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.
Staff Software Engineer, Constraint Generation
$120K - $145K *
Unlock the potential of autonomous vehicles by developing motion planning components. Collaborate across teams to design, implement, and test high-performance software that enhances on-road performanc...
5 days ago
$180K - $275K *
Engineer AI-driven workflows to transform complex risk management processes. Collaborate across teams to design, build, and iterate on reliable systems that enhance productivity and deliver innovative...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Manufacturing Test
$191K - $253K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of software engineering by enhancing automation in manufacturing tests. Tackle complex, multiplatform challenges and drive innovative solutions through robust anal...
Reposted 1 week ago
Software Engineer - Enterprise Development
$80K - $95K *
Contribute to innovative software solutions that enhance business efficiency, streamline decision-making, and support strategic objectives. Collaborate with teams to design, implement, and maintain im...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior Software Development Engineer, PreStart Domain
$168K - $227K *
Transform the capabilities of global hiring by architecting scalable software systems that enhance the employee journey, leveraging technical acumen to deliver robust, high-quality solutions in collab...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer II, AWS Emerging Planning Solutions
$143K - $194K *
Join a team that's pioneering innovative cloud solutions, tackling big data and machine learning challenges. Collaborate with top talent to enhance customer experiences and drive operational excellenc...
5 days ago
Software Development Engineer, Inter Datacenter Network Engineering
$143K - $194K *
Drive the design and development of intelligent network controllers, tackling optimization and distributed-systems challenges. Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to enhance network performance...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Drive innovation in test engineering by developing solutions for embedded military systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance test methods and troubleshoot issues, while gaining hands...
2 weeks ago
Software Developer (Systems Software)
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential by leading a dynamic team to enhance enterprise IT support, driving efficiencies in talent management and compliance through innovative web-based solutions and best practices...
4 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing military simulation systems through rigorous testing and validation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and reliability while managi...
1 week ago
Sr. Systems Development Engineer, Test Automation, Sustaining Engineering
$151K - $204K *
Join a team that's redefining satellite communications through systems engineering. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize hardware/software integration, troubleshoot yield issues, and dr...
3 weeks ago
System Development Engineer, Amazon Leo, Amazon Leo
$129K - $174K *
Drive the design and implementation of test automation frameworks for satellite networks, ensuring robust validation across hardware and software layers while enhancing operational excellence in a hig...
2 days ago
Software Development Manager, Elastic Container Service
$171K - $286K *
Lead and develop a team of engineers to enhance a large-scale distributed system. Drive operational excellence, collaborate across teams, and ensure high availability and security while delivering inn...
6 days ago
Principal Software Development Engineer
$168K - $252K *
Join a dynamic team to build innovative AI-driven solutions that enhance HR and Finance workflows. Collaborate across disciplines to create scalable, user-friendly products that simplify complex proce...
Today
Software Development Engineer , ADC2S
$143K - $194K *
Drive the design and operation of EC2 control-plane services in secure, air-gapped environments. Collaborate with teams to enhance infrastructure, automate processes, and ensure high-quality software...
2 days ago
Software Development Engineer , ADC2S
$143K - $194K *
Join a dynamic team to design and operate secure EC2 control-plane services in air-gapped environments, enhancing cloud infrastructure for government clients. Own features from design to production, d...
2 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock your potential as an Automated Test Engineer, driving innovation and quality assurance on critical government projects. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance military mission success while...
3 weeks ago
$92K - $110K *
Engineer automated testing solutions to enhance software quality and reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams on diverse government projects, leveraging your expertise in cutting-edge tech...
3 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer II - ArcGIS Enterprise
$101K - $167K *
Transform the future of mapping and analytics by developing scalable, reliable software solutions. Collaborate with a global team to enhance ArcGIS Enterprise, leveraging cutting-edge technology to de...
1 week ago
Software Dev Engineer II, AWS Applied AI Solutions
$143K - $194K *
Shape the future of AI governance by owning end-to-end feature development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that enhance trust in autonomous agents while thrivi...
1 week ago
$143K - $194K *
Develop scalable distributed systems to process high-velocity data streams, enhance storage architecture, and create accessible APIs, driving innovation in data ingestion and actionable insights from...
1 week ago
$143K - $194K *
Join a team that's revolutionizing AI in fulfillment by enabling diverse teams to create custom agents effortlessly. You'll build a robust platform that balances flexibility and simplicity, impacting...
1 week ago
Software Engineer (Contractor)
$110K - $130K *
Build innovative technology solutions for Equity Portfolio Management. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance functionality and maintain high software quality, while leveraging modern practices and...
Reposted 4 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Transform customer experiences by deploying cutting-edge systems, providing hands-on support, and bridging the gap between field operations and R&D. Engage in live debugging, training, and feature dev...
3 weeks ago
$122K - $183K *
Accelerate progress at our engineering team by developing robust automation and testing infrastructure. Collaborate on hardware-software integration, enhancing capabilities in a dynamic CI environment...
2 weeks 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.