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Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in Illinois

SDET Consultant

Chicago, IL · On-site

$51.50 - $66.50/hr

Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) Duration: 6-18 months Work Mode: Onsite Location: Chicago, IL Purpose We are seeking a Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to ...

Sr. SDET

Chicago, IL · On-site

$51.50 - $66.50/hr

Job title: SR. SDET Location: Chicago, IL • XCTest/ XCUITest frameworks • 5+ years direct experience as an SDET for major application integration and/or major application product release • ...

Senior SDET || Glenview, IL - Hybrid

Glenview, IL · On-site

$107K - $140K/yr

Senior SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) Location: Glenview, IL - Hybrid (3 days onsite per week, LOCAL candidates preferred) Duration: 6+ Months (Possible Extension) About the Role: We ...

Sr. SDET

Chicago, IL · On-site

$51.50 - $66.50/hr

This is a senior-level Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) position. The primary function is to apply computer science principles to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of ...

SDET

Chicago, IL · On-site

$51.50 - $66.50/hr

Senior Software Development Engineer in Test Chicago, IL Who We Are: Northern Trust is a Chicago-based bank with more than 20 international locations and 16,500 employees. From sovereign wealth funds ...

SDET Level 4

Chicago, IL · On-site

$51.50 - $66.50/hr

AKA Senior SDET Extend testing automation framework using JAVA/JAVA Script * Take ownership in understanding business requirements/ACs and develop test strategy/test plan * Develop automation ...

SDET Level 4

Chicago, IL · On-site

$51.50 - $66.50/hr

AKA Senior SDET Extend testing automation framework using JAVA/JAVA Script * Take ownership in understanding business requirements/ACs and develop test strategy/test plan * Develop automation ...

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Senior Software Development Engineer In Test information

See Illinois salary details

$21.8K

$121.7K

$158.4K

How much do senior software development engineer in test jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software development engineer in test in Illinois is $121,671.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,100.00 and $139,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Senior Software Development Engineer In Test typically collaborate with development and product teams to ensure software quality?

As a Senior Software Development Engineer In Test (SDET), you will work closely with both development and product teams throughout the software development lifecycle. This includes participating in design and requirements discussions to identify potential test cases early, contributing to test automation strategies, and providing feedback on testability and quality risks. SDETs often pair with developers to review code, co-create test plans, and triage bugs together, ensuring that testing is fully integrated into the CI/CD pipeline. Effective communication and cross-team collaboration are essential for proactively identifying issues and maintaining high software quality standards.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior Software Development Engineers In Test (SDETs) with extensive experience, specialized skills in automation, and working at large tech companies or in high-cost-of-living regions can earn $500,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, especially for those in leadership roles or with rare expertise in testing automation, cloud platforms, or security tools.

Will QA or SDET get replaced by AI?

Senior Software Development Engineers in Test (SDETs) and QA professionals perform complex testing tasks that require critical thinking, creativity, and understanding of system architecture, which AI currently cannot fully replicate. While AI tools can automate repetitive testing and assist in identifying issues, human oversight and expertise remain essential for designing test strategies, interpreting results, and ensuring software quality in a fast-evolving environment.

What is the SDET engineer's salary?

The salary for a Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) typically ranges from $90,000 to $140,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. SDETs with strong programming skills and experience with automation tools like Selenium or Jenkins tend to earn higher salaries.

Is SDET still in demand?

Senior Software Development Engineers in Test (SDETs) are in strong demand due to the increasing emphasis on quality assurance and automation in software development. SDETs with skills in programming, test automation tools, and CI/CD pipelines are particularly sought after across various industries, ensuring continuous testing and faster release cycles.

