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Senior Sdet Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Senior Software Development Engineer in Test is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing solutions that improve software quality, reduce production risk, and ...

Senior Software Engineer - SDET

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$160K - $200K/yr

Description The Senior Software Engineer (SDET) is a hybrid engineering role that combines hands-on testing, test automation development, and quality advocacy. At SendCutSend, this role will ...

The Senior Software Development Engineer in Test is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing solutions that improve software quality, reduce production risk, and ...

The Senior Software Development Engineer in Test is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing solutions that improve software quality, reduce production risk, and ...

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Senior Sdet information

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior Software Development Engineers in Test (SDETs) at large tech companies or with specialized skills in automation, cloud, or security can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced certifications, and a strong track record in high-demand areas.

What is the salary of senior SDET in the US?

The average salary for a Senior SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) in the US typically ranges from $100,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Senior SDET roles often require proficiency in automation tools, programming languages, and testing frameworks, which can influence compensation levels.

How does a Senior SDET typically collaborate with development and QA teams during the software release cycle?

A Senior SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) works closely with both developers and QA professionals throughout the release cycle. They participate in design and code reviews, provide feedback on testability, and often create automated test frameworks that integrate with CI/CD pipelines. By collaborating early in feature development, Senior SDETs help identify potential issues and ensure high test coverage. Their role bridges the gap between development and quality assurance, fostering a culture of quality and efficient release cycles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior SDET, and why are they important?

To succeed as a Senior SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test), you need advanced programming skills, deep knowledge of software testing methodologies, and a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with automation frameworks (such as Selenium, Appium), CI/CD tools (like Jenkins), and scripting languages (Python, Java, or C#) is typically required, and certifications such as ISTQB can be beneficial. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating across development and QA teams. These skills ensure robust test automation, high-quality software delivery, and seamless integration within agile development environments.

Is SDET still in demand?

Senior SDET roles remain in demand as companies prioritize quality assurance and automation testing, especially with the growth of Agile and DevOps practices. Skills in programming, test automation tools, and continuous integration are highly valued in the industry.

What does senior sdet mean?

A Senior SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) is a quality assurance professional responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated test frameworks and scripts to ensure software quality. They typically have strong programming skills, experience with testing tools, and a deep understanding of software development processes. Senior SDETs often lead testing efforts and collaborate closely with development teams to improve product reliability.

What are Senior SDETs?

Senior SDETs, or Senior Software Development Engineers in Test, are experienced professionals who design, develop, and implement automated testing solutions to ensure the quality and functionality of software applications. They bridge the gap between software development and quality assurance by writing test code, creating testing frameworks, and mentoring junior team members. Senior SDETs are also responsible for identifying potential risks, improving testing processes, and collaborating closely with developers to resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
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Infographic showing various Senior Sdet job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 15% Internship, 57% As Needed, 11% Full Time, 2% Contract, and 13% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.
Senior Software Engineer, Design in Test (SDET)

Senior Software Engineer, Design in Test (SDET)

