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Associate Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in Oakland, CA

Saviynt

Associate Principal SDET

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$160K - $180K/yr

We are seeking a Associate Principal SDET to lead the architecture and evolution of our automation and quality engineering strategy for Saviynt's cloud-native Identity Security platform. In this role ...

Saviynt

Associate Principal SDET

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$160K - $180K/yr

We are seeking a Associate Principal SDET to lead the architecture and evolution of our automation and quality engineering strategy for Saviynt's cloud-native Identity Security platform. In this role ...

Saviynt

Associate Principal SDET

Milpitas, CA

$160K - $180K/yr

We are seeking a Associate Principal SDET to lead the architecture and evolution of our automation and quality engineering strategy for Saviynt's cloud-native Identity Security platform. In this role ...

PlayStation Global

SDET II

San Mateo, CA

$57 - $73.50/hr

We are looking for a Software Development Engineer in Test who can help ensure we're able to continue to grow our capabilities without negative impact to our passionate user base. What You'll Do

Incorporan.Inc

SDET

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$58.75 - $76/hr

... and engineering team's test coverage, release velocity and production health • Work closely with development teams in instrumenting their workflow to build a comprehensive picture of velocity ...

Incorporan.Inc

SDET

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$58.75 - $76/hr

... engineering team's test coverage, release velocity and production health Work closely with development teams in instrumenting their workflow to build a comprehensive picture of velocity, coverage and ...

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All JobsAssociate Software Development Engineer In Test JobsAssociate Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in Oakland, CA

Associate Software Development Engineer In Test information

See Oakland, CA salary details

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$48

$112

How much do associate software development engineer in test jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate software development engineer in test in Oakland, CA is $48.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.05 and $51.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the SDET engineer's salary?

The salary for an Associate Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) typically ranges from $70,000 to $110,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. SDETs with strong programming skills and knowledge of automation tools like Selenium or JUnit tend to earn higher salaries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Software Development Engineer In Test, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Software Development Engineer In Test, you need a solid understanding of programming languages (such as Java, Python, or JavaScript), software testing principles, and a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with automated testing frameworks (like Selenium or JUnit), version control systems (such as Git), and CI/CD tools is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with development teams and identify issues efficiently. These skills and qualities are critical for ensuring software quality, reducing defects, and supporting the agile development process.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced software engineers, especially those in senior or lead roles at large tech companies, can earn $500,000 or more annually through base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Roles such as Staff Software Engineers, Principal Engineers, or Engineering Directors often reach this compensation level, particularly in competitive markets and with extensive expertise in areas like cloud computing, AI, or large-scale systems.

Will QA or SDET get replaced by AI?

QA and SDET roles involve designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing frameworks, which require critical thinking and understanding of complex systems. While AI can assist with test automation and generate test cases, human oversight remains essential for interpreting results, handling edge cases, and ensuring software quality. Therefore, these roles are likely to evolve rather than be fully replaced by AI.

What is an Associate Software Development Engineer in Test?

An Associate Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is an entry-level professional who designs, develops, and maintains automated tests to ensure the quality and functionality of software applications. They work closely with software developers and quality assurance teams to identify bugs, create test scripts, and automate testing processes. Their primary focus is on improving software reliability and streamlining the testing workflow by using programming skills to build robust test frameworks. This role often serves as a stepping stone to more advanced positions in quality engineering or software development.

What are some typical challenges faced by an Associate Software Development Engineer In Test (SDET) when collaborating with development teams?

As an Associate SDET, one common challenge is ensuring clear communication between QA and development teams, especially when clarifying requirements or reporting bugs. SDETs often need to advocate for quality while balancing release deadlines, which requires effective collaboration and negotiation skills. Additionally, integrating automated tests into fast-paced development cycles can be complex, especially when dealing with evolving codebases or shifting priorities. Overcoming these challenges involves proactive communication, continuous learning, and adaptability within agile team structures.

Are SDET and QA the same?

An SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) is a specialized QA professional who develops automated tests and often has programming skills, whereas traditional QA roles focus on manual testing and quality assurance processes. While both aim to ensure software quality, SDETs typically have a stronger emphasis on automation, coding, and testing tools, making their roles distinct within the software development lifecycle.

What is the difference between Associate Software Development Engineer In Test vs Software Development Engineer In Test?

