver high-quality software but also broadens your understanding of the product and enhances your problem-solving skills.

How much does a senior test engineer earn?

A senior test engineer typically earns between $80,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often have expertise in automation tools and testing frameworks, which can influence salary levels.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior test engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Test Engineer, you need advanced knowledge of software testing methodologies, test automation, and quality assurance principles, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Expertise with automation tools such as Selenium, JUnit, or TestNG, and familiarity with CI/CD systems like Jenkins are often required, as well as certifications like ISTQB. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring software reliability, optimizing testing processes, and collaborating effectively with development teams.

What is a senior test engineer?

Senior Test Engineers are experienced professionals responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing testing processes to ensure the quality and reliability of software products or systems. They develop test plans, create automated and manual test cases, and collaborate with developers and other stakeholders to identify and resolve issues. Their role often includes mentoring junior team members, improving testing strategies, and ensuring that products meet industry standards and customer requirements.
What are the most commonly searched types of Test Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Test Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Test Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Test Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Senior Test Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Senior Test Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Test Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,964 per year, or $56.2 per hour.

Senior Test Engineer

Form Energy

Berkeley, CA • On-site

$128K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 8 hours ago


Job description

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 designed to keep the electric grid secure and reliable, even during extended periods of stress. By strengthening the electric system and reimagining what's possible, we're giving clean energy a whole new form!
In recent years, Form Energy has earned a number of accolades, including being named by TIME as a "Best Invention", MIT Technology Review as a "Top Climate Tech Company To Watch", and Fast Company as "One of the Next Big Things In Tech". We are making rapid progress on our mission of delivering energy storage for a better world, and our team is growing just as rapidly to meet demand. We have signed contracts with leading electric utilities across the United States and production of our iron-air batteries is underway at our first high-volume manufacturing facility in West Virginia.
Working for Form Energy is more than just a job, it's a chance to be part of something extraordinary. And now - right as we significantly scale up battery manufacturing - might be the most exciting moment in the company's history to join. We are assembling a team of highly talented and driven individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, our team is determined to deliver on our mission and transform the energy landscape for the better.
Feeling energized to make a meaningful impact on the world? Then keep reading - you've come to the right place.
Role Description
Form Energy is hiring a Senior Test Engineer to join our Test Engineering team. In this position, you will design, develop, and implement test strategies and prioritizing tests, in partnership with design teams, to ensure the reliability, safety, and performance of our energy storage products. You will leverage your strong background in mechanical and electrical component-level and system-level functional testing skills in order to succeed in this position. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and be part of the growth of a fast-moving company with breakthrough technology and an incredible mission!
Relocation assistance is available.
What you'll do:
  • Develop, execute, and own comprehensive test strategies for component, subsystem and system-level testing, including electrical and mechanical performance, characterization, and stress testing, for energy storage system products and their respective components and subsystems.
  • Design complex electromechanical test systems and high-voltage architectures.
  • Troubleshoot electrical issues in a range of test stands for a variety of purposes.
  • Finds and resolves systematic test architecture deficiencies and inefficiencies.
  • Leverages hands-on experience and actual technical outcomes to advise on and implement the selection of data acquisition systems and test sensors.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop test cases and procedures covering a range of operating conditions and use cases.
  • Analyze large test datasets to identify trends, anomalies, and areas for improvement in product performance and reliability. Correlate test data to theoretical models and simulations as-needed.
  • Prepare and deliver detailed test reports summarizing findings, conclusions, and recommendations for design enhancements or corrective actions.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize testing processes, increase efficiency, and enhance the overall quality of energy storage products.

What you'll bring:
  • Subject Matter Expertise: Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with 4 years of deep technical experience in Test Engineering, data analysis, and a proven track record of leading complex hardware verification programs.
  • Data-Driven Strategy: Extensive experience designing and leading test strategies, processing high-bandwidth vibration data, and translating raw results into actionable engineering insights that directly impact product reliability.
  • Design Partnership: A demonstrated ability to serve as a strategic partner to Design Engineering, bridging the gap between theoretical design and physical validation to influence early-stage hardware concepts.
  • Analytical Rigor: Proficiency in closing the loop between test and analysis, ensuring that empirical data is used to increase the fidelity of static and dynamic models. Sense of urgency and self-driven to hit difficult schedule targets.
  • Leadership & Mentorship: A strong desire and demonstrated ability to mentor junior technical staff and coordinate milestone-driven project sub-tasks.
  • External Test Lab Partnership: Proficiency in understanding in-house and external lab capabilities, and direct/coordinate test execution at external labs per business needs.

#LI-Onsite
Humanity is a cornerstone of Form Energy's culture, and we make sure our compensation and benefits reflect that. Form Energy offers competitive salaries, stock options, and a holistic benefits package to ensure all employees have what they need to thrive while working here.
When it comes to you and your family's health, we cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees - and 80% of healthcare premiums for dependents. This starts from day one. We also offer at least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents), and generous vacation policies to give employees time to recharge when needed.
To build America's energy future, we need everyone at the table. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply to our open jobs.
If you may require reasonable accommodations to participate in our interview process, please contact accommodations@formenergy.com. Requests for accommodations will be treated with discretion.
Form Energy is committed to maintaining the privacy of our applicants. Please be aware that we will never solicit sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details during the recruiting or hiring process.