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 (New Grad / Entry Level)
$110K - $140K *
Engage in full-lifecycle software development, collaborating on design and coding to enhance a distributed storage engine. Contribute to innovative features while honing your engineering skills in a s...
1 week ago
System Development Engineer II, REALM
$129K - $174K *
Optimize production software by troubleshooting, automating, and enhancing systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues and implement solutions, ensuring high-impact results acro...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead backend development and API architecture, ensuring security, performance, and data integrity while collaborating with cross-functional teams and vendors to deliver robust solutions...
3 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in backend development and API architecture for a transformative job assistance tool, ensuring data integrity, security, and performance while collaborating with cross-functional teams...
3 days ago
Automation / Dev Tester - TS required to apply - Arlington VA
$80K - $95K *
Optimize automated testing processes by designing, developing, and maintaining scripts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust application validation and enhance testing frameworks f...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Partner with us to deliver expert guidance on software for safety-critical systems. Collaborate with development and sales teams, providing training and solutions to enhance product integration and cu...
Reposted 1 month ago
Software Test Engineer - Kinetic Effects
$69K - $125K *
Unlock your potential as part of a dynamic team driving quality in innovative software test infrastructures for mission-critical systems. Collaborate on testing efforts and enhance product quality in...
3 weeks ago
Software Test Engineer - Kinetic Effects
$87K - $157K *
Transform the software testing landscape by innovating robust solutions for embedded systems, leading test planning and execution, while collaborating with diverse teams to ensure exceptional product...
3 weeks ago
Software Dev Engineer II, Infrastructure Supply Chain Automation
$143K - $194K *
Transform your career by collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to design and build innovative technologies that drive industry change and deliver high-quality software solutions at scale...
1 week ago
Senior Software Development Engineer, FAIM (Full Funnel Agentic Intelligence and Models)
$184K - $250K *
Shape the technical strategy for innovative AI-driven advertising solutions, leading a startup team to design and implement scalable architectures that redefine vertical advertising across diverse ind...
2 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the design and execution of performance testing strategies to ensure software applications meet scalability and usability standards. Collaborate with development teams to identify bottlenecks and...
5 days ago
Senior Application Engineer - Semiconductor Test
$130K - $155K *
Join a dynamic team to optimize advanced SoC devices for AI compute and inference. Collaborate across silicon, software, and customer programs to tackle complex semiconductor test challenges in a hand...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer II, ADC2S
$143K - $194K *
Join a team that's redefining cloud infrastructure by designing and operating EC2 control-plane services in secure, air-gapped environments. Drive innovation and quality while collaborating with engin...
2 days ago
Software Engineer Skill Level 3 (SWE3) - 528
$199K - $235K *
Join us to bridge gaps between developers, sysadmins, and stakeholders by designing and automating custom solutions that enhance productivity and efficiency across enterprise systems...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Engineer Skill Level 3 (SWE3) - 528
$199K - $235K *
Unlock your potential in a pivotal role connecting developers, sysadmins, and mission customers. Design, build, and maintain plugins, automate workflows, and enhance efficiency across complex environm...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Unlock potential by leading server production testing, ensuring quality and efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize processes and uphold global standards in a dynamic manufactu...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Join a dynamic team to design and implement robust testing strategies, ensuring software quality through automation and manual testing. Collaborate with engineers to enhance product reliability and fo...
1 week ago
Staff Software Engineer I (Open)
$118K - $219K *
Shape the future of AI-driven legal content tools by leading API design, ensuring accuracy, and enhancing developer experience. Drive cross-team initiatives and establish best practices in a high-impa...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer - R01571170
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovation as you build and ship full-stack applications, owning features across sprints. Collaborate in an Agile environment, leveraging modern technologies to create scalable, resilient system...
Yesterday
Sr Software Test Engineer - Future Forward Team
$130K - $155K *
Lead the verification lifecycle for advanced robotic surgical systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, execute, and manage comprehensive testing strategies that ensure software re...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer, EC2 UltraServer Delivery Team
$143K - $194K *
Deliver cutting-edge cloud-based solutions by designing and orchestrating complex multi-asset provisioning workflows. Collaborate cross-functionally, ensuring efficient operations and integrating hard...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer II, AWS Activate
$143K - $194K *
Join us to innovate and build applications that empower startups on AWS. Collaborate with a diverse team to create tools that enhance customer experience, drive growth, and deliver cutting-edge soluti...
1 week ago
$110K - $155K *
Unlock potential by developing and executing test strategies for embedded firmware in laser systems, ensuring software quality through comprehensive testing and collaboration with cross-functional tea...
1 week ago
Software Quality Assurance Engineer - DO178
$90K - $110K *
Unlock your potential as a Software Quality Assurance Engineer, ensuring compliance with DO-178 and DO-254 standards. Collaborate with engineers and certification authorities to enhance software quali...
1 week ago
Software Engineer - Enterprise Engineering
$135K - $160K *
Shape the future of enterprise software by designing and building scalable, secure backend systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance deployment and integration capabilities, ensuring...
3 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.