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 - CV Test Infrastructure, Annapurna ML, CV Test Infrastructure
$143K - $194K *
Shape the future of validation systems by designing robust diagnostic tools and building automated test frameworks. Collaborate across teams to ensure quality, enhance CI/CD pipelines, and optimize re...
Reposted 1 month ago
Software Development Engineer, Agentic AI, Velocity Labs
$143K - $194K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI-driven software solutions. You'll design, build, and implement innovative services, ensuring high-quality delivery while collaborating with cross-functional...
2 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive system integration and testing for hypersonic vehicles, ensuring compliance with performance standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage risks and document processes, contributi...
Reposted 1 week ago
$112K - $173K *
Empower our team by designing and implementing innovative software solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver secure, scalable applications that meet business needs in the fintech s...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Development Engineer
$129K - $174K *
Champion innovation by developing robust software solutions, overseeing all phases of the SDLC. Collaborate with cross-functional teams in an agile environment, mentoring junior developers and enhanci...
Reposted 1 week ago
Software Development Engineer II, Enterprise Productivity
$143K - $194K *
Join a team that's dedicated to building scalable software solutions that enhance customer experiences. You'll own the full development lifecycle, collaborate with peers, and mentor fellow engineers w...
1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Lead and mentor a team of SDETs to enhance automated testing for Unreal Engine, driving quality assurance initiatives and fostering a culture of excellence in software engineering practices across the...
1 week ago
$155K - $258K *
Lead and mentor a team of SDETs to enhance automated testing for Unreal Engine. Drive quality initiatives, develop frameworks, and ensure robust test coverage while collaborating with engineering lead...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - DevTest / QA Automation
$110K - $130K *
Empower innovation by building automated testing frameworks and infrastructure for enterprise software, leveraging robust engineering practices to ensure quality, reliability, and maintainability acro...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$189K - $222K *
Champion the evolution of testing infrastructure by designing and building a scalable environment for validation and experimentation across the engineering teams, all while mentoring junior engineers...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Quality Assurance SDET Engineer
$95K - $122K *
Elevate software quality by ensuring intuitive user experiences through rigorous testing and automation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements and validate AI-assisted impleme...
5 days ago
Software Development Engineer II, S3 API Experience
$143K - $194K *
Join a team that's redefining cloud storage by building scalable, fault-tolerant systems for reading customer data. Collaborate with experts to enhance S3's performance and reliability, impacting mill...
3 days ago
Senior Test Automation Engineer
$145K - $187K *
Lead a team of Test Automation Engineers to design and implement innovative test solutions, ensuring product reliability and safety through effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and hand...
1 week ago
Senior Software Development Engineer
$180K - $185K *
Transform the ArcGIS Enterprise platform by developing scalable, reliable software solutions. Collaborate with a global team to enhance mapping and analytics capabilities, utilizing cutting-edge techn...
3 days ago
$90K - $110K *
Lead the charge in enhancing software quality through manual and automated testing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop test cases, document results, and troubleshoot issues, ensuring r...
4 days ago
$144K - $180K *
Drive innovation by designing and implementing scalable software solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product quality and user experience while mentoring junior engineers in...
5 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Empower teams by enhancing software quality through automation and testing. Guide engineering efforts to shift left on quality, ensuring reliable software delivery while fostering a culture of continu...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Software Development Engineer in Test, AI/ML
$114K - $172K *
Join a team that's redefining quality assurance in ML/AI. Lead automation efforts, develop frameworks, and ensure robust testing for innovative AI-powered products while collaborating across engineeri...
2 days ago
$161K - $220K *
Architect cutting-edge Cloud infrastructure, ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient platform services. Collaborate with teams to automate and optimize public and private cloud environments, directly...
Reposted yesterday
Software Development Engineer III
$113K - $147K *
Elevate your career in Software Development by driving innovative solutions through the entire software lifecycle. Collaborate in an agile environment to enhance quality software for leading technolog...
2 weeks ago
Embedded Software Test Automation Engineer
$125K *
Lead the design and development of automated test frameworks to enhance the quality and reliability of embedded software across multiple product lines. Collaborate with engineering teams to implement...
Reposted 1 week ago
Software Developers in Test Senior Associate
$100K - $120K *
Drive quality assurance excellence by developing and implementing robust automated testing solutions. Collaborate with developers to ensure applications meet enterprise standards, enhancing overall sy...
1 week ago
Staff Software Engineer - Test Automation & Infrastructure
$120K - $145K *
Build robust automated test systems for RF and satellite communications, ensuring reliable validations, reducing manual interventions, and enhancing development efficiency across integrated hardware a...
3 weeks ago
System Development Engineer , Workday
$142K - $192K *
Elevate finance operations by developing robust Workday integrations and automating processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate data flow and compliance, enhancing the financ...
2 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Join our innovative team to architect and develop scalable cloud-native applications utilizing AWS serverless and event-driven paradigms, while integrating with existing systems and ensuring robustnes...
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.