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Software Developer Engineer In Test Jobs in California

SDET / QA Engineer Location: Fremont, CA (5 Days Onsite) Local Only Duration: 6-12 Months Contract About the Role We are seeking an experienced Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) with 5-6 ...

Software Engineer in Test (SET)

Chatsworth, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $165K/yr

Machina Labs is seeking a Software Engineer in Test (SET) to own quality, validation, and release execution across our software platform as we develop and deploy new features and services. This role ...

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Software Developer Engineer In Test information

See California salary details

$10

$50

$72

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

As of Jul 21, 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:
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Kforce Technology Staffing

Fremont, CA โ€ข On-site

$54.75 - $70.50/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Kforce has a client in Fremont, CA that is seeking a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET).
Are you passionate about building high-quality software and writing code that scales? Do you thrive in fast-moving environments where your work directly influences the reliability and success of critical applications? If you enjoy building automation frameworks, writing clean code, improving developer productivity, and collaborating with talented engineers, we'd love to hear from you.
We're looking for a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) with 5-6 years of experience to join a highly collaborative engineering team developing a new internal platform that helps engineers work smarter, move faster, and operate more efficiently. This is not a traditional testing role-we are looking for a true engineer who loves solving complex problems through automation and software development.
Duties:
* Design, build, and enhance scalable test automation frameworks from the ground up
* Develop automated tests for web applications, APIs, integrations, and end-to-end workflows
* Partner closely with software engineers to embed quality throughout the development lifecycle
* Drive automation for both scheduled releases and fast-moving deployment cycles
* Investigate issues, perform root-cause analysis, and help teams resolve defects quickly
* Improve overall system reliability, performance, and user experience
* Participate in code reviews and contribute to engineering best practices
* Help shape testing strategy, automation architecture, and quality standards across the organization
REQUIREMENTS:
* 5-6 years of experience in SDET, Test Automation, or Software Quality Engineering
* Strong programming skills in Python
* Hands-on experience with Playwright for browser and application automation
* Proven experience building and maintaining automation frameworks
* Experience testing modern web applications and distributed systems
* Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and coding skills
* Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment
* Strong communication and collaboration skills
* Must-Have Technologies: Python, Playwright, Automation Framework Development, API Testing, Software Engineering Fundamentals
Strong software engineering fundamentals, including:
* Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
* Data Structures & Algorithms
* Design Patterns
* API Testing
* Debugging & Troubleshooting
* Test Framework Design
Nice to Have:
* Experience with Selenium
* CI/CD pipeline integration and automated testing practices
* Performance, load, or reliability testing experience
* Experience working within Agile development environments
* Exposure to cloud technologies and modern software delivery practices
Successful candidates are passionate engineers who:
* Love writing code and building automation solutions
* Take ownership and proactively solve problems
* Can clearly explain how they built solutions and why they made specific technical decisions
* Enjoy collaborating with developers to improve software quality
* Are comfortable working in environments where priorities can evolve quickly
* Have a continuous improvement mindset and a passion for engineering excellence
The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.
Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.
This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.
Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
By clicking ?Apply Today? you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages or emails from Kforce and its affiliates, and service providers. Note that if you choose to communicate with Kforce via text messaging the frequency may vary, and message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You will always have the right to cease communicating via text by using key words such as STOP.