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

You will be part of a small, high-performing team and will work closely with engineering and maintenance to ensure efficient and reliable test operations. While collaboration is essential, this role ...

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Systems Engineer

Healdsburg, CA · On-site

$120K - $165K/yr

Develop detailed test plans and procedures, ensuring all necessary equipment and resources are ... Presenting engineering material in life cycle design reviews. * Support test events at multiple ...

Mechanical Engineer - Power Systems (Defense Technology) We are a defense technology company ... In this role, you will design, develop, and test complex mechanical and electromechanical systems ...

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Test Engineer information

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How much do test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 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 engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced software engineers, especially those in senior or lead roles at major tech companies, can earn $500,000 or more annually through base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Specialized fields like machine learning, AI, or cybersecurity may also offer such compensation levels for top professionals with advanced skills and certifications. Salary varies based on location, company size, and individual expertise.

How much does a test engineer get paid?

The average salary for a test engineer varies by experience, location, and industry, 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 technology and manufacturing sectors.

What are Test Engineers?

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 is a Test Engineer?

A test engineer runs validation tests on manufactured products. The duties of a test engineer include creating testing procedures, reviewing product manufacturing specifications, ensuring proper labeling on product components, and collaborating with a process engineer to optimize the product design process. A process engineer is a similar position. Test and process engineers observe weak areas in product design and suggest improvements to the design.

What does a test engineer do?

A test engineer designs, develops, and executes tests to ensure the quality and functionality of products or software. They identify defects, document issues, and work with development teams to improve reliability, often using testing tools and scripting skills. Attention to detail and understanding of testing methodologies are essential for this role.

Is QA testing a hard job?

QA testing as a Test Engineer involves analyzing software, creating test cases, and identifying bugs, which requires attention to detail and problem-solving skills. The job can be challenging due to the need for thoroughness and understanding of testing tools and methodologies, but it is manageable with proper training and experience.

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.

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 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:
Cellular 4G/5G System Performance Engineer

Cellular 4G/5G System Performance Engineer

Apple

Bodega Bay, CA

$171K - $302K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago


Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 661 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description

Do you have a passion for invention and self-challenge? Do you thrive on pushing the limits of what’s considered feasible? As part of a world class modem team, you’ll craft sophisticated leading-edge embedded firmware that deliver more performance in our products than ever before. You’ll work across disciplines to transform improved hardware elements into a single, integrated design. Join us, and you’ll help us innovate new wireless systems technologies that continually outperform the previous iterations. By collaborating with other product development groups across Apple, you’ll push the industry boundaries of what wireless systems can do and improve the product experience for our customers across the world.
Description
Do you want to have an impact on every single Apple product? As a Cellular 4G/5G System Performance Engineer, you will be at the center of the embedded 5G/4G/multimode cellular system / firmware effort within a silicon design group responsible for designing and productizing state-of-the-art cellular SoCs. This position requires someone comfortable will all aspects of embedded system/firmware verification, that thrives in a dynamic cross-functional organization, is not afraid to debate ideas openly, and is flexible enough to pivot on constantly evolving requirements.","responsibilities":"Collaborate with system engineers and firmware developers to understand details of system design, feature design and FW implementation
Design performance verification lab use cases and test cases to effectively identify potential UE performance issues and ensure overall UE performance meet expectations
Collaborate with system engineers, firmware developers, integration, and test engineers to troubleshoot performance-related issues and enhance the overall UE performance
Develop test scripts over lab network emulator (TE) to implement defined performance test cases or reproduce issues
Guide test executors in performing validation of new and existing features.
Preferred Qualifications
Ph.D degree in wireless communication or electrical engineering.
Advanced knowledge of 4G/5G physical layer, protocol stack, and procedures.
Over 10 years of experience in 4G/5G development / system engineering / device performance verification.
Experience in investigating and troubleshooting cellular device performance issues.
Strong analysis and debugging capabilities to diagnose performance issues and collaborate with firmware development and systems design teams to resolve them.
Deep understanding of software engineering principles and core computer science fundamentals.
Proficient in scripting or programming languages such as Python, C/C++, and Java. A solid grasp of automation tool chain.
Extensive experience and knowledge of various 4G/5G signaling and physical layer test equipment (including Keysight, Anritsu, and R&S) and their automation interfaces.
Solid knowledge in Layer 2/Layer 3/ NAS and network performance optimization (a plus).
Experience with network emulators, silicon prototyping, emulation systems, and virtual platforms a plus.
Minimum Qualifications
BS and a minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience.
Advanced knowledge of 4G/5G physical layer, protocol stack and procedures.
5+ years of experience in 4G/5G development / system engineering / device performance verification.
Experience in investigating and troubleshooting cellular device performance issues.
Strong analysis and debugging capabilities to be able to debug performance issues and work with firmware development and systems design teams to close these issues.
Understanding of software engineering principles, and core computer science fundamentals.
Proficient in scripting or programming languages such as Python, C/C++.
Experience and knowledge of multiple 4G/5G signaling and physical layer test equipment (Keysight/Anritsu/R&S) along with their automation interfaces.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $171,600 and $302,200, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

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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