Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) Jobs

Explore Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) roles that combine software engineering and quality assurance. SDETs design and build automated testing systems, strengthen product reliability, and help development teams deliver high-quality software. Ladders features vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more, including roles across software, technology, and product organizations.

What Does an SDET Do?

SDETs create and maintain automated test frameworks, write code to validate applications, and integrate testing into continuous integration and delivery workflows. They may test APIs, web and mobile applications, distributed systems, and cloud services. The role often includes identifying defects, analyzing test results, collaborating with developers, and improving quality practices throughout the software development lifecycle.

Common SDET Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek experience with programming languages such as Java, Python, JavaScript, or C#, along with test automation tools and frameworks. Familiarity with API testing, databases, version control, CI/CD pipelines, cloud platforms, and Agile development can also be valuable. Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills help SDETs turn product requirements into reliable test strategies.

Career Paths in Software Quality Engineering

SDET careers can progress into senior or staff engineering roles, test automation leadership, quality engineering management, or broader software engineering positions. Some professionals specialize in performance, security, mobile, or platform testing. Career opportunities and requirements vary by employer, product, and level of responsibility.

Find SDET Jobs on Ladders

Browse vetted SDET and software quality engineering opportunities on Ladders. Discover professional roles with salaries of $100,000 or more, and compare positions based on responsibilities, required skills, and career level.

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$80K - $100K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic team of developers to deliver high-quality software solutions, collaborating with stakeholders, and driving strategic project initiatives while fostering a cultur...

RemoteRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in shaping innovative Commerce solutions, guiding a high-performing engineering team to deliver exceptional customer experiences while driving technical excellence and strategic decisi...

Washington, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $140K *

Lead a dynamic software engineering team, ensuring quality delivery and operational excellence while fostering collaboration across business units and driving innovation in energy efficiency solutions...

Ithaca, NYRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$90K - $110K *

Drive quality assurance efforts by analyzing requirements, designing test scenarios, and executing tests for web and mobile applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance testing pra...

Georgia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $130K *

Unlock potential by developing innovative software solutions using cutting-edge technologies. Collaborate closely with teams to create high-quality applications while adapting to new tools and process...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading Digital Test & Evaluation initiatives that integrate modern software solutions into defense workflows, enhancing efficiency and data-driven decision-making across the T&E l...

Mountain View, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$170K - $200K *

Shape the future of financial technology by developing seamless web applications. Collaborate with a dynamic team to create high-quality software that enhances user experience and drives strategic inn...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$92K - $115K *

Engineer robust end-to-end test automation frameworks using Playwright. Collaborate across teams to enhance QA capabilities, leveraging AI tools for efficient testing and maintenance, while mentoring...

Pittsburgh, PARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Elevate quality and automation efforts for enterprise deployments. Collaborate with customers and engineering to develop a robust QA function using agentic tooling, ensuring consistent environments an...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $120K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing AI product quality through rigorous testing and requirements management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure software meets user needs and indus...

Virginia, USRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $110K *

Join our team to ensure high-quality AI product releases by developing test plans, executing tests, and managing requirements. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance product functionality and drive...

Virginia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$101K - $203K *

Drive operational excellence by providing technical support and enhancing application performance. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliability, implement SRE practices, and contribute to continuous...

Connecticut, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$92K - $185K *

Unlock your potential by leading the design and development of innovative cloud-native applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive technical direction and enhance member experiences...

Texas, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$156K - $262K *

Join a dynamic team to design and optimize scalable data pipelines and infrastructure, enabling analytics and AI-driven capabilities. Collaborate across functions to deliver high-quality data solution...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$120K - $145K *

Pioneer innovative software solutions for defense programs by leveraging your expertise in C#, .NET, and SQL Server. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure secure, compliant, and high-quali...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$115K - $120K *

Elevate software quality by managing test planning, execution, and reporting. Collaborate with development teams, mentor junior testers, and ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards while drivin...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $173K *

Innovate by solving complex problems and building cloud-native solutions. Collaborate in an agile environment, delivering impactful software while utilizing modern technologies related to AI, Java, AW...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$121K - $145K *

Champion innovative solutions by building custom software for partners, engaging stakeholders, and defining architectural roadmaps. Drive efficiency and customer success through collaborative developm...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of cutting-edge test automation solutions, leveraging JavaScript and Python to enhance scalability, quality, and speed in the software develop...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $200K *

Champion the design and development of AI-driven security solutions, enhancing autonomous investigation capabilities while collaborating with cross-functional teams to address customer needs and impro...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Empower a team of engineers by leading development, managing delivery, and driving process improvements. Collaborate across departments to ensure quality releases while maintaining a hands-on technica...

Alberta, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring the quality of complex data-driven applications through a blend of manual and automated testing, focusing on large datasets and data flows while collaborating...

Georgia, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$155K - $233K *

Shape the future of our infrastructure by architecting and building a hybrid Kubernetes platform. Lead hands-on initiatives across AWS, ensuring reliability and efficiency while collaborating with cro...

Washington, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $130K *

Transform your career by designing and delivering complex full-stack solutions using Java, Spring Boot, and Angular. Collaborate with teams to enhance engineering quality and lead technical initiative...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$107K - $190K *

Innovate in the field of scientific software engineering by leading the design and development of cutting-edge Windows applications that drive advanced atomic force microscopy systems and enhance perf...

Santa Barbara, CARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)?question toggle

    An SDET is a software engineering professional who builds testing tools, automated test systems, and quality processes to help ensure software works reliably.

  • What does an SDET do day to day?question toggle

    Typical work includes writing automated tests, developing test frameworks, validating APIs and applications, investigating defects, and collaborating with software teams to improve product quality.

  • What skills are commonly required for SDET jobs?question toggle

    Requirements often include programming ability, test automation experience, API testing, CI/CD knowledge, and familiarity with software development practices. Specific tools and qualifications vary by role.

  • Are SDET jobs available with salaries of $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Yes. Compensation depends on factors such as experience, location, specialization, and employer. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more.

  • How can I find an SDET job on Ladders?question toggle

    Search Ladders for Software Development Engineer in Test, SDET, test automation, or quality engineering roles, then review each listing’s responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation details.