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.
$107K - $195K *
Tackle complex software challenges by developing scalable applications using Java/Python and LLM APIs. Collaborate in an agile environment to deliver innovative solutions while ensuring compliance and...
4 days ago
Forward Deployed Software Engineer
$135K - $200K *
Champion innovative solutions by collaborating with clients to tackle complex challenges using cutting-edge technology and data. Drive impactful projects from ideation to deployment, leveraging AI and...
2 days ago
Principal Software Development Engineer
$195K - $323K *
Lead the development and delivery of secure software solutions, driving innovation and strategic decisions across departments while ensuring compliance and quality standards in a dynamic financial ser...
Reposted yesterday
$90K - $130K *
Optimize hardware validation and automated testing for autonomous systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, implement, and debug innovative solutions for military and commercial ve...
1 week ago
Software Engineer (Technical Leadership)
$160K - $200K *
Elevate your career by leading cross-functional initiatives that shape the technical vision for large-scale product systems. Collaborate with engineering, legal, and policy teams to ensure compliance...
1 week ago
Software Engineer (Technical Leadership)
$166K - $200K *
Drive the technical vision for large-scale product systems, ensuring privacy compliance while enhancing engineering excellence. Collaborate across teams to solve complex challenges and mentor engineer...
1 week ago
Software Engineer (Technical Leadership)
$160K - $200K *
Shape the future of privacy engineering by driving technical vision and standards across large-scale systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve complex challenges while ensuring complia...
1 week ago
Senior Test Automation Analyst
$97K - $114K *
Lead the charge in advancing quality engineering through test automation, leveraging Playwright and TypeScript. Collaborate with stakeholders, mentor teams, and integrate AI tools to enhance testing p...
1 week ago
$63K - $117K *
Join a dynamic team to validate and enhance software for USSTRATCOM's nuclear mission. Collaborate in a DevSecOps environment, ensuring high-quality deployments and modern web-based solutions that mee...
2 weeks ago
$79K - $147K *
Develop and execute automated software testing strategies for integrated hardware systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams in an Agile environment to enhance maritime ISR capabilities and en...
2 weeks ago
Sr Software Development Engineer - BIOS/UEFI, AWS Hardware Engineering, Firmware Development
$193K - $261K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative UEFI/BIOS solutions for cutting-edge server platforms, ensuring high performance and security. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize firmware for...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - Cloud Automation
$160K - $193K *
Accelerate your career by managing AWS infrastructure at scale, ensuring security, and optimizing developer tools. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance cloud services and drive efficiency acr...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - Cloud Automation
$160K - $193K *
Champion the foundational infrastructure and security for AWS workloads, ensuring seamless operations across engineering teams. Drive cloud efficiency, manage shared resources, and enhance developer t...
2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer, Early Career - 2027 (US)
$128K *
Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to design and develop innovative products, utilizing AI tools and best practices in coding, while ensuring operational excellence and effective communication...
1 week ago
System Development Engineer II - AMZ9890898
$187K - $201K *
Partner with us to design, implement, and support automated solutions enhancing fleet operations. Lead troubleshooting efforts, mentor engineers, and optimize corporate infrastructure for improved eff...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Lead Software Development Engineer - AI Engineering
$120K - $145K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI Engineering, designing and developing innovative cloud-native solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Lead Software Development Engineer - AI Engineering
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in integrating AI-driven solutions that enhance customer experiences. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, develop, and maintain cutting-edge cloud applications, ensuring high pe...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer, Measurement, Ad Tech, and Data Science (MADS)
$143K - $194K *
Join a high-impact team to develop AI-driven advertising tools that enhance user experience and streamline campaign management for global advertisers while ensuring system scalability and robustness...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Principal System and Solution Test Engineer
$185K - $265K *
Transform your career by driving quality strategies in network security and cloud services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build robust automated testing frameworks and enhance customer ex...
3 weeks ago
$115K - $130K *
Lead the charge in ensuring AI agent quality through innovative evals, regression tracking, and automated testing. Collaborate with teams to maintain product integrity and enhance performance, driving...
3 weeks ago
$180K - $250K *
Innovate the design and delivery of cutting-edge SaaS solutions powered by data, ML, and AI. Own key technical areas driving high-quality product features through collaboration, backend development, a...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Compute
$196K - $243K *
Unlock your potential by building critical, large-scale distributed systems that simplify Kubernetes deployment for engineers, enhancing their productivity and experience in a dynamic, collaborative e...
6 days ago
$81K - $134K *
Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring software quality through rigorous testing and validation. Collaborate with developers and stakeholders to uphold standards and enhance application performance...
Yesterday
$81K - $134K *
Drive quality assurance efforts by evaluating software development work, ensuring adherence to standards and requirements. Collaborate with teams to validate functionality, security, and performance t...
Yesterday
$130K - $155K *
Join a team that's redefining software development leadership by managing globally distributed teams, driving innovation, and ensuring the delivery of secure, reliable software solutions that meet cus...
3 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.