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Vehicle Crash Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Arc Boat Company

Test Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$125K/yr

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 ...

Arc Boat Company

Test Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$125K/yr

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 ...

Vertex Sigma Software

Test Engineer

Foster City, CA · On-site

Radar Test Engineer Onsite in Foster City, CA | 5 days in office Responsibilities ... Schedule vehicle testing structured and unstructured: Radar Firmware validation Next Generation ...

Vertex Sigma Software

Test Engineer

Foster City, CA · On-site

Radar Test Engineer Onsite in Foster City, CA | 5 days in office Responsibilities ... Schedule vehicle testing structured and unstructured: Radar Firmware validation Next Generation ...

Transdev

Test Engineer L3

Atwater, CA · On-site

Test Engineer Lead shall manage and execute test programs, analyze and interpret results ... Provide technical guidance to the test team comprised of Test Conductors, Vehicle Operators, Test ...

Transdev

Test Engineer L3

Atwater, CA · On-site

Test Engineer Lead shall manage and execute test programs, analyze and interpret results ... Provide technical guidance to the test team comprised of Test Conductors, Vehicle Operators, Test ...

Inversion

Test Engineer II (Arc Vehicle)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$106K - $150K/yr

What You'll Do As a Test Engineer (Arc Vehicle) at Inversion, you will report directly to the Manager of Arc Vehicle Integration & Test . In this role, you will own the preparation, execution, and ...

Inversion

Test Engineer II (Arc Vehicle)

Vista, CA · On-site

$106K - $150K/yr

What You'll Do As a Test Engineer (Arc Vehicle) at Inversion, you will report directly to the Manager of Arc Vehicle Integration & Test . In this role, you will own the preparation, execution, and ...

LTA Research

Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$75 - $95/hr

GNC: Work alongside GNC engineers to author flight test plans and analyze vehicle dynamics Qualifications * Experience: 3+ years in aerospace, robotics, or high-reliability hardware environments

Qualcomm

#Systems SoC Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$89 - $133.60/hr

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

LHP Engineering Solutions

Test Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

... Vehicles and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. At LHP we ensure Functional Safety and ... Test Engineer: Designs, develops, implements, and executes cost-effective methods of testing and ...

New

LTA Research

Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

GNC: Work alongside GNC engineers to author flight test plans and analyze vehicle dynamics Qualifications * Experience: 3+ years in aerospace, robotics, or high-reliability hardware environments

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Vehicle Crash Test Engineer information

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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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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.

Test Engineer

Vertex Sigma Software

Foster City, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Radar Test Engineer Onsite in Foster City, CA 5 days in office Responsibilities: Schedule vehicle testing structured and unstructured: Radar Firmware validation Next Generation Radar evaluation Follow up on the logistics and arrangement of test campaigns. Handle warranty returns to Radar suppliers. Assist with Thermal testing to validate new trim and enclosures. Radar test setup development - gimbal and test automations scripts. Required Qualifications: Undergraduate degree with 2+ years of experience. Experience with working on Linux systems. Experience with ethernet systems. An organized mindset. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Preferred Qualifications: Scripting with python or other automation tools. Exposure to testing autonomous vehicle hardware systems.
Benefits
Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
Training & Development
Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
Free breakfast and lunch

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