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

AspectSenior Software Development Engineer In TestSoftware Development Engineer In Test
ExperienceTypically 5+ years in testing and developmentEntry to mid-level, 1-3 years experience
ResponsibilitiesDesigns complex test frameworks, mentors juniors, leads testing initiativesDevelops test cases, automates tests, executes testing tasks
Skills & CertificationsAdvanced coding, automation, testing tools, leadership skillsProgramming, automation, testing tools
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with cross-functional teams, often in Agile settingsWorks closely with developers, focuses on automation and manual testing

In summary, a Senior Software Development Engineer In Test has more experience, leadership responsibilities, and strategic testing roles compared to a Software Development Engineer In Test, who primarily focuses on developing and executing tests.

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

To thrive as a Senior Software Development Engineer In Test, you need advanced programming skills, deep knowledge of software testing methodologies, and a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Expertise with automation frameworks (such as Selenium, Cypress, or Appium), CI/CD tools, and scripting languages is typically required, along with relevant certifications like ISTQB. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and driving quality initiatives. These capabilities ensure rigorous test coverage, faster release cycles, and high-quality software products.

What does a Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) do?

A Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated test frameworks and tools to ensure the quality and reliability of software products. They work closely with development and QA teams to identify test requirements, create robust test cases, and integrate automated tests into the CI/CD pipeline. In addition to coding and scripting, Senior SDETs mentor junior team members, analyze test results, and help troubleshoot complex issues to continuously improve software quality. Their expertise bridges the gap between development and testing, ensuring both speed and quality in software releases.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Illinois? For Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Senior Software Development Engineer In Test job openings:
SDET Consultant

SDET Consultant

Merican

Chicago, IL • On-site

$51.50 - $66.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Role: Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
Duration: 6-18 months
Work Mode: Onsite
Location: Chicago, IL
Purpose
We are seeking a Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to ensure high-quality software delivery through robust testing strategies. This role involves QA/UAT execution, test planning, automation development, and mentoring team members to improve testing practices and product quality.
Key Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with product, design, and development teams to understand requirements and identify risks
  • Design, create, and execute comprehensive test plans and test scripts
  • Analyze test results, report defects, and ensure adherence to QA best practices
  • Develop, maintain, and enhance automation frameworks using Java, Groovy, or Kotlin
  • Conduct code reviews to ensure maintainable, scalable automation code
  • Define and implement QA standards and testing methodologies
  • Communicate testing progress, results, and quality metrics to stakeholders
  • Mentor and coach QA team members on test setup, data management, and best practices
  • Continuously improve test coverage, reliability, and accuracy
Must-Have Skills
  • Strong understanding of Agile/Scrum methodologies
  • Experience with JUnit or TestNG frameworks
  • Hands-on experience with Kafka queues
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Proficiency with version control tools (Git/Subversion)
  • Experience with Java, XML, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML
  • API testing experience (REST/SOAP) using tools like Postman or SoapUI
  • Experience building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, Azure DevOps)
  • Strong expertise in Selenium/Appium automation frameworks
  • Proficiency in Java/Groovy-based test automation
Experience & Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience as an SDET in application development and release environments
  • Experience mentoring or coaching junior QA/SDET team members
  • Strong ability to analyze requirements and create detailed test coverage
  • Expertise in defect tracking and documentation
  • Experience with cross-browser and mobile testing tools (e.g., Sauce Labs or similar)
  • Familiarity with log analysis tools such as Splunk
  • Hands-on experience with automated testing tools and reporting frameworks
  • Experience in test data preparation and maintenance
  • Strong understanding of testing methodologies and best practices
  • Experience working with CI/CD tools like Jenkins

Merican logo

About Merican

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Merican is a IT Service consulting firm, specialized in Digital adoption and Business automation. With our diverse collection of skilled and committed consultants, technology companies, businesses and digital experts, we provide our subject expertise and our unique client service approach, a best-in-class global model of delivery suited to the business demands of our clients. We ensure that we implement future-oriented solutions for our clients via investments in people, solutions, technologies, competencies and infrastructure.

Industry

It services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Columbia , MD, US

Year founded

2020

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