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, Level 2 (AE26101510)
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping innovative software solutions through automated testing and agile collaboration. Leverage your expertise in Java/Python and AWS to drive impactful projects in a dynamic envi...
1 week ago
Software Engineer, Level 2 (AE26101510)
$100K - $120K *
Optimize software solutions by implementing automated tests and collaborating with system engineers in an agile environment, leveraging AWS cloud technologies to enhance functionality and efficiency...
1 week ago
Staff Software Engineer - Managed Kubernetes
$160K - $190K *
Drive development of cutting-edge Managed Kubernetes platform for AI. Collaborate cross-functionally to shape infrastructure solutions that enhance performance, reliability, and simplicity for large-s...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer, Gen AI, Connect
$143K - $194K *
Transform customer interactions by designing and deploying AI-driven solutions. Collaborate with ML scientists to shape strategy and architecture while mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced envir...
4 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in developing advanced software solutions for NASA's spacecraft systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, implement, and validate cutting-edge technologies that enhance space...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Contribute to NASA's mission by designing and deploying spacecraft simulators, ensuring advanced verification and validation of software systems. Join a dynamic team dedicated to innovation in aerospa...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Accelerate progress at NASA by designing and deploying advanced spacecraft simulators. Join a dynamic team focused on software testing and validation for cutting-edge aerospace projects, ensuring the...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Drive the design and development of NASA spacecraft simulators, ensuring advanced verification and validation of software systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance ground software and smalls...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Lead the charge in developing advanced software solutions for NASA's spacecraft simulators, ensuring robust verification and validation processes while collaborating with a dynamic team of engineers i...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team to design and develop NASA spacecraft simulators, enhancing verification and validation processes for advanced space missions. Collaborate on innovative software solutions that imp...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing NASA's software testing and simulation efforts. Collaborate on designing and deploying spacecraft simulators, ensuring the integrity of critical systems throu...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Development Engineer, Amazon Private Brands
$150K - $251K *
Elevate the development of AI-powered systems by leading full-stack design, architecture, and operations. Drive innovative solutions that enhance product lifecycle management and mentor engineers to a...
3 weeks ago
$155K - $165K *
Drive impactful software solutions by collaborating with cross-functional teams, providing technical leadership, and translating business needs into scalable architectures that enhance operational eff...
3 weeks ago
Technical Instructor/Courseware Developer
$80K - $100K *
Develop and deliver engaging training materials and sessions, enhancing customer understanding of product offerings while collaborating with cross-functional teams for continuous improvement and effec...
Reposted 1 week ago
Software Development Engineer II, Amazon S3 Metadata
$114K - $191K *
Join a team that's redefining scalable software solutions, developing robust metadata infrastructure and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality deployments. Drive innovation...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Software Development Engineering
$212K - $265K *
Join us to lead a high-performing software development team, driving innovation in AI and cloud operations. Collaborate with executives to scale services and enhance product architecture, ensuring imp...
4 days ago
Senior Principal Software Development Engineer, Consumer AI Architect
$191K - $239K *
Elevate consumer experiences by driving AI innovations and technical direction across engineering teams, enhancing high-traffic services for millions. Mentor talent, establish best practices, and deli...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer , Ground Control Console (GC2)
$143K - $194K *
Transform operational tooling by developing scalable software solutions to support complex space missions. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance and drive innovative improvements across the...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Development Engineer, Creative Asset Library, CreativeX
$143K - $194K *
Champion the development of innovative software solutions, driving the full lifecycle from design to deployment. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance systems and mentor peers, ensuring high-qualit...
6 days ago
$100K - $115K *
Manage the build promotion and deployment processes across teams, ensuring seamless coordination and communication. Drive resolution of project conflicts while overseeing incident triage to maintain s...
3 weeks ago
Software Development Test Engineer - Remote (WFH)
$95K - $115K *
Champion quality assurance by driving manual and automated testing for web and mobile applications, ensuring compliance and security throughout the development lifecycle while collaborating with Agile...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - Deployment Infrastructure, EBS Server Agility
$168K - $227K *
Lead the design and management of safe, autonomous server deployment systems, ensuring security and efficiency across large-scale infrastructure that serves millions of customers globally...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Software Development Engineer (Loyalty)
$249K - $348K *
Innovate within a dynamic team to design scalable AI-powered loyalty systems, driving engagement and growth. Lead technical vision and architecture, mentoring engineers while forging cross-team alignm...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$85K - $100K *
Drive innovation by converting existing Veristand tests into a Python framework. Collaborate with a dedicated team in the Medical Device Industry on a 3-month contract, with potential for extension, w...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's redefining vehicle testing by developing innovative systems for Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Collaborate with engineers and vendors to enhance design verification processes and optimiz...
2 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.