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Software Quality Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Software QA Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$75.20 - $100.30/hr

We are seeking a Software QA Engineer to join our IoT device team. This role focuses on ensuring high-quality product delivery through comprehensive testing, automation, and collaboration. At our ...

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Software Quality Engineer information

See California salary details

$18

$47

$77

How much do software quality engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for software quality engineer in California is $47.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37.74 and $54.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software quality engineer?

Software Quality Engineers are professionals responsible for ensuring that software products meet established quality standards before they are released to customers. They design and execute tests, identify bugs or issues, and collaborate with developers to resolve problems. Their work helps prevent defects, enhances user satisfaction, and ensures the reliability and safety of software applications. Software Quality Engineers may use automation tools and manual testing methods to validate functionality, performance, and security.

How does a software quality engineer typically collaborate with development and product teams to ensure high-quality releases?

As a Software Quality Engineer, you’ll work closely with developers and product managers throughout the software development lifecycle. Regular collaboration involves participating in sprint planning, reviewing requirements, designing test cases, and providing feedback on user stories. You’ll also be responsible for communicating defects clearly, suggesting improvements, and validating fixes, ensuring everyone is aligned on quality goals. This close teamwork ensures that issues are caught early and that the final product meets both technical and user expectations.

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

To thrive as a Software Quality Engineer, you need a solid understanding of software development lifecycles, test methodologies, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with automated testing tools (like Selenium or JUnit), bug tracking systems (such as Jira), and scripting languages is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and strong communication are vital soft skills that set top performers apart. These abilities ensure software products meet high standards for reliability and functionality, reducing defects and improving user satisfaction.

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

AspectSoftware Quality EngineerSoftware Tester
Primary FocusEnsuring overall quality, process improvement, and defect preventionIdentifying bugs and verifying software functionality
ResponsibilitiesDeveloping quality strategies, automating tests, collaborating with teamsExecuting test cases, reporting bugs, manual testing
Required SkillsTesting tools, automation, quality assurance processesManual testing, test case execution, defect tracking
Work EnvironmentCollaborative, cross-functional teams in software developmentPrimarily testing teams or QA departments

While both roles focus on software quality, Software Quality Engineers take a broader approach, emphasizing process improvement and automation, whereas Software Testers mainly focus on executing tests and identifying bugs. The roles often overlap but serve different stages of the quality assurance process.

More about Software Quality Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Quality Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Software Quality Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Software Quality Engineer jobs in California?

For Software Quality Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Software Quality Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Software Quality Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Software Quality Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Software Quality Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Quality Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,648 per year, or $47.9 per hour.

Software QA Engineer - Automation, Siri

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 681 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description

Join the team redefining what a deeply personal and integrated assistant can be. As part of the Siri organization, you will help shape one of the world's most widely used AI assistants, powered by our next-generation of Apple Intelligence, with capabilities like personal context understanding and on-screen awareness, built with privacy from the ground up. Your work will have direct, meaningful impact for users across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS. This is a rare opportunity to build at the intersection of cutting-edge AI and human-centered design, shipping technology that is centered around users and their needs.
Description
We are seeking a versatile and motivated software quality engineer to join our Siri AI Quality Engineering group. In this role, you'll be at the forefront of enabling AI assistant experiences in Apple's next-generation hardware platforms. You'll ensure that our software frameworks and environments are updated and modernized to adapt to the new architectures and usage scenarios of new products in the development pipeline. You'll also partner closely with product development teams and quality engineering groups as the owner of automation support. This position is ideal for systems & framework engineers who are passionate about quality, enjoy creating scalable simulation systems, and are eager to contribute to the success of pioneering AI products. If you have a strong background in software development and experience building tools for simulation and quality, we would love to hear from you!
Minimum Qualifications
2+ years of experience working as a Software Quality engineer with primary focus on automation
Expertise in Python, Bash and/or Swift with exposure to ML/NLP libraries
In-depth knowledge of software development lifecycle, testing methodologies, and testing tools
Developing test plans, assessing risk, filing appropriate defects, and providing relevant data for test reporting
Develop and maintain robust testing frameworks using machine learning models
Experience with developing test strategies, including: writing test plans, test cases, and testing architectures
Expertise with LLM usage to innovate and improve efficiency of the daily work
BS/MS or equivalent experience in Computer Science or related field
Preferred Qualifications
Strong software engineering skills, including system design, development, testing, debugging, release and maintenance
Drive development and deployment of relevant ML testing tools and infrastructure
Deep understanding of automated software testing methodologies and lifecycle, including integration testing, component mocking, and dependency injection
Ability to work independently, raise issues and take corrective actions
Ability to triage problems, prioritize accordingly, and propose a resolution

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Apple logo

About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976