1

Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in Compton, CA

We have a small SDET team, so you will interact with multiple departments, game systems and pipeline technologies. As a member of SDET at Naughty Dog, you will experience direct ownership, serving as ...

SDET Programmer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$110K - $138K/yr

We have a small SDET team, so you will interact with multiple departments, game systems and pipeline technologies. As a member of SDET at Naughty Dog, you will experience direct ownership, serving as ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Senior Software Development Engineer In Test information

See Compton, CA salary details

$22.9K

$127.5K

$166.1K

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

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software development engineer in test in Compton, CA is $127,522.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,200.00 and $145,700.00 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 cities near Compton, CA are hiring for Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs? Cities near Compton, CA with the most Senior Software Development Engineer In Test job openings:
Software Development Engineer in Test

Software Development Engineer in Test

K2 Space

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$123K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers – we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we'd love for you to apply.

The Role

The software team at K2 builds software across the stack, from gateware & micro firmware to high level satellite control to Ground Software and all the associated testing, and we're looking for an SDET who shares our belief that test infrastructure is a first-class engineering discipline. You will be embedded directly within the flight software team, working shoulder-to-shoulder with the engineers writing the code that flies our spacecraft owning the automation frameworks, test tooling, and HIL infrastructure that make rapid, confident software deployment possible.

This role is not a QA function. You will be a builder. In your first 6 months, you will design and ship core test automation frameworks and integrate them into our CI/CD pipelines. In your first year, you will own end-to-end test coverage across multiple spacecraft subsystems and lead HIL testing campaigns alongside flight software engineers, proving the software is ready to go to space. In your first two years, you will have operated your test systems against hardware that has been launched to orbit.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and own software test frameworks targeting K2's flight software stack, including subsystems for propulsion, GNC, power, thermal, and communications
  • Build and maintain automation tooling that integrates seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines, enabling fast and reliable flight software deployment
  • Develop hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) test infrastructure in close collaboration with flight software engineers
  • Create tooling for test execution, data collection, and anomaly triage that gives engineers clear, actionable signal
  • Reduce flaky and nondeterministic tests; continuously improve coverage, pipeline reliability, and test execution speed
  • Collaborate with flight software, avionics, and systems engineers to define test requirements, write test plans, and execute verification campaigns
  • Analyze test results to identify and characterize failures, and drive resolution across the team
  • Maintain documentation for test infrastructure, procedures, and hardware configurations

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related STEM field, or equivalent professional experience
  • Experience building and maintaining test automation frameworks, not just executing tests written by others
  • Experience with CI/CD systems (e.g., GitLab Pipelines, GitHub Actions, Jenkins) and version control (Git)

Nice to Have

  • Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testbeds or embedded systems testing
  • Experience testing avionics, spacecraft, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other safety-critical hardware
  • Rust programming experience, including embedded or no_std environments
  • Knowledge of real-time operating systems (RTOS) or bare-metal embedded firmware
  • Familiarity with aerospace communication protocols (RS-422/485, Ethernet, UART, SpaceWire, Ethernet)
  • Experience with electronics test equipment: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies
  • Containerization experience (Docker, Kubernetes) for test environment management
  • Experience with Embedded Linux
  • Familiarity with shell scripting

Compensation and Benefits:

  • Base salary range for this role is $123,000 - $175,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, "U.S. Persons" include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a "U.S. Person."

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

Equal Opportunity

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.


K2 Space logo

About K2 Space

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2022