1

Software Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Software Test Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$128K - $166K/yr

They are seeking a Software Test Engineer to lead verification and validation efforts across cloud and mobile platforms within a regulated medical device environment, ensuring product quality and ...

Automate test cases. Verify fixes. 5 years of experience are required. Qualifications Minimum Requirements: Bachelor degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering Experience with CNAenic/fnic ...

We are seeking a Senior Software Test Engineer to lead verification and validation efforts across our cloud, and mobile platforms within a regulated medical device environment. This role is based in ...

The Senior Software Test Engineer is responsible for ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of AI-driven digital pathology solutions. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams ...

Senior Software Test Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$130K - $140K/yr

The Senior Software Test Engineer is responsible for ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of AI-driven digital pathology solutions. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams ...

Showing results 41-60

Software Test Engineer information

See California salary details

$10

$50

$72

How much do software test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for software test engineer in California is $50.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.54 and $57.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Software Test Engineer, you need a solid understanding of software development life cycles, test methodologies, and proficiency in programming languages such as Python or Java, often supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with automation tools like Selenium, JUnit, or TestNG, and knowledge of bug tracking systems such as Jira are typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication set standout engineers apart by enabling thorough defect identification and clear reporting. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring software reliability, meeting quality standards, and facilitating smooth collaboration across development teams.

What is a software test engineer?

A software test engineer conducts quality assurance tests on software to make sure programs are functioning properly. The three types of testing strategies are black box, where the tester is not familiar with the software, white box, where the tester is aware of the software’s internal structure, and gray box, which is a combination of the two. Responsibilities in this job include running diagnostic tests with a critical mindset, assessing the functionality, and reporting the findings.

What are some common challenges faced by software test engineers when working with cross-functional development teams?

Software Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as aligning testing timelines with rapid development cycles, ensuring clear communication of bugs and requirements, and adapting to evolving project priorities. Collaborating closely with developers, product managers, and UX designers requires proactive communication and flexibility, especially when dealing with ambiguous requirements or shifting deadlines. To succeed, it's important to maintain detailed documentation, participate actively in agile ceremonies, and foster a collaborative attitude to resolve issues efficiently and ensure high-quality software releases.

What is the difference between Software Test Engineer vs QA Analyst?

AspectSoftware Test EngineerQA Analyst
CertificationsISTQB, CSTE, CSQAISTQB, CSTE, CSQA
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, testing labsQuality assurance departments, testing labs
Industry UsageSoftware companies, tech firmsSoftware companies, IT organizations
Primary FocusDesigning, executing tests, automationTest planning, process improvement, documentation

Both roles often require similar certifications and work in software testing environments within tech industries. The Software Test Engineer typically focuses on test case development, automation, and execution, while the QA Analyst emphasizes test planning, quality processes, and documentation. Understanding these distinctions helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and professionals for their testing needs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Software Test Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, and 38% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $105,612 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

Senior Software Test Engineer

Abbott

Alameda, CA • On-site

$128K - $166K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Abbott rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 138 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

178th of 540 rated manufacturers


Job description

Job Summary:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. They are seeking a Software Test Engineer to lead verification and validation efforts across cloud and mobile platforms within a regulated medical device environment, ensuring product quality and regulatory compliance.
Responsibilities:
• Own and execute end‑to‑end software verification for cloud services, mobile applications, and connected devices, ensuring quality throughout the development lifecycle
• Translate product and technical requirements into comprehensive verification strategies, test plans, test cases, and execution plans
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve verification plans, protocols, and reports in compliance with FDA 21 CFR, ISO 13485, IEC 62304, and related standards
• Partner closely with product managers, architects, developers, and quality teams to ensure requirements are testable, traceable, and aligned with verification strategies
• Support risk management activities, including risk analysis, defect triage, impact assessments, and root‑cause investigations
• Participate in design reviews and verify design inputs and outputs meet regulatory and quality expectations
• Design and implement scalable manual and automated testing strategies spanning functional, integration, system, and regression testing
• Contribute to and evolve test automation frameworks and CI/CD pipelines, embedding quality into continuous delivery workflows
• Drive continuous improvement across verification processes, tools, metrics, and automation coverage
• Mentor and guide junior test engineers, promoting strong engineering discipline, automation best practices, and regulatory excellence
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in software engineering or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• 6+ years of experience in software verification and quality engineering
• 2+ years of experience in medical device software development under FDA 21 CFR 820, ISO 13485, and IEC 62304
• Strong expertise in medical device V&V, including defect management and requirements traceability
• Demonstrated experience identifying and implementing test automation opportunities across mobile, web, API, or similar platforms
• Experience working within modern CI/CD ecosystems (e.g., GitHub Actions, Azure Pipelines, Harness)
• Excellent analytical, communication, and documentation skills, with a collaborative mindset
Preferred:
• Background in healthcare or other regulated industries
• Strong automation‑first mindset
• Hands‑on experience building scalable automation frameworks (e.g., Pitesti, Playwright, Jest, REST Assured)
• Proficiency in Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript, with the ability to create reusable automation tools
• Solid understanding of SDLC, QA methodologies, and compliance requirements such as HIPAA and GDPR
• Experience with system integration and end‑to‑end testing involving both software and hardware components
• Familiarity with cloud‑native architectures and microservices testing
Company:
Abbott is a healthcare company that produces diagnostic kits, medical devices, nutritional products, and branded generic medicines. Founded in 1888, the company is headquartered in Illinois City, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

What Abbott employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom