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Vehicle Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Astranis

Vehicle Test Software Team Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$56 - $76.25/hr

Team Lead, Vehicle Test Team As the Team Lead of the Vehicle Test team, you will build and manage ... with other engineering teams. This role will contribute to both commercial and US Government ...

Vast

Fluids Test Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$112K - $159K/yr

Develop clear and robust test plans for on-vehicle checkouts, fluids, instrumentation, and high ... Mentor engineers and technicians on the team. Minimum Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in ...

Pow.bio

Vehicle Test Software Team Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150 - $230/hr

... engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153 ... Team Lead, Vehicle Test Team As the Team Lead of the Vehicle Test team, you will build and manage ...

Astranis

Vehicle Test Software Team Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $230K/yr

... engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153 ... Team Lead, Vehicle Test Team As the Team Lead of the Vehicle Test team, you will build and manage ...

Kett Engineering

Be Seen First

Vehicle Test Operator

Torrance, CA · On-site

$22 - $26/hr

Kett Engineering's client is looking for 20+ Vehicle Operators for an autonomous vehicle data ... This takes the form of operating test vehicles statically, driving on public roads, or private 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 ...

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 ...

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All JobsVehicle Test Engineer JobsVehicle Test Engineer Jobs in California

Vehicle Test Engineer information

See California salary details

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$43

$73

How much do vehicle test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for vehicle 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 test engineer do?

A Vehicle Test Engineer is responsible for designing, conducting, and analyzing tests on vehicles to ensure they meet safety, performance, and reliability standards. They work with various types of vehicles, such as cars, trucks, or specialty vehicles, and use both laboratory and real-world testing environments. Their role often involves collaborating with design, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to identify issues and recommend improvements. Vehicle Test Engineers also document results and ensure compliance with industry regulations. This position is crucial for ensuring that vehicles are safe, efficient, and ready for consumer use.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vehicle test engineer?

To thrive as a Vehicle Test Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or automotive engineering, experience with vehicle dynamics, and a relevant degree. Familiarity with data acquisition systems, automotive diagnostic tools, and software like MATLAB or CANalyzer is commonly required. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for interpreting test results and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These competencies ensure accurate testing, compliance with safety standards, and the successful development of reliable vehicles.

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

Vehicle Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting unexpected system failures, working within tight deadlines, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. They must adapt quickly to changing test requirements and environmental conditions, especially when conducting tests outdoors or on test tracks. Effective communication and collaboration with design, manufacturing, and quality teams are essential to resolve issues efficiently and deliver reliable test results.

What is the difference between Vehicle Test Engineer vs Automotive Test Technician?

AspectVehicle Test EngineerAutomotive Test Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Automotive Engineering or related; certifications like ISTQB or SAETechnical diploma or associate degree; certifications in vehicle systems or testing
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, test tracks, vehicle development facilitiesTesting facilities, repair shops, on-road testing environments
Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, R&D departments, testing agenciesVehicle service centers, testing companies, manufacturing plants

Vehicle Test Engineers focus on designing and overseeing vehicle testing procedures, analyzing data, and improving vehicle performance. Automotive Test Technicians perform hands-on testing, maintenance, and data collection during vehicle testing phases. Both roles are essential in vehicle development but differ mainly in their responsibilities and level of technical involvement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vehicle Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vehicle Test Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 32% 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.

Software Vehicle Test Engineer

Resource Point LLC

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Position: Software Vehicle Test Engineer

Temp or Perm: Contract

Location: Santa Clara, CA (100% onsite)

Duration: 12+ months

Qualifications/Key Responsibilities:

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science/Engineering.
  • 3+ years of in-vehicle testing for ADAS (manager would consider more junior candidates who have 1+ years of experience).
  • Combination of in-vehicle testing and development (programming focused, manager can train on the triage side)
  • Experience with C++, coding: Python, JavaScript, database management and Linux/QNX.