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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Software Development Engineer, Creative Asset Library, CreativeX
$143K - $194K *
Join a team that's redefining asset management for advertising, driving innovation through software solutions that enhance scalability, performance, and security while collaborating with stakeholders...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineer II, SageMaker AI Inference
$143K - $194K *
Drive innovation by optimizing inference performance for large language models. Collaborate across teams to enhance system efficiency, reduce latency, and improve throughput, directly impacting custom...
3 days ago
Senior Software Engineer - Rapid Development Team
$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...
1 week ago
Software Dev Engineer II, SageMaker Compute Governance
$143K - $194K *
Drive innovation by designing and building distributed backend services that optimize GPU utilization across clusters, enhancing efficiency and value for AI compute customers globally...
2 days ago
$95K - $120K *
Elevate your career by transitioning into AI engineering with our intensive training program. Join a fast-growing field, work with top clients, and earn competitive salaries while developing your skil...
2 weeks ago
$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...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineering - Advisor II
$128K - $216K *
Join a dynamic team to design and deliver cloud-native payment solutions, leveraging modern technologies and AI-assisted development practices to enhance digital payment experiences and ensure high st...
2 days ago
Principal Tester/Automation - Specialty
$100K - $157K *
Unlock potential by leading a dynamic testing team to enhance automation practices. Drive quality outcomes and mentor testers while shaping the automation strategy for our claims platform. Collaborate...
6 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Design and develop software solutions for the Navy's cybersecurity program, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. Collaborate with engineers to implement scalable architectures and maintain software...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Development Engineer - ML Platform
$199K - $278K *
Transform the ML landscape by designing and evolving scalable platforms that empower teams to efficiently build, deploy, and manage machine learning models, ensuring reliability and operational excell...
1 week ago
Senior Software Development Engineer - ML Platform
$184K - $258K *
Unlock potential by designing and evolving scalable machine learning platforms. Collaborate with engineers to enhance reliability and performance while enabling teams to deploy models efficiently acro...
1 week ago
Software Test Engineer - JobID-0322
$90K - $184K *
Transform the future of defense technology by designing, testing, and delivering innovative software solutions. Collaborate with a dynamic team to tackle complex challenges and ensure high-quality, se...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer: Test Automation
$76K - $115K *
Join a team that's redefining quality assurance through innovative test automation. Collaborate across functions to enhance software reliability and performance, ensuring robust frameworks and seamles...
2 days ago
System Development Engineer , Workday
$110K - $130K *
Join us to engineer seamless Workday integrations that enhance finance operations. You'll optimize data flows, automate processes, and ensure accurate financial reporting, empowering storytellers to g...
2 days ago
Principal, Release Engineer (Automation Developer)
$136K - $195K *
Contribute to the automation and optimization of software release processes, ensuring timely delivery and high quality. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance CI/CD pipelines and manage de...
1 week ago
$180K - $300K *
Transform complex challenges into innovative solutions for cutting-edge space vehicles. Collaborate with diverse engineering teams to ensure robust fault tolerance and autonomy in high-stakes environm...
1 week ago
$180K - $300K *
Lead the development of innovative space vehicles and systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to solve complex engineering challenges. Drive technology integration and ensure fault toleranc...
1 week ago
Systems Development Engineer, S3
$129K - $174K *
Strategize development solutions by leading small engineering teams to automate and improve AWS operations. Collaborate directly with customers to diagnose needs and deliver resilient software through...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Staff Software Development Engineer in Test (Multiple Positions)
$219K - $353K *
Empower innovation by developing automated testing tools and frameworks, enhancing product quality, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize user experience and efficiency in an agile...
6 days ago
Staff Software Development Engineer in Test (Multiple Positions)
$219K - $353K *
Join us to develop automated testing tools and frameworks, enhancing product quality and user experience. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize CI/CD pipelines and advocate for engineeri...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Develop secure, scalable applications while collaborating across teams. Drive innovation and ensure software quality by integrating security into CI/CD workflows. Your expertise in full stack developm...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $130K *
Transform quality assurance processes by implementing automated testing, honing expertise in API and backend testing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance application reliability through...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Transform the quality assurance landscape by developing and maintaining automated test scripts, ensuring the reliability of web applications and APIs through innovative testing strategies and collabor...
4 days ago
$100K - $130K *
Advance quality assurance by leading automated and manual testing activities to enhance backend applications and API systems. Collaborate across teams to ensure high standards and continuous improveme...
4 weeks ago
Mission Systems Automation Engineer
$94K - $198K *
Join a team that's poised to design and implement innovative IT systems, driving mission success through cutting-edge automation and DevOps practices while managing complex technical challenges in a d...
Reposted 1 week ago
What is a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.