Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) Jobs

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.

What Does an SDET Do?

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.

Common SDET Skills and Qualifications

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.

Career Paths in Software Quality Engineering

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.

Find SDET Jobs on Ladders

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.

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$90K - $110K *

Join our team to ensure software and instruments work seamlessly together. You'll lead testing from integration to release, collaborate with developers, and drive automation efforts, all while contrib...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $135K *

Transform the future of autonomous technology by analyzing performance data, identifying failure modes, and collaborating with teams to enhance workflows. Drive quality assurance and root cause analys...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$168K - $227K *

Drive innovation by leading the design and delivery of complex software systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system architecture and mentor engineers, ensuring high-quality code...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$125K - $175K *

Explore a dynamic role where you'll design, build, and scale software systems, enhancing data privacy and utility for precision medicine. Collaborate across teams to deliver high-quality, reliable pro...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $160K *

Engineer innovative software solutions that enhance patient data privacy while enabling precision medicine research. Collaborate across teams to design, build, and scale robust systems, ensuring high...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$208K - $306K *

Join a team that's redefining engineering excellence by leading platform services that enhance software development. Drive innovation, consolidate capabilities, and foster a culture of collaboration t...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K - $155K *

Make your mark by designing cutting-edge control systems for UAVs. This role involves developing algorithms, optimizing flight performance, and integrating machine learning to enhance autonomy—all whi...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$65K - $115K *

Join a team that's redefining QA automation through innovative solutions across desktop, web, and API platforms. Collaborate within Agile environments to enhance quality, implement CI/CD practices, an...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$128K - $173K *

Elevate your career by designing and integrating AI solutions for a secure, on-premises chatbot platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and reliability while ensuring...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI by architecting and developing scalable systems. Leverage your expertise to mentor engineers and drive impactful initiatives in a dynamic startup environmen...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $217K *

Lead the charge in designing innovative, scalable software solutions that transform complex processes into actionable insights, partnering with diverse teams to deliver high-performance applications f...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $155K *

Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on designing and implementing scalable systems. Collaborate on complex projects, mentor peers, and drive technical excellence while contributing to impactf...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$143K - $194K *

Champion the design and development of scalable software systems that enhance security communications workflows, collaborating across teams to deliver impactful solutions that prioritize customer outc...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$85K - $158K *

Pioneer innovative software solutions for advanced fire control systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and integrate embedded software, ensuring reliability in a fast-pac...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Lead quality assurance initiatives in a dynamic digital environment, ensuring robust testing and analysis for web and mobile applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance project qu...

Montreal, QCIn-Person

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Unlock potential by leading complex test and evaluation activities, analyzing system requirements, and developing strategies to ensure mission-critical effectiveness and risk management in collaborati...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's redefining software quality assurance with an automation-first strategy. Lead and inspire a skilled team to ensure robust testing across firmware, compilers, and inference serving...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$118K - $146K *

Support lab operations by managing the laboratory information management system (LIMS). Collaborate with scientists to enhance data accuracy and automate processes, ensuring efficient data handling an...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$148K - $275K *

Join a dynamic team as you support the software engineering lifecycle, focusing on testing and verification. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary groups to ensure high-quality software delivery in a fa...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$161K - $258K *

Elevate your career by leading the development of HAL software and system integration for cutting-edge test instruments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-performance solutions w...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$255K - $290K *

Drive the technical vision for a complex database platform, ensuring scalability and performance. Lead architecture decisions, mentor engineers, and collaborate across teams to enhance data infrastruc...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's shaping mission-critical C2 software solutions. Collaborate in an Agile environment, tackling complex technical challenges to enhance global operations while developing and maintain...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$63K - $127K *

Optimize testing processes for IP/telecommunication systems across diverse hardware platforms. Collaborate with engineers to develop test plans, document defects, and ensure quality in a dynamic lab e...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$232K - $258K *

Transform software verification by building systems that ensure backend changes are safe, reliable, and meaningful. Collaborate with engineers and AI agents to enhance testing quality and streamline c...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that’s driving innovation by identifying hardware weaknesses and ensuring reliability through comprehensive testing, automation, and root cause analysis, directly impacting product develop...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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.