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Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in San Francisco, CA

Plaud

Software Development Engineer in Test

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$59 - $76/hr

The Software Development Engineer in Test will be responsible for establishing the quality engineering function, developing test automation for both consumer and enterprise platforms, and fostering a ...

Comrise

Software Developer in Test

Foster City, CA · On-site

$65/hr

... Test (SDET) - Automation & AI Frameworks Location: Foster City, CA (100% In-Person) Pay Rate: $65.21 / hour (Full-Time Contract) Schedule: