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.
$88K - $105K *
Tackle complex challenges as a Systems Test Engineer, providing expert technical support for Electronic Warfare systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring effective test planning, exe...
3 weeks ago
$160K - $200K *
Champion innovation as a Senior Software Engineer, driving full-stack solutions and leveraging AI tools to enhance IT lifecycle management. Collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver impactful softwar...
3 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing the Atlassian Jira ecosystem. Collaborate in an Agile environment to troubleshoot complex issues, support integrations, and maintain configurations, ensuring...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Software Test Automation Engineer
$130K - $160K *
Drive the design and development of automated testing frameworks for medical device software, enhancing efficiency and reliability while collaborating across engineering disciplines to ensure high-qua...
2 weeks ago
$82K - $152K *
Lead the charge in software testing and automation, ensuring quality and efficiency through comprehensive test plans. Collaborate with teams, analyze results, and enhance methodologies in a fast-paced...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$82K - $152K *
Optimize your career as a Senior Automation QA Engineer, overseeing comprehensive software testing and automation. Contribute to strategy development, execute test plans, and ensure high-quality softw...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Transform the feed industry by joining a dynamic team to develop innovative software solutions. Collaborate with dedicated developers to enhance our platform through intuitive interfaces and robust ba...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Empower innovation by designing and implementing testing solutions for semiconductor systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance software applications, automate testing processes, and...
3 days ago
Software Development Manager, Programming Foundations, ASBX
$184K - $250K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI-driven testing solutions, leading a dynamic engineering team to define strategy, enhance product capabilities, and deliver transformative results across Amaz...
1 week ago
Software Dev Engineer II, SDX Checkout
$114K - $191K *
Tackle innovative software challenges in a dynamic environment, collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to design scalable solutions that enhance user experiences and address complex problems in p...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$130K - $155K *
Join a team that's redefining product testing strategies, integrating cross-functional teams to enhance quality and customer experience while driving operational excellence in high-volume manufacturin...
5 days ago
Senior Application Quality Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by ensuring software quality for enterprise applications through comprehensive testing, validation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable solutions that me...
3 days ago
$150K - $200K *
Shape the future of software development by solving complex problems, designing robust applications, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to innovate and enhance product features while mainta...
5 days ago
$148K - $266K *
Unlock potential by designing and developing mission-critical systems globally. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance production services, troubleshoot issues, and maintain high-availabil...
3 weeks ago
$102K - $189K *
Champion the development of AI-driven backend systems, transforming innovative concepts into scalable solutions for legal professionals. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product capabilities...
2 days ago
$102K - $189K *
Elevate your career by driving innovative front-end solutions for AI-powered legal products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable, user-friendly interfaces while mentoring fellow...
2 days ago
$102K - $189K *
Shape the future of AI in legal tech by building scalable backend systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions and mentor fellow engineers in a dynamic, fast-paced...
2 days ago
Sr. SDE, Agentic Systems, Technical Content Experience (TCX) Engineering
$184K - $250K *
Transform the future of AI-driven documentation by architecting autonomous workflows, leading cross-functional teams, and ensuring content quality through innovative agent orchestration and evaluation...
4 days ago
$82K - $152K *
Support QA automation efforts by leading test strategy, execution, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Ensure software quality through automated and manual testing while analyzing results f...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Unlock potential by leading full-stack Java development teams to drive innovative AI solutions. Lead architecture and design while mentoring engineers, ensuring scalable and secure enterprise systems...
3 weeks ago
$108K - $130K *
Unlock potential by designing and maintaining scalable data systems that enhance analytics and AI services for government stakeholders, ensuring data readiness and security through collaboration and i...
1 week ago
$120K - $160K *
Elevate your career by designing and implementing innovative data solutions that empower government stakeholders with advanced analytics and AI services, ensuring data integrity and security while opt...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineer - II, Elastic Load Balancing (ELB)
$143K - $194K *
Transform the cloud landscape by designing and developing scalable systems for Elastic Load Balancing, ensuring high availability and performance for millions of global users while collaborating with...
1 week ago
Software Development Engineer II - Maritime
$101K - $167K *
Drive the development of high-performance GIS applications using C++ and C#. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance maritime spatial data infrastructure, ensuring quality and usability for...
4 days ago
$92K - $161K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic Agile Scrum team to design, develop, and maintain complex software solutions, collaborating across multiple teams to enhance security and meet enterprise requirem...
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.