BlackSky

Seattle, WA • On-site

$125K - $163K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Senior Software Test Engineer
About Us:
BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company. We own and operate the world's most advanced space-based intelligence platform and provide customers satellite imagery, automated analytics and high-frequency monitoring of strategic locations, economic assets and events from around the globe. BlackSky is trusted by the most demanding allied military and intelligence organizations and commercial companies to deliver foresight into critical matters that affect national security and the economy. BlackSky's data enables governments and businesses to see, understand and anticipate change as it happens, giving them the ultimate strategic advantage so they can act quickly. Our global team works with cutting-edge technology to make a difference around the world and prides itself on being people-first, customer-focused and fun.
The Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is responsible for designing and implementing automated test frameworks, tools, and simulated environments that ensure the reliability and quality of our enterprise software systems. This role is development-focused and centers on building test harnesses, emulating third-party systems and network conditions, and creating robust automation infrastructure that enables comprehensive in-house validation. The SDET develops reusable test code, service/API simulators, and scalable Python-based frameworks that integrate into CI/CD pipelines to deliver consistent and repeatable coverage across complex application workflows. In addition to building automation systems, they analyze system behavior, investigate failures, collaborate closely with developers, and validate fixes to drive overall product stability and release confidence.
Because this role frequently works with physical lab environments, shared test equipment, and cross-team collaboration, the engineer will be expected to work onsite in both our Seattle and Tukwila offices in a hybrid capacity. Typical expectations are approximately two days per week in the office, with flexibility to adjust based on project needs, lab access requirements, or collaborative testing efforts. This position reports to the Senior Manager, Test and is responsible for all software test activities within the company, providing high visibility and significant influence on test strategy, automation direction, and product quality.
Responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks and tools using Python, enabling scalable and reliable testing across services, APIs, and UI workflows.
  • Build Python or Go based simulators, mocks, and emulators to replicate third-party environments, network behavior, and integration scenarios for in-house testing.
  • Develop, maintain, and execute automated API test suites using Python Requests, custom harnesses, and Postman/Newman when appropriate.
  • Build and maintain automated UI test suites using Python Playwright, with a focus on reusable components, selectors, and page-object patterns.
  • Monitor nightly automated test runs, analyze failures, and provide actionable insights through integrations with Jira/X-Ray, Slack, and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Troubleshoot and diagnose issues across APIs, backend services, and UI workflows, collaborating with developers to isolate root causes and verify fixes.
  • Perform targeted manual testing for new feature development, complex regression scenarios, and defect reproduction where automation is not yet feasible.
  • Validate functional behavior, edge cases, and system workflows across distributed application components.
  • Document test frameworks, automation patterns, test cases, expected outcomes, and reproduction steps for defects.
  • Support and improve internal Python-based test applications, tools, and services used in daily verification workflows.
  • Ensure adequate test coverage for new features, releases, and high-risk areas.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of automation tooling, coding standards, and test strategy.
  • Assist in ensuring readiness of builds for deployment and release.
  • Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
  • Minimum of years of six (6) years of experience as a Software Test Engineer, Automation Engineer, or SDET, with significant hands-on software development responsibilities.
  • Bachelor's degree in relevant field of study (or equivalent additional experience of four years).
  • Strong proficiency in Python, including writing reusable modules, building automation frameworks, and creating test harnesses or tools.
  • Experience developing automated API tests using Python Requests or equivalent frameworks; experience with Postman/Newman preferred.
  • Experience designing and maintaining automated UI tests (Python Playwright preferred), with emphasis on code structure and maintainability.
  • Experience building Python-based utilities, simulators, mocks, or environment emulators to support complex test scenarios.
  • Familiarity with reporting test results and integrating automation with Jira/XRay, Slack, or similar tools.
  • Strong ability to analyze automated test results, identify root causes across services and layers, and validate fixes in collaboration with developers.
  • Working knowledge of CI-based automated test pipelines, nightly execution workflows, and test orchestration.
  • Understanding of distributed systems, API-driven architectures, and service interactions.
  • Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills across application layers (API, backend services, UI).
  • Ability to document test plans, automation approaches, and defect reports with clarity and precision.
  • Due to program requirements, this position requires US-born citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with RabbitMQ and Kafka in event-driven or message-based architectures.
  • Experience coding in Go.
  • Experience with secure, onprem, or airgapped deployment environments.
  • Experience with performance and load testing.
  • Defense, aerospace, or government program background.
  • Geospatial or remote sensing system experience.
  • Experience writing integration documentation, runbooks, or system validation procedures.
  • Master's degree in a relevant field of study.

Life at BlackSky for full-time US benefits eligible employees includes:
  • Medical, dental, vision, disability, group term life and AD&D, voluntary life and AD&D insurance
    • BlackSky pays 100% of employee-only premiums for medical, dental and vision and contributes $100/month for out-of-pocket expenses!
  • 15 days of PTO, 11 Company holidays, four Floating Holidays (pro-rated based on hire date), one day of paid volunteerism leave per year, parental leave and more
  • 401(k) pre-tax and Roth deferral options with employer match
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program
  • Employee Assistance and Travel Assistance Programs
  • Employer matching donations
  • Professional development
  • Mac or PC? Your choice!
  • Awesome swag

The anticipated salary range for candidates in Seattle, WA is $135,000-$155,000 per year. The final compensation package offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on specific background and education. BlackSky is a multi-state employer and this pay scale may not reflect salary ranges in other states or locations outside of Seattle, WA.
BlackSky is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer All Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. #LI-Hybrid
EEO/AAP/ Pay Transparency Statements:
https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf

BlackSky logo

About BlackSky

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2013