📖 The PathMatch Guide to

Software Development Engineering in Test (SDET)

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We're still working on this Career Path.
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A Day in the Life

An SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) is a software developer who develops software (tools, frameworks, and automated tests) for testing, instead of working in the product development team, an SDET works as part of the test team. Most software products and apps today require end-to-end test automation, especially in the areas of functionality, performance, and security testing.

Work Responsibilities

Growth Path

  1. Software Development Engineer in Test
  2. Sr. Software Development Engineer in Test
  3. Quality Assurance Manager
  4. Director of Quality Assurance

Skills You'll Need

  • Strong coding skills in JavaScript/Node.js, Java, Python, C#, C++
  • Modern version-control systems for source code repository like Git, Mercurial, GitHub, or BitBucket
  • Front-end testing tools like Selenium Web Driver, and Grid, front-end automation tools such as Selenium or Appium
  • Tools such as JIRA, RALLY, Confluence, Jenkins, TestRail

Industries You'll Work In

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Teams You'll Work With

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Demand for Talent

  • Companies investing more and more in automation and digital transformation means no end in sight for SDET demand
  • SDETs are adept in both Quality Engineering and Software Development, which both require a high level of skill, meaning demand far outweighs supply
  • Talent shortage = high salaries

Compensation

$85K-$110K
Software Development Engineer in Test
$95K-$125K
Sr. Software Development Engineer in Test
$120K-$150K
Quality Assurance Manager
$125K-$160K+
Director of Quality Assurance
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Work/Life Balance Score

Work/life balance is when someone equally prioritizes their career and their personal life. This balance can vary greatly from one career to the next.

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Job Stability Score

Job stability is about more than your experience and career. As industries decline, so do the jobs in them.

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Prestige Score

Job stability is about more than your experience and career. As industries decline, so do the jobs in them.

The future of work is here.

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