SQA Engineer III - San Diego, CA, United States
$76,481 - $95,596 USD yearly
Originally posted 19 August 2026 by the employer.
About the role
This role involves improving the quality and reliability of software for complex electro-mechanical automation and robotics systems through system-level testing, work-product reviews, process audits, and data-driven quality improvement.
What you'll do
- Plan, design, document, execute, and report system-level testing for each release cycle.
- Create, maintain, and debug C#-based test scripts for internal automation tools and execute automated tests.
- Perform end-user-focused functional, new-feature, defect-fix, and regression testing using actual equipment and machine simulators.
- Identify, reproduce, troubleshoot, analyze, and document software defects in Jira.
- Extract and analyze release data using SQL or scripting tools, generate charts, and communicate software quality status.
- Use company-approved AI tools to improve the accuracy, completeness, and efficiency of test plans, test scripts, defect analysis, and technical documentation.
What you'll need
- Bachelor's degree in software, electrical, mechanical, computer, or a related engineering discipline.
- 4-6 years of experience with software quality assurance and testing in a commercial, Windows-based product-development environment.
- 3+ years of experience testing electro-mechanical equipment and associated software applications.
- Working knowledge of C# or C/C++, Visual Studio, Git or comparable version control, object-oriented design, SQL/database concepts, and communication protocols (e.g., serial, TCP/IP) in a Windows environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Nice to have
- Experience working in Agile/Scrum development environments, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, and related ceremonies.
- Familiarity with Python or similar scripting languages for data analysis, reporting automation, or AI-assisted testing workflows.
- Knowledge of UML, XML, TCP/IP, SECS/GEM, serial communication, and GPIB protocols.
- Experience in one or more areas of machine automation, motion control, input/output systems, pneumatics, thermal systems, vision systems, or communication interfaces.
- Software testing certification such as ISTQB (Foundation or Advanced Level) or CSTE.
Skills: system-level testing, software requirements, C#-based test scripts, electro-mechanical equipment, software defects, AI tools
This role has been open 58 days — slightly above the 49-day median for Software Engineering Semiconductor roles.
Software Engineering Semiconductor · Manufacturing Equipment
|
Open roles in category
179
|
Median days open
49 d
|
Median salary
$138k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, skills in demand, and who else is hiring
| Metric | Cohu | All employers we track in this specialty (179 roles · 33 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 4 | 179 |
| Open roles in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family | 13 | 6157 · 145 employers |
| Median days open | 58 d | 49 d (+9 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $138k |
Skills observed across this category: system-level testing, software requirements, C#-based test scripts, electro-mechanical equipment, software defects, AI tools
Who's hiring in this category
- KLA Corporation · 36 open roles · median 60 d
- Applied Materials · 31 open roles · median 23 d
- Lam Research · 14 open roles · median 43 d
- ASM International · 13 open roles · median 65 d
- Keysight Technologies · 10 open roles · median 73 d
- Teradyne · 10 open roles · median 50 d
How we counted: 179 open Software Engineering Semiconductor (Manufacturing Equipment) roles from 33 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 16 Oct 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family row. Figures refresh nightly.