AspectAssociate Software Development Engineer In TestSoftware Development Engineer In Test
QualificationsBachelor's in CS or related field, some experienceBachelor's or higher in CS, more experience often required
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, collaborative teams, learning-focusedMore autonomous, complex testing tasks, leadership roles
ResponsibilitiesWriting basic test scripts, executing tests, learning automation toolsDesigning test frameworks, automating tests, improving testing processes

The main difference is experience level and scope. Associate Software Development Engineer In Test roles are entry-level, focusing on learning and executing tests, while Software Development Engineer In Test positions involve more complex automation and design responsibilities, often requiring more experience.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Oakland, CA? The most popular types of Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Oakland, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Oakland, CA? For Associate Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Oakland, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Oakland, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Oakland, CA are:
What cities near Oakland, CA are hiring for Associate Software Development Engineer In Test jobs? Cities near Oakland, CA with the most Associate Software Development Engineer In Test job openings:
Associate Software Development Engineer In Test jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Software Development Engineer In Test job openings in Oakland, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,879 per year, or $48.5 per hour.
Associate Principal SDET

Associate Principal SDET

Saviynt

Milpitas, CA • On-site

$160K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Saviynt's AI-powered identity platform manages and governs human and non-human access to all of an organization's applications, data, and business processes. Customers trust Saviynt to safeguard their digital assets, drive operational efficiency, and reduce compliance costs. Built for the AI age, Saviynt is today helping organizations safely accelerate their deployment and usage of AI. Saviynt is recognized as the leader in identity security, with solutions that protect and empower the world’s leading brands, Fortune 500 companies and government institutions. For more information, please visit www.saviynt.com.

We are seeking a Associate Principal SDET to lead the architecture and evolution of our automation and quality engineering strategy for Saviynt’s cloud-native Identity Security platform.

In this role, you will partner with Engineering, Product, and SRE teams to design scalable test frameworks, drive automation-first development, and ensure the reliability, security, and performance of our platform. You will also champion the adoption of AI-powered development and testing tools to accelerate engineering productivity and improve software quality.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
Test Architecture & Automation

  • Architect and evolve enterprise-scale automation frameworks across APIs, web UI, and backend services.

  • Define and execute automation strategies supporting Saviynt’s identity platform (IGA, PAM, AAG, ISPM, NHI, RBAC, secrets management).

  • Establish an automation roadmap aligned with product scalability, reliability, and security goals.

AI-Driven Test Innovation

  • Lead adoption of AI-powered developer tools (Amazon Q Developer, Cursor, test intelligence platforms).

  • Develop intelligent automation capabilities to improve test generation, maintenance, and diagnostics.

Quality Engineering Strategy

  • Drive testing across functional, regression, performance, security, and resiliency scenarios.

  • Implement shift-left testing by integrating automation and quality gates into CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code workflows.

  • Continuously improve test stability, observability, and feedback loops.

Platform & Pipeline Quality

  • Partner with Engineering and SRE to identify coverage gaps, reliability risks, and release quality metrics.

  • Optimize CI/CD pipelines and automated testing workflows to enable rapid, safe releases.

Technical Leadership

  • Conduct technical reviews of automation frameworks, test architecture, and engineering processes.

  • Mentor and guide global QE teams to increase automation maturity and engineering excellence.

  • Champion an automation-first culture across the organization.
             
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

  • 1+ years of experience in as a Principal SDET including 1+ years in an architect or technical leadership role.

  • Hands-on experience with AI-assisted development tools such as Claude, Amazon Q Developer or Cursor.

  • Strong experience designing scalable test automation frameworks using tools such as Playwright, PyTest, Robot Framework, or Karate.

  • Strong programming skills in Java and Python (Groovy a plus).

  • Experience testing REST APIs, microservices, and distributed cloud systems (AWS, GCP, Azure).

  • Deep knowledge of CI/CD systems (Jenkins, GitLab CI) and build tools (Maven, Gradle).

  • Experience with database validation, test data management, and large-scale automation.

  • Knowledge of performance testing (JMeter, Gatling).

  • Familiarity with security and accessibility testing (SAST, DAST, WCAG, axe-core).

  • Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams

We offer you a competitive total rewards package, learning and tremendous opportunities to grow and advance in your career. At Saviynt, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and final compensation decisions are dependent on many factors including, but are not limited to location; skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other relevant business and organizational needs. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $160,000 - $180,000 annually.
 
You may also be eligible to participate in a Saviynt discretionary bonus plan, subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.
 
If required for this role, you will:
- Complete security & privacy literacy and awareness training during onboarding and annually thereafter
- Review (initially and annually thereafter), understand, and adhere to Information Security/Privacy Policies and Procedures such as (but not limited to):

> Data Classification, Retention & Handling Policy
> Incident Response Policy/Procedures
> Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Policy/Procedures
> Mobile Device Policy
> Account Management Policy
> Access Control Policy
> Personnel Security Policy
> Privacy Policy

Saviynt is an amazing place to work. We are a high-growth, Platform as a Service company focused on Identity Authority to power and protect the world at work. You will experience tremendous growth and learning opportunities through challenging yet rewarding work which directly impacts our customers, all within a welcoming and positive work environment. If you're resilient and enjoy working in a dynamic environment you belong with us!

Saviynt is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome everyone to our team.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.