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Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in El Cajon, CA

Under general supervision, the Software Development Engineer II designs, develops, debugs, tests and implements software enhancements. Responsibilities include correcting defects in existing ...

Software Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

The Software Test Engineer will be part of a dynamic team working in an agile software development environment that is building a user application to run on mobile device form factors. The Software ...

Software Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$73K - $132K/yr

The Software Test Engineer will be part of a dynamic team working in an agile software development environment that is building a user application to run on mobile device form factors. The Software ...

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Showing results 1-20

Software Development Engineer In Test information

See El Cajon, CA salary details

$12

$57

$77

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

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for software development engineer in test in El Cajon, CA is $57.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50.19 and $64.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is SDET still in demand?

Software Development Engineers in Test (SDETs) remain in demand due to the increasing emphasis on automation, quality assurance, and continuous integration in software development. SDETs with skills in programming, testing frameworks, and tools like Selenium or Jenkins are highly sought after across various industries, especially in organizations adopting Agile and DevOps practices.

What is the role of a software development engineer in testing?

A Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) designs, develops, and maintains automated test frameworks and scripts to ensure software quality. They collaborate with development teams to identify testing requirements, write test cases, and use tools like Selenium or JUnit to execute tests, often integrating testing into continuous integration pipelines.

Is SDET a good career?

A Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is a valuable role that combines software development and testing skills to improve product quality. SDETs often work with automation tools, programming languages, and testing frameworks, making it a technically demanding and in-demand career path with good growth prospects. It is suitable for those interested in both coding and quality assurance.

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

AspectSoftware Development Engineer In TestSoftware Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing automated tests, ensuring software qualityDeveloping software applications and features
Skills & CertificationsProgramming, testing frameworks, automation toolsProgramming, software design, system architecture
Work EnvironmentQuality assurance teams, development teams, testing labsDevelopment teams, product teams, engineering environments
Industry UsageTech companies, software firms, QA departmentsTech companies, startups, software product companies

While both roles require strong programming skills, Software Development Engineer In Test focuses on automation and testing to ensure software quality, whereas Software Engineers primarily develop new features and applications. Both roles are integral to software development but serve different aspects of the product lifecycle.

How does a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) typically collaborate with developers and QA teams during the software development lifecycle?

As an SDET, you'll work closely with both software developers and quality assurance teams throughout the development process. Your role involves participating in design and code reviews to ensure testability, creating automated test frameworks, and writing test cases alongside developers. You'll also help identify bugs early, contribute to continuous integration pipelines, and facilitate communication between development and QA to ensure high-quality releases. This collaborative environment allows you to bridge the gap between coding and testing, making you a key player in delivering reliable software.

What is a Software Development Engineer In Test (SDET)?

A Software Development Engineer In Test (SDET) is a professional who combines software development skills with expertise in testing to ensure the quality of software products. SDETs design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks, write test scripts, and work closely with developers to identify and resolve defects early in the software development lifecycle. They play a critical role in integrating testing into the development process, improving test coverage, and enabling continuous integration and delivery. SDETs often have strong programming abilities and a deep understanding of both software engineering and quality assurance best practices.

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

To thrive as a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET), you need a solid background in software engineering principles, programming skills (often in languages like Java, Python, or C#), and a strong understanding of testing methodologies. Familiarity with automated testing frameworks (such as Selenium, JUnit, or TestNG), CI/CD tools, and sometimes certifications like ISTQB are typically required. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills that help SDETs collaborate with developers and identify issues efficiently. These skills are crucial to ensure robust, scalable, and high-quality software products through efficient test design and automation.

Will QA or SDET get replaced by AI?

Software Development Engineers in Test (SDETs) and QA professionals perform complex testing tasks that require critical thinking, creativity, and understanding of system design, 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. Therefore, SDET roles are likely to evolve with AI rather than be completely replaced.
What cities near El Cajon, CA are hiring for Software Development Engineer In Test jobs? Cities near El Cajon, CA with the most Software Development Engineer In Test job openings:
Infographic showing various Software Development Engineer In Test job openings in El Cajon, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,918 per year, or $57.2 per hour.
Software Development Engineer in Test - Battery Life

Software Development Engineer in Test - Battery Life

Apple

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 666 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 30 rated technology retailers


Job description

Why Apple? We live in a mobile and device driven world where knowledge of the physical world around us is needed. We rely on this knowledge to get around, to learn about our environment and to enable spectacular new features for custom applications. Apple is meeting those needs as robustly and as creatively as possible and is interested in people who want to help meet that commitment. Apple has a world-class reputation for product quality and we need your help to keep those high standards for battery life. We're looking for critical thinkers who would like to play a key role in our engineering process, working in a fast-paced environment across a range of technologies to help us ensure all of our devices have best-of-class battery life.
Description
We're seeking a Software Development Engineer in Test - Battery Life to play a pivotal role in our engineering process. This role involves working in a fast-paced environment across various technologies to ensure our devices have exceptional battery life. We're looking for an engineer with strong execution and automation skills, as well as the creativity and initiative to proactively identify new opportunities for workflow improvement.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors/Masters degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or equivalent experience
Proficient in a scripting language (such as Python)
Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)
Strong QA experience in test planning/strategy/methodologies
Self-sufficient in debugging, troubleshooting and problem solving
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in automated test execution and developing automated test frameworks.
System level knowledge of hardware and software

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Apple logo

About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976