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Senior Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Test Engineer

El Segundo, CA ยท 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 ...

THE OPPORTUNITY Silvus is seeking a Senior Test Engineer who will report to the R&D Director, Machine Learning on the Research and Development team. The successful individual in this role will be ...

Senior Test Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$60K - $180K/yr

M9 Solutions is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to support a government contract hybrid remote/onsite for a client located in San Diego, CA . An active Top Secret clearance is required.

Sr. Test Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$124K - $171K/yr

Job Summary A Senior Test Development Engineer is responsible for hardware and software test solution development for SiTime's precision timing devices. From the initial product development kick-off ...

Senior Test Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$60K - $180K/yr

M9 Solutions is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to support a government contract hybrid remote/onsite for a client located in San Diego, CA . An active Top Secret clearance is required.

Senior Test Engineer

Berkeley, CA ยท On-site

$128K - $160K/yr

Role Description Form Energy is hiring a Senior Test Engineer to accelerate the validation and safety certification of our multi-day energy storage technology. This role reports into the manager of ...

Senior Test Engineer- 3644432

San Diego, CA ยท Hybrid

$130K - $200K/yr

Computer Technologies Consultants (CTC) is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to work on a multi-disciplinary team in an Agile, fast-paced development environment. The qualified candidate will support ...

Senior Test Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$135 - $200/hr

As a Ferric IC Test Engineer, you will gain exposure to the full product-life of Ferric's ICs by working with a diverse cross-functional team including IC designers, test & application engineers ...

Senior Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Select, test, and qualify systems, parts, assemblies, materials, and processes. * Work with Design Engineers to identify failure modes and create verification/validation and qualification tests for ...

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to lead and support the planning, execution, direction, analysis, and reporting of experimental, developmental, and operational testing ...

Senior Test Engineer

Newark, CA ยท On-site

$99K - $134K/yr

Job Overview We are seeking a highly-skilled DRAM and NAND Test Engineer with expertise in high-performance, high-capacity DRAM modules and SSDs to join our team. This role involves working closely ...

Select, test, and qualify systems, parts, assemblies, materials, and processes. * Work with Design Engineers to identify failure modes and create verification/validation and qualification tests for ...

Senior Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

Develop hardware-in-the-loop and automated test setups that make engineering iteration loops faster. * Support calibration of test and development assets and keep test equipment maintained and ...

Senior Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$130 - $150/hr

Select, test, and qualify systems, parts, assemblies, materials, and processes. * Work with Design Engineers to identify failure modes and create verification/validation and qualification tests ...

Senior Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Select, test, and qualify systems, parts, assemblies, materials, and processes. * Work with Design Engineers to identify failure modes and create verification/validation and qualification tests for ...

Generate thorough test reports to support engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams. Education & Experience * BS, MS or PhD in optics, physics, engineering or related technical fields.

Showing results 41-60

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

Radiant

El Segundo, CA โ€ข On-site

$133K - $184K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

About Radiant
Radiant is an El Segundo, CA-based startup building the world's first mass-produced, portable nuclear microreactors. The company's first reactor, Kaleidos, is a 1-megawatt, fail-safe microreactor that can be transported anywhere power is needed and run for up to 5 years without refueling. Portable nuclear power with rapid-deploy capability can replace similar-sized diesel generators and provide critical asset support for hospitals, data centers, remote sites, and military bases. Radiant's unique, practical approach to nuclear development leverages modern software engineering to rapidly deliver safe, factory-built microreactors that use existing, well-qualified materials. Founded in 2020, Radiant is on track to test its first reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory this summer, with initial customer deliveries beginning in 2028.
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 offers a rare opportunity to bridge engineering, operations, and human factors in a highly technical and fast-paced environment. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to translate complex hardware and software designs into clear, executable, and DOE or NRC compliant procedures. Your work will ensure that Reactor Operators (ROs) and Senior Reactor Operators (SROs) can efficiently and safely execute test, commissioning, and operational activities.
This position goes beyond traditional systems engineering - you will also gain hands-on experience as a Reactor Operator (RO), directly influencing the development of operational software, procedures, and future reactor designs.
Responsibilities & Duties:
  • Qualify as an operator to gain firsthand experience, ensuring procedures align with real-world execution.
  • Collaborate closely with engineers to improve operator interfaces, procedural workflows, and software tools.
  • Support testing and iterative improvements of digital twin scenarios, operator systems, and human-machine interfaces.
  • Ensure compliance with DOE and NRC standards, maintaining strict formatting, clarity, and usability in procedural documentation.
  • Develop and refine operational procedures that integrate both software and hardware-in-the-loop testing.

Required Qualifications & Skills:
  • 6-7+ years of full-time professional experience in engineering problem-solving, including system design, analysis, or testing.
  • Proficiency in managing or optimizing complex hardware and software processes for testing and operations.
  • Ability to apply first principles thinking to solve problems and make decisions in uncertain or ambiguous situations.
  • Background in highly regulated industries (e.g., nuclear, aerospace, aviation, maritime).

Desired Qualifications & Skills:
  • Prior experience working as an operator in nuclear environments (e.g., nuclear energy, naval reactors, or radiation-controlled facilities), with familiarity in safety protocols, regulatory compliance, and high-reliability operations
  • 2+ years of full-time nuclear operations experience.
  • Licensed as Senior Reactor Operator or Naval equivalent.
  • Hands-on experience in developing technical procedures, human factors engineering, or operational interface design.
  • Prior operations background such as mission control room operator.
  • Proficiency in Python, UNIX, for procedure testing within the simulator environments.
  • Experience with human factors and user-centered instructions for operational workflows.

Additional Requirements:
  • Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to accomplish our mission.
  • Must work 100% onsite at El Segundo HQ.
  • Willingness to travel 50% - 60% of the time as needed for projects.
Benefits and Perks
  • Stock: Substantial incentive stock plan for all full-time employees.
  • Medical: 100% up to base silver level plan for employee + 50% dependents, offers up to Platinum plans.
  • One Medical: Sponsored memberships for employees and their dependents.
  • Vision: 100% top tier plan coverage + 50% for dependents.
  • Dental: 100% top tier plan coverage, orthodontia extra, 50% for dependents.
  • Voluntary life, accident, hospital, critical illness, commuter and FSA/HSA are offered as employee contributed benefits.
  • 8-weeks of paid parental leave for all parents. Additional paid pregnancy leave for CA employees.
  • Daily catered lunch. Free snacks and drinks.
  • Flexible PTO policy. Remote workday allocation.
  • Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and in-person camaraderie.
  • Beautiful El Segundo headquarters close to the Pacific Ocean.

Total Compensation and Benefits
Radiant compensates people for impact and invests in those who continue to raise the bar. Radiant's new hire compensation package includes base salary, substantial equity grants, and comprehensive health benefits. Total compensation and level are determined through a rigorous evaluation of interview performance, experience, education, and qualifications, and are designed to support continued growth as scope, responsibility, and impact expand at Radiant.
The best of today's advanced reactor builders don't wait for job postings. They join the winning team. If that's you, contact us directly for immediate opportunities: recruiting@radiantnuclear.com.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant's capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.