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Senior Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in San Francisco, CA

Theory Ventures

Senior SDET

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Senior SDET San Francisco - Engineering - Hybrid - Full-time About BackOps AI BackOps AI is transforming supply chain operations with agentic AI solutions that automate complex workflows, freeing ...

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Senior Software Development Engineer In Test information

See San Francisco, CA salary details

$26.5K

$147.9K

$192.6K

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

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software development engineer in test in San Francisco, CA is $147,932.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $130,200.00 and $169,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior software development engineer in test 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.

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 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 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 most commonly searched types of Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in San Francisco, CA?

The most popular types of Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in San Francisco, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in San Francisco, CA?

For Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in San Francisco, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in San Francisco, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in San Francisco, CA are:

What cities near San Francisco, CA are hiring for Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs?

Cities near San Francisco, CA with the most Senior Software Development Engineer In Test job openings:

Senior Software Development Engineer In Test jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Software Development Engineer In Test job openings in San Francisco, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,932 per year, or $71.1 per hour.

Senior SDET

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Theory Ventures
See more jobs at Theory Venturesexternal

$140 - $190/hr

Other

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Senior SDET

San Francisco - Engineering - Hybrid - Full-time

About BackOps AI

BackOps AI is transforming supply chain operations with agentic AI solutions that automate complex workflows, freeing operations teams to focus on what matters most. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with flexible remote-friendly options, we foster a culture of innovation, ownership, and measurable impact.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Senior SDET to join our growing QA team. In this role, you will be responsible for building, and maintaining scalable test automation solutions that cover UI, API, and end-to-end workflows. You will work closely with developers, designers, and fellow QA engineers to uphold high standards of software quality throughout the development lifecycle.

The ideal candidate has strong experience with test automation frameworks, API testing, and modern CI/CD environments, along with the ability to drive improvements in testing strategy and tooling. Experience exploring AI-assisted testing or intelligent test automation approaches is considered a plus.

What You'll Do
  • Design and build robust test automation frameworks for UI, API, and end-to-end testing
  • Standardize patterns, conventions, and best practices across automation projects
  • Create and execute automated regression, functional, performance, and API tests
  • Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines for continuous testing
  • Improve automation reliability through better error handling, retries, logging, and diagnostics
  • Enhance test coverage by identifying critical scenarios and edge cases
  • Participate in code reviews, architecture discussions, and quality improvements
  • Stay up to date with emerging automation tools, frameworks, and testing methodologies
What We're Looking For
  • 6+ years of experience in software engineering, SDET, or test automation engineering roles
  • Strong Java and/or Python skills and experience writing clean, maintainable, reusable code
  • Proficiency in test automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium, Playwright)
  • Proven experience building or evolving automation frameworks and shared libraries
  • Experience with automation execution models such as scheduling, orchestration, retries, and monitoring
  • Experience with test management tools (TestRail, Zephyr)
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
  • Strong understanding of software testing principles, SDLC, and agile methodologies
  • Knowledge of performance and load testing tools (JMeter, Gatling) is a plus
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
What We Offer
  • Equity & Ownership: Generous equity packages so you grow alongside the company and share in our upside
  • Impact & Visibility: Direct access to co-founders and the ability to see your work drive real business results
  • Collaborative Culture: A small, tight-knit team of seasoned operators and AI experts
  • Flexible Work: Hybrid model with core Bay Area presence and remote flexibility
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