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Software Developer Engineer In Test Jobs in California

Software Development Engineer In Test

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$59 - $76/hr

Software Development Engineer In Test Knit.ai is an early-stage venture funded tech company with an ... CI/CD & DevOps Integration: Implement and maintain automated tests within Google Cloud Build ...

Senior SDET

San Jose, CA · Remote

$58.50 - $75.50/hr

We are seeking a highly skilled Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in test automation and infrastructure for high ...

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Software Developer Engineer In Test information

See California salary details

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

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for software developer engineer in test in California is $50.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.54 and $57.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do Software Developer Engineers in Test (SDETs) typically collaborate with developers and QA teams during the software development lifecycle?

SDETs work closely with both development and QA teams to ensure high-quality software releases. They participate in code reviews, help developers write testable code, and design automated test frameworks that integrate with continuous integration pipelines. SDETs also coordinate with QA to identify test cases suitable for automation and assist in debugging issues found during testing. This collaborative approach helps streamline the development process, reduce manual testing efforts, and improve overall product quality.

What is the difference between Software Developer Engineer In Test vs Software Developer Engineer In Test?

AspectSoftware Developer Engineer In Test
Primary FocusDesigning, developing, and maintaining automated tests to ensure software quality
Skills & CertificationsProgramming, scripting, testing frameworks, CI/CD tools
Work EnvironmentCollaborates closely with developers, QA teams, and DevOps
Industry UsageCommonly employed in software development companies, tech firms, and startups

The comparison shows that both roles focus on software quality and automation, often sharing skills like programming and testing frameworks. The main difference lies in the emphasis: Software Developer Engineer In Test primarily develops automated tests and integrates testing into the development process, whereas Software Developer Engineer In Test may also be involved in broader development tasks. Both roles are integral to ensuring high-quality software delivery in modern tech environments.

What is a Software Developer Engineer In Test?

A Software Developer Engineer In Test (SDET) is a professional who combines software development and testing skills to ensure the quality of software products. SDETs write automated tests, develop testing frameworks, and often contribute to code development to improve testability and reliability. They work closely with developers and quality assurance teams to identify bugs early and improve the overall software development process. Their role is essential in delivering high-quality software efficiently. SDETs typically have strong programming skills and a deep understanding of testing methodologies.

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

To thrive as a Software Developer Engineer in Test (SDET), you need strong programming knowledge, software testing expertise, and a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with automation frameworks (such as Selenium or Appium), continuous integration tools (like Jenkins), and scripting languages (such as Python or Java) is typically required, along with relevant certifications in testing or development. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for identifying issues and collaborating within development teams. These competencies ensure high-quality, reliable software by enabling efficient test automation and thorough validation throughout the development lifecycle.
What are popular job titles related to Software Developer Engineer In Test jobs in California? For Software Developer Engineer In Test jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Software Developer Engineer In Test jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Software Developer Engineer In Test jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Software Developer Engineer In Test job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 6% As Needed, 43% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 47% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,612 per year, or $50.8 per hour.
Senior Software Developer in Test (SDET)

Senior Software Developer in Test (SDET)

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Irvine, CA • On-site

$53.75 - $69.25/hr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


BD rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 137 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

268th of 419 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

We are the people who give possibilities purpose

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health is our Purpose, and it's no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us-from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year-to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

Job Description

Summary:

The Software Development Engineer in Test ( SDET) position will be responsible for developing automated tests to ensure the quality of software systems and applications. The role involves creating test plans, writing code for automating tests, maintaining existing tests, and reporting on product defects. The SDET will work closely with developers and other stakeholders to identify issues early in development cycles and provide feedback to improve overall system reliability. This position requires strong technical skills as well as excellent communication abilities.

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Software Developer in Test to own and evolve our automated test platform. This is a software engineering role first, you will design and build production-quality code that happens to verify software, not a testing role that occasionally writes scripts. You will architect test infrastructure, contribute to shared libraries. You are as comfortable reviewing a pull request as you are designing a new module from scratch.

