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 Engineer, Code Quality
$159K - $235K *
Innovate quality assurance processes by building robust tooling and automation for code quality checks, enhancing engineering efficiency and reliability in production workflows across diverse developm...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Engineer, Code Quality
$159K - $235K *
Innovate quality tooling and automation systems that enhance engineering workflows. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure reliable code quality and fast deployment, shaping the development lifecycl...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Engineer, Code Quality
$159K - $235K *
Innovate and maintain robust code quality systems, enhancing the development process by integrating static analysis, quality gates, and test frameworks to ensure reliable engineering workflows across...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Engineer, Code Quality
$159K - $235K *
Collaborate to build and maintain essential code quality tooling that empowers engineers across the organization. Shape and streamline development workflows to enhance testing and integration, ensurin...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software/ Principal Software Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing air and missile defense systems. Collaborate with Agile teams to develop secure software solutions that tackle complex challenges, ensuring effective battlefi...
3 days ago
Senior Software Development Engineer, Platform
$150K - $165K *
Empower high-tech innovation by building robust backend solutions. Influence product development on cutting-edge SaaS platforms while collaborating with industry leaders to enhance the capabilities of...
Reposted 2 days ago
Software Development Engineer , Amazon Leo
$143K - $194K *
Transform satellite systems through embedded software development and security feature integration, collaborating closely across teams to ensure robust device interfaces and application support...
3 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer , Amazon Leo
$143K - $194K *
Innovate software solutions for a global telecom service, overseeing design, development, and implementation of applications that enhance connectivity for diverse communities across the globe...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer , Amazon Leo
$143K - $194K *
Contribute to building advanced telecom software for a groundbreaking global satellite initiative. Collaborate with diverse engineering teams to shape innovative customer engagement systems and enhanc...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$93K - $143K *
Drive the design and development of software systems across platforms, ensuring robust architecture and performance. Collaborate with stakeholders to troubleshoot issues and enhance system integration...
2 days ago
$130K - $155K *
Innovate and enhance a Kubernetes-native application, driving backend and frontend development with Go, TypeScript, and Python. Collaborate across teams to ensure operational excellence and maintain c...
Today
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by leading the development of a Kubernetes-native application, enhancing backend services and web frontends while collaborating across teams to ensure operational excellence and innov...
Today
Senior Embedded Software Test Engineer, Onboard Test Automation
$130K - $155K *
Shape the future of autonomous vehicles by validating onboard software systems. As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer, you'll enhance software quality through automated testing, collaborating across...
3 weeks ago
Senior Field Software Test Engineer
$80K - $120K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on software testing and integration. Collaborate on national security projects, enhancing innovative technology through rigorous testing and configuration...
Reposted 5 days ago
Senior Field Software Test Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of software testing by collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to enhance national security projects through rigorous acceptance, integration, and regression testing, ensuring hig...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Development Engineer, New Security Service
$193K - $261K *
Unlock potential by leading the design and development of an innovative security management product utilizing AI. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and guide developers to deliver advanced, scal...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Software Test Engineer - Test Automation
$95K - $115K *
Contribute to the quality assurance of a cutting-edge industrial platform by creating and executing tests. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to validate features and enhance customer experience...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Contribute to the development of innovative software solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to manage, design, and deploy scalable distributed services in dynamic production environments...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer , DC Console/InfraMap
$143K - $194K *
Empower teams by building a robust platform for seamless data center operations, enabling independent feature deployment and enhancing real-time visualizations for critical site management across AWS...
1 week ago
$224K - $274K *
Unlock potential by leading software development teams to design, enhance, and maintain complex systems. Collaborate with engineers to ensure high-quality software solutions that meet user requirement...
3 weeks ago
$224K - $274K *
Elevate your career by developing and enhancing complex software systems. Collaborate with teams to analyze requirements, debug software, and implement innovative solutions that meet performance stand...
3 weeks ago
$224K - $274K *
Transform your career by developing and enhancing complex software systems. Collaborate with teams to analyze requirements, debug software, and implement innovative solutions that meet performance sta...
3 weeks ago
$224K - $274K *
Lead innovative software development efforts, enhancing complex systems through collaboration and technical expertise. Drive projects from design to implementation, ensuring quality and performance st...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Quality Engineer
$107K - $161K *
Grow quality assurance by implementing robust CI/CD testing strategies that enhance enterprise web applications and APIs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to embed quality throughout the develo...
3 weeks ago
Member Experience Software Development Engineer II - III
$112K - $151K *
Unlock your potential by joining a dynamic team focused on developing innovative software solutions. Collaborate across teams to enhance application systems, ensuring seamless delivery and maintenance...
6 days 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.