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Test Engineer Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Responsible for developing test automation along with executing firmware test cases for System on a Chip (SoC) in wireless application, you will work closely with the Software Engineering team ...

Responsible for developing and executing firmware test cases for System on a Chip (SoC) in wireless application, you will work closely with the Software Engineering team ensuring the quality of their ...

The Test Lab Technician is responsible for supporting R&D Department with the development of Engineered to Order (ETO) products for Staubli. Duties will include the testing and validation of new ...

Test Technician III

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$23 - $35/hr

Work with engineering on new product development efforts where documentation and assembly ... test is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience * Experienced ...

Showing results 21-40

Test Engineer information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$19

$48

$81

How much do test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for test engineer in Santa Rosa, CA is $48.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.54 and $57.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a test engineer?

Test Engineers are professionals responsible for evaluating and ensuring the quality of products, typically software or hardware, by designing and executing tests. They identify bugs, glitches, or any issues that might affect the user experience or product performance. Test Engineers also document test results, collaborate with developers to resolve issues, and help improve processes to prevent future problems. Their work is critical in delivering reliable and high-quality products to customers.

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

To thrive as a Test Engineer, you need a solid background in software development, quality assurance principles, and test case design, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with automated testing tools like Selenium, JUnit, or TestNG, as well as experience with bug tracking systems and scripting languages, is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for identifying issues and collaborating with development teams. These skills ensure the delivery of reliable, high-quality products by efficiently detecting and resolving software defects.

How do test engineers typically collaborate with development and product teams during a project?

Test Engineers play a crucial role in cross-functional teams by working closely with developers and product managers throughout the software development lifecycle. They participate in requirement reviews, design discussions, and sprint planning meetings to ensure testability and clarity of features. Regular communication helps identify potential issues early, align on acceptance criteria, and prioritize testing efforts. This collaborative approach helps deliver higher-quality products and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

What is the difference between Test Engineer vs QA Analyst?

AspectTest EngineerQA Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field; certifications like ISTQBBachelor's in related fields; ISTQB certification common
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams, testing labs, automation toolsQuality assurance teams, process documentation, testing environments
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, software firms, manufacturingIT services, software development, healthcare

Test Engineers focus on designing, executing, and automating tests to ensure software quality, often working closely with developers. QA Analysts primarily analyze quality processes, develop testing plans, and ensure compliance with standards. While both roles aim to improve product quality, Test Engineers are more technical and automation-oriented, whereas QA Analysts emphasize process and manual testing. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job role.

How much does a test engineer get paid?

The average salary for a test engineer varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 annually. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced test engineers with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in competitive markets or with expertise in automation tools.

Is it hard to be a test engineer?

Becoming a test engineer requires a strong understanding of software development, testing methodologies, and tools such as automation frameworks. The role can be challenging due to the need for attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work under deadlines, but it is manageable with proper training and experience.

What are the most commonly searched types of Test Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA?

The most popular types of Test Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Test Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA?

For Test Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Test Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Test Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:

What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Test Engineer jobs?

Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Test Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Test Engineer job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,616 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

Senior Test Automation Engineer, onsite in Petaluma, California

Ciena Corporation

Petaluma, CA • On-site

$192/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We're a technology company that leads with our humanity-driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.
Reporting to the Senior Manager, SVT/PV Engineering, as a Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Test Engineer, you will play an important role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of Ciena's industry-leading networking products. You will collaborate with software developers, systems engineers, and product teams to validate new features and solutions through comprehensive automated testing.
You will contribute to the development of next-generation networking solutions by designing, developing, and maintaining automated test suites that improve product quality and accelerate software delivery. Working across multiple Ciena product lines, you will help ensure that products meet customer requirements and are ready for deployment in carrier-grade and enterprise environments.
  • Design, develop, execute, and maintain automated test cases and test suites for software features, system functionality, and customer use cases.
  • Develop and enhance automation frameworks to improve test coverage, scalability, efficiency, and maintainability.
  • Create and execute functional, integration, system, regression, and solution-level test plans to validate product capabilities and software releases.
  • Analyze test results, identify defects, perform root-cause analysis, and work closely with development teams to resolve issues.
  • Participate in design reviews, requirements reviews, and test planning activities to ensure quality is incorporated throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Support continuous integration and continuous testing initiatives by integrating automated test suites into Jenkins pipelines.
  • Build and maintain test environments, configure test topologies, and validate networking solutions under realistic deployment scenarios.
  • Collaborate effectively with software development, systems engineering, product management, and other quality engineering teams to support successful feature delivery.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of automation practices, testing methodologies, and overall product quality.
  • Act as a customer advocate when designing and executing test cases. Act on behalf of customer to suggest improvements.

The Must Haves:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • 5+ years of experience in software quality assurance, test automation, software development, or related engineering roles.
  • Experience developing automated test solutions using Python or other object-oriented programming languages.
  • Experience creating, executing, and maintaining automated test cases and regression test suites.
  • Experience working in Linux-based development and test environments.
  • Understanding of software development lifecycles, quality assurance methodologies, and defect management processes.
  • Experience using version control and development tools such as Git, Bitbucket, and JIRA.
  • Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and isolate software defects.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within cross-functional engineering teams.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Nice to Haves:
  • Experience with Passive Optical Network (PON) technologies, including GPON, XGS-PON.
  • Familiarity with Optical Line Terminal (OLT) and Optical Network Unit (ONU/ONT) architectures, operation, and deployment scenarios.
  • Knowledge of PON-related standards and protocols, including ITU-T specifications and OMCI.
  • Knowledge of networking fundamentals including Ethernet, TCP/IP, IPv4, IPv6, routing, and switching protocols.
  • Experience with traffic generation and network test tools such as Ixia, Spirent, Xena, or equivalent platforms.
  • Experience troubleshooting and analyzing packet captures, protocol traces, and system logs to identify root causes of networking and service issues.
  • Experience working with test management and collaboration tools such as TestRail and Confluence.
  • Experience troubleshooting broadband access networks and analyzing protocol traces, packet captures, and system logs.
  • Familiarity with broadband service delivery technologies, including VLANs, QoS, DHCP, PPPoE, and multicast services.
  • Knowledge of software quality assurance practices for carrier-grade networking products with a focus on reliability, scalability, and customer deployment scenarios.
  • Exposure to AI-assisted development tools and automation technologies

Pay Range: The salary range for this role in Petaluma, California is $120, 500 - $192, 500
Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.
Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.