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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$140K - $160K *

Drive the development of critical enterprise applications for defense personnel, utilizing Java, Spring Boot, and Angular. Collaborate in an agile team to enhance program and financial management tool...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$232K - $258K *

Reimagine software verification by building systems that ensure backend changes are safe. Collaborate with engineers and AI agents to define meaningful tests, enhance reliability, and shape the future...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$95K - $115K *

Drive innovation by owning the testing and validation of designs into flight-ready hardware. Collaborate across engineering and operations to ensure rigorous testing and data-driven improvements in a...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Lead the charge in transforming designs into flight-ready hardware through rigorous testing and analysis. Collaborate across engineering and operations to validate systems, ensuring high-quality perfo...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of automotive technology by developing cutting-edge TPMS hardware and software. Take charge of design reviews, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and co...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$138K - $165K *

Transform high-quality cloud-based systems by developing scalable applications, integrating open source software, and enhancing user experiences through innovative solutions and regular feature releas...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Partner with us to enhance our software capabilities by developing full-stack solutions. Collaborate with engineers to implement features, fix bugs, and support deployment while utilizing best practic...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovation in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems by owning ECU-level requirements, managing supplier relations, and ensuring validation execution for high-quality control systems across diverse...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge trading applications that enhance risk management and analytics for Fixed Income and Commodities. Collaborate globally to optimize performance and deliver i...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$143K - $194K *

Develop flexible and scalable networking architecture for high throughput telecom services. Collaborate on innovative control plane solutions that integrate LEO satellites, terrestrial networks, and c...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

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

$114K - $191K *

Join a team that's transforming identity management by designing innovative services that empower customers to manage workforce identities and access across AWS applications seamlessly and securely...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

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

$202K - $224K *

Join us as a Senior Backend Engineer, where you'll architect scalable APIs, drive performance, and ensure system reliability across platforms. Engage with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful t...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$202K - $224K *

Join a dynamic team as you architect APIs, optimize performance, and drive the reliability of core services in a high-throughput environment, collaborating cross-functionally to enhance technical stan...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$120K - $145K *

Drive the design and development of innovative software solutions while mentoring junior engineers. Leverage extensive technical expertise to enhance system architecture and ensure high-quality delive...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$161K - $249K *

Join a team that's driving engineering excellence to deliver reliable and scalable solutions. As a Staff Software Engineer, you'll lead initiatives, mentor engineers, and solve complex challenges in a...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$125K - $150K *

Transform your career by owning complex software features that integrate virtual machines into a secure platform. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions while establishing strong eng...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $280K *

Explore advanced radar capabilities by designing and developing cutting-edge signal processing algorithms. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to optimize performance and lead innovative project...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $280K *

Unlock potential by driving the design and development of advanced radar systems. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to create innovative algorithms and optimize performance, while mentoring ju...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$138K - $165K *

Transform your career by leading the modernization of enterprise platforms and client integration capabilities. Drive innovation in cloud-native solutions, enhance system resilience, and shape enginee...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Champion innovation by leading the modernization of enterprise platforms and client integration capabilities, driving scalable, cloud-native solutions that enhance operational excellence and client ex...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$128K - $214K *

Optimize software testing processes by leveraging automation and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure system integrity and compliance across diverse domains, enhancing overall product q...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$128K - $214K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of software testing, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure system integrity through comprehensive evaluation plans and automated methodologies, while...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$123K - $176K *

Elevate your career as a Senior Software Engineer, enhancing web applications using cutting-edge technologies. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver impactful solutions while mentoring junior deve...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$171K - $286K *

Pioneer innovative engineering solutions by leading diverse teams to enhance the ordering platform, ensuring efficient collaboration with stakeholders while driving high-quality product outcomes for a...

Vancouver, BCIn-Person

Reposted 4 weeks ago

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

$149K - $275K *

Elevate your career by leading optimization strategies for AI software solutions. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance and scalability of AI inference workloads on Intel GPU platforms, driv...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

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.