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Vehicle Crash Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

MGA Research Corporation

Test Engineer - CA

Hughson, CA · On-site

$71K/yr

From testing individual components within a vehicle to full scale vehicle crash tests, you have the ... Engineering Responsibilities Daily roles include customer interaction, high-level problem solving ...

ALSO

Staff Vehicle Test Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$160 - $210/hr

ALSO. is looking for a Vehicle Test Engineer to play a key role in defining and supporting reliability/durability and feature testing. What You Will Do * Define, create, and drive execution for ...

ALSO

Staff Vehicle Test Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$190K - $225K/yr

ALSO is looking for a Vehicle Test Engineer to play a key role in defining and supporting reliability, durability, and feature testing. What You'll Do * Define, create, and drive execution of overall ...

Vertex Sigma Software

Test Engineer

Foster City, CA · On-site

Test Engineer - RiderDash, Concierge and CoreDash Onsite in Foster City, CA | 5 days in office We ... The ideal candidate will play a key role in manual release validation and vehicle mission testing ...

Vertex Sigma Software

Test Engineer

Foster City, CA · On-site

Test Engineer - RiderDash, Concierge and CoreDash Onsite in Foster City, CA | 5 days in office We ... The ideal candidate will play a key role in manual release validation and vehicle mission testing ...

Vertex Sigma Software

Test Engineer

Foster City, CA · On-site

Test Engineer - RiderDash, Concierge and CoreDash Onsite in Foster City, CA 5 days in office We are ... The ideal candidate will play a key role in manual release validation and vehicle mission testing ...

Qualcomm

#Systems SoC Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Systems Test Engineering General Summary: *** This position ... Analyze logs, traces, crash dumps, and system telemetry to identify root causes. * Debug software ...

Menlo Ventures

Test Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Working alongside vehicle engineers to define and execute test campaigns * Working alongside test technicians to diagnose, report, and repair prototype issues * Perform bench tests in the lab and on ...

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How much do vehicle crash test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for vehicle crash test engineer in California is $43.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.98 and $51.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a vehicle crash test engineer do?

A Vehicle Crash Test Engineer is responsible for planning, conducting, and analyzing crash tests to evaluate the safety and performance of vehicles during collisions. They design test protocols, operate crash test equipment, and interpret data to ensure vehicles meet regulatory and industry safety standards. Their work helps manufacturers improve vehicle designs to better protect occupants and reduce injuries in real-world accidents.

What does a vehicle crash test engineer do?

A vehicle crash test engineer plans and analyzes safety tests for the automotive industry. In this role, you coordinate with other members of the manufacturing team to develop and design experiments that assess the safety capabilities of cars. An engineer places sensors and crash test dummies in the cars and makes sure that the test captures the data required to measure all necessary safety variables. Since crash tests are destructive, you may run several computer simulations before conducting a test on an actual vehicle to limit the number of physical exams. You measure the results of each crash test and present your findings to the design and production teams.

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

A Vehicle Crash Test Engineer typically needs a strong background in mechanical or automotive engineering, experience with safety standards, and knowledge of vehicle dynamics. Proficiency in data acquisition systems, simulation software (such as LS-DYNA or MADYMO), and familiarity with crash test protocols and regulations (like FMVSS or Euro NCAP) are essential. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are critical soft skills for interpreting test data and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure accurate testing, regulatory compliance, and the development of safer vehicles.

What are some common challenges faced by vehicle crash test engineers during the testing process?

Vehicle Crash Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating complex test setups, ensuring precise instrumentation, and meeting strict safety and regulatory standards. They must also adapt quickly to unexpected results or equipment failures while maintaining detailed documentation. Effective communication with design, manufacturing, and data analysis teams is crucial for promptly addressing any issues and ensuring test results lead to meaningful safety improvements.

What is the difference between Vehicle Crash Test Engineer vs Vehicle Safety Analyst?

AspectVehicle Crash Test EngineerVehicle Safety Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Automotive Engineering or related; certifications like SAE or ASE beneficialBachelor's in Engineering, Safety, or related; certifications in safety standards helpful
Work EnvironmentTesting facilities, laboratories, vehicle testing tracksOffice settings, data analysis labs, safety review meetings
Industry UsageDesigning and conducting crash tests, analyzing crash dataAssessing safety protocols, reviewing crash data, recommending improvements

While both roles focus on vehicle safety, the Vehicle Crash Test Engineer primarily conducts physical crash tests and analyzes test data, whereas the Vehicle Safety Analyst reviews safety data and develops safety standards. The roles complement each other in ensuring vehicle safety and often collaborate within automotive safety teams.

How do I get a job in vehicle crash test engineering?

To become a vehicle crash test engineer, typically a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, or a related field is required. Gaining experience with crash testing procedures, safety standards, and tools like data acquisition systems is important, and certifications such as those from SAE International can enhance prospects.
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Cities in California with the most Vehicle Crash Test Engineer job openings:

Vehicle Crash Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vehicle Crash Test Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, 37% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,822 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

Vehicle Safety and crash Test Engineer

Detroit Engineered Products

Newark, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

• Purpose of the Team: This team focuses on all vehicle safety and crash testing and meet all safety and consumer requirements for vehicles.
Compelling Story & Candidate Value Proposition
• Unique Selling Points:
- This job is varied and no day looks the same. As a Vehicle Safety Test Engineer you will have opportunities to support test engineers and will be operating test equipment and setting up safety tests forVehicles. It is an opportunity to work cross functionally and have ownership of ones work.
Candidate Requirements
• Years of Experience Required: 5 overall years of experience in the field.

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