What We Are Looking For

A self-directed engineer who holds test code to the same standard as production code. You bring strong software design instincts, a bias toward building reusable infrastructure over one-off scripts, and the communication skills to align with development teams on quality strategy. You thrive in environments where quality is an engineering discipline, not a phase.

Responsibilities:

  • Design, build, and maintain a multi-module test infrastructure spanning API, browser, performance, and protocol-level testing disciplines.

  • Develop and version reusable shared libraries, authentication clients, model libraries, device simulators, and data providers consumed across multiple test modules.

  • Build software simulators for external systems and hardware devices to enable isolated, reproducible test environments independent of third-party availability

  • Engineer layered API client abstractions that handle authentication, request construction, response validation, and structured logging

  • Design and execute load simulations that model realistic concurrent user journeys, define SLO thresholds, and produce actionable results

  • Author and maintain CI/CD pipeline definitions that execute, gate, and report on test results across environments and deployment targets

  • Integrate test execution with external test management and defect tracking systems to maintain traceability from requirement to result

  • Enforce production-grade engineering standards on test code, design patterns, code review, refactoring, and module-level abstractions

  • Advise on API contracts, authentication flows, and system observability from a testability perspective during design and development

  • Mentor engineers contributing to the test codebase and establish conventions that allow the platform to scale with the team

Minimum Qualifications Required:

  • 5+ years of professional software development experience with a strong foundation in object-oriented design and clean code principles.

  • Proficiency in Java; able to design and build maintainable, extensible code at module and library level

  • Proven experience building test frameworks and shared libraries from scratch (not just writing tests within an existing one)

  • Deep understanding of OAuth 2.0 authentication flows including client credentials, PKCE, bearer token injection, and thread-safe token refresh.

  • Hands-on experience engineering browser automation frameworks including page object hierarchies, dynamic wait strategies, and failure diagnostics

  • Experience designing and executing load simulations with realistic user journey modeling and JVM tuning for high-concurrency execution

  • Proficiency with multi-module build systems, dependency management, and library versioning at scale

  • Experience authoring and owning CI/CD pipeline definitions end-to-end, including containerized test environments

  • Familiarity with structured test reporting, code coverage analysis, and static quality tooling

Preferred skills and knowledge:

  • Experience building software simulators for external systems, APIs, or hardware devices communicating over non-HTTP protocols (WebSocket, MQTT, TCP, or similar)

  • Familiarity with healthcare messaging standards such as HL7 v2.x or FHIR

  • Experience integrating test results with test management or defect tracking platforms (e.g. Xray, Zephyr)

  • Background in domains involving regulated, safety-critical, or medical device software

  • Contributions to open-source testing or developer tooling

At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting.

For certain roles at BD, employment is contingent upon the Company's receipt of sufficient proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In some locations, testing for COVID-19 may be available and/or required. Consistent with BD's Workplace Accommodations Policy, requests for accommodation will be considered pursuant to applicable law.

Why Join Us?

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you'll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive.

We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face-to-face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success.

To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers.

Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Required Skills

Optional Skills

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Primary Work LocationUSA CA - Irvine Laguna CanyonAdditional LocationsWork Shift

At BD, we reward, support and develop our associates through our comprehensive Total Rewards program. We are committed to attracting and retaining high quality talent by providing reward and recognition opportunities that promote a performance-based culture, as well as a competitive package of compensation and benefits programs. You can learn more on our career site under "Our Commitment to You."

Our salary or hourly rate ranges reward associates fairly and competitively. We regularly review these ranges and factors, such as location, contribute to the range displayed.

Our pay is based on the role and the necessary skills and education to perform it successfully. The salary or hourly rate offered is determined by the role's specific requirements, including any applicable step rate pay system at the work location. Salary or hourly pay ranges are influenced by labor laws and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requirements applicable to the work location which may also affect the workplace arrangement of the role.

Salary Range Information

$129,600.00 - $207,400.00 USD Annual

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About BD

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. We have over 65,000 employees and a presence in virtually every country around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues.

Industry

Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing and manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Franklin Lakes, NJ, US

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