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Associate Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in Palo Alto, CA

SDET

Pleasanton, CA ยท On-site

$55.75 - $71.75/hr

Software Development Engineers in Test are involved in all aspects of quality assurance activities for a scrum team. Working closely with other Quality Engineers, SDETs, Developers and Product ...

GlobalLogic is seeking Hadoop SDET in Palo Alto, CA .Please go through the below, if you are interested then share your profile at your earliest. Job Title: Java - Hadoop Developer / SDET Duration ...

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Associate Software Development Engineer In Test information

See Palo Alto, CA salary details

$22

$49

$115

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

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate software development engineer in test in Palo Alto, CA is $49.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.87 and $52.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate software development engineer in test?

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 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 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.

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.

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For Associate Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Palo Alto, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Palo Alto, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Palo Alto, CA are:

What cities near Palo Alto, CA are hiring for Associate Software Development Engineer In Test jobs?

Cities near Palo Alto, CA with the most Associate Software Development Engineer In Test job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Software Development Engineer In Test job openings in Palo Alto, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, 53% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,255 per year, or $49.6 per hour.

Senior Software Development Engineer in Test

Portage Ventures GP Inc.

San Mateo, CA โ€ข On-site

$100 - $140/hr

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Your Role

As a Senior Software Development Engineer in Test on the Platform Team, you will be responsible for improving the automated and manual testing infrastructure at Alpaca - helping our developers quickly and reliably deliver new features.

We are looking for experienced engineers who not only understand testing best practices and CI pipelines, but also have in-depth knowledge of Kubernetes and can dig deep into application code when necessary.

Things You Get To Do
  • Develop a comprehensive testing strategy for our API surface
  • Improve developer experience by standardizing tooling and infrastructure
  • Coordinate with other teams to improve test coverage, reliability and speed
  • Mentor and guide product engineers, fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement within the team.
  • Design and execute load, stress, and scalability tests to ensure our platform can handle growing user demands.
Who You Are (must-haves)
  • You have 5+ years of experience as a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) or Senior Quality Assurance Engineer.
  • You have written code in strongly typed languages before and have at least 1 year of experience with Go.
  • You have built and maintained CI pipelines before - we use a mix of GitHub Actions and Google Cloud Build pipelines.
  • You have worked with microservices before and understand the challenges they pose for building reliable integrations and end-to-end tests. You have experience designing and building automated test frameworks.
  • You are familiar with Kubernetes beyond the basics - you can write a Helm chart for a new service with relative ease, you understand best practices around security, and you have prior job experience or certifications to prove this.
  • You have worked at a startup before - you understand that things donโ€™t always go according to plan, that there is significant technical debt, that some tasks just need to be done, and that sometimes there are no processes or documentation to guide your hand.
  • You are not afraid of taking a task from start to finish - gathering requirements, figuring out and implementing the best technical solution, then deploying and monitoring the results.
Who You Might Be (nice-to-haves)
  • You have written code in Python or TypeScript. You have experience writing efficient Dockerfiles and building secure container images.
  • You have implemented load tests with k6 (REST) and ghz (gRPC) and have experience analyzing pprof/trace output.
  • You have done IaC deployments with Argo CD or Terraform, or have used Google Cloud Platform and Google Kubernetes Engine before. You are familiar with Tilt and have written a Kubernetes Operator before.
  • You are familiar with testing event-driven systems using Kafka (or even better, Redpanda).
How We Take Care of You
  • Competitive Salary & Stock Options
  • Health Benefits
  • New Hire Home-Office Setup: One-time USD $500
  • Monthly Stipend: USD $150 per month via a Brex Card

Alpaca is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce.

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