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Software Automation Tester Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We are looking for a Test Automation Lead to assess software quality through manual and automated testing. You will be responsible for finding and reporting bugs and glitches. In this role, you ...

We are looking for a Test Automation Lead to assess software quality through manual and automated testing. You will be responsible for finding and reporting bugs and glitches. In this role, you ...

Test Automation - Manager

San Francisco, CA

$54.25 - $71.50/hr

Your extensive experience in automation testing, along with your proficiency in various automation tools and frameworks, will be essential in ensuring the quality and efficiency of our software ...

Test Automation - Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$49.50 - $65.50/hr

Your extensive experience in automation testing, along with your proficiency in various automation tools and frameworks, will be essential in ensuring the quality and efficiency of our software ...

Test Automation - Manager

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$54 - $71.25/hr

Your extensive experience in automation testing, along with your proficiency in various automation tools and frameworks, will be essential in ensuring the quality and efficiency of our software ...

Showing results 21-40

Software Automation Tester information

See California salary details

$10

$50

$74

How much do software automation tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for software automation tester in California is $50.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.65 and $57.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is automation testing still in demand?

Automation testing remains in high demand for software automation testers as companies seek faster and more reliable testing processes. Skills in scripting, tools like Selenium or TestComplete, and understanding of CI/CD pipelines are valuable in this field, which continues to grow with the expansion of software development and quality assurance needs.

What is the difference between Software Automation Tester vs Manual Tester?

AspectSoftware Automation TesterManual Tester
Primary FocusDeveloping and executing automated test scriptsPerforming manual test cases and exploratory testing
Required SkillsProgramming, scripting, automation toolsTest case execution, attention to detail
Tools UsedSelenium, QTP, TestCompleteTestRail, Excel, Jira
Work EnvironmentTest automation frameworks, coding environmentsTest labs, physical or virtual devices

Software Automation Testers focus on creating automated tests to increase efficiency, while Manual Testers execute test cases manually to identify issues. Both roles are essential in quality assurance, but they differ mainly in approach and skill requirements.

How do you become a software automation tester?

To become a software automation tester, you typically need a background in software testing or quality assurance, proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C#, and experience with automation tools like Selenium, TestComplete, or JUnit. Earning relevant certifications, such as ISTQB or Certified Automation Tester, can also improve job prospects and demonstrate expertise.

What are some common challenges software automation testers face when integrating automated tests into existing development workflows?

Software Automation Testers often encounter challenges such as ensuring that automated tests remain stable amidst frequent code changes, and effectively collaborating with developers to keep tests aligned with evolving requirements. Additionally, integrating automated tests into continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines can require close coordination with DevOps teams and a solid understanding of the deployment process. Effective communication and proactive maintenance of test scripts are essential to maximize test coverage and prevent flaky tests from disrupting the workflow.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software automation tester?

To thrive as a Software Automation Tester, you need a solid understanding of software testing methodologies, scripting or programming skills (such as in Java, Python, or JavaScript), and experience with QA processes, typically supported by a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with automation tools like Selenium, JUnit, TestNG, or Jenkins, as well as knowledge of CI/CD systems, is commonly required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong communication are crucial soft skills that set top testers apart. These skills ensure efficient test automation, high-quality software releases, and effective collaboration within development teams.

What is a software automation tester?

Software Automation Testers are professionals who design, develop, and execute automated tests to verify the functionality and performance of software applications. They use various tools and scripting languages to create test scripts that simulate user interactions and validate software behavior. Their primary goal is to improve testing efficiency, ensure software quality, and identify bugs early in the development cycle. By automating repetitive testing tasks, they help teams deliver reliable software faster and with fewer errors.

What cities in California are hiring for Software Automation Tester jobs?

Cities in California with the most Software Automation Tester job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Automation Tester job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,259 per year, or $50.6 per hour.

QA Automation Tester --- Remote

Apex Informatics

Santa Clarita, CA • On-site, Remote

Contractor

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

QA Automation Tester --- Remote
In the role of Senior Test Automation Engineer, you will interface with key stakeholders to enable a consistent, integrated and reliable approach for test automation. You will apply your technical proficiency to strengthen existing processes and recommend new technologies, tools and techniques. You will be part of a learning culture, where teamwork and collaboration are encouraged, excellence is rewarded, and diversity is respected and valued. You will design, develop, and maintain automation frameworks for effective and efficient test execution in an Agile environment for web applications. You will be responsible for developing new automation scripts and/or modifying existing automation scripts developed using various testing tools and in-house Automation Frameworks. You will integrate test automation into the CI/CD pipeline in an AWS hosted products ecosystem.
In this role, you will:
• Recommend, apply, manage and support effectual test automation technologies, tools and techniques.
• Responsible for developing and executing comprehensive suites of automation test plans and test cases, maintaining and adding to existing automation framework, continued evaluation of test cases for inclusion in regression, automation for newly integrated features, and development of toolsets to augment QA and Development testing
• Responsible for unit, functional, regression, database, accessibility and performance testing including UI, API and services testing
• Contributes to all parts of the SDLC, e.g., design, development, and testing with a focus on creating automated testing solutions
• Develops scripts and processes to monitor and alert for system performance and availability
• Drive the adoption of Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) patterns, methodologies and technologies.
• Integrate automation with deployment infrastructure to establish a continuous build and test cycle.
A successful candidate will have the following characteristics:
  • Experience using programming languages (Java and JavaScript), source code management and version control tools. (Git, SVN, etc.)
  • Understanding of ATDD and BDD (Cucumber)
  • Experience implementing Playwright (TypeScript) in at least a minimum of 3 projects in recent past four years.
  • Implement Playwright framework from Scratch (Startup Application) with all best practices.
  • End-to-End experience in deploying applications in Playwright (Dev, Stage, Prod)
  • Experience with BDD (Cucumber or Selenium or Serenity) (Java/JavaScript/TypeScript)
  • Developing applications in Unix Environment (Ubuntu/Mac)
  • Experience automating API testing using Typescript and Node Framework
  • Understand existing test scripts written in Selenium.
  • Experience testing Lambda functions in AWS, exposure to AWS Console/Resources (S3, EC2, clusters, etc.) (Good To Have)
  • Strong knowledge in SQL/PL-SQL (Good To have)
  • Able to build and run Docker Containers locally (Good to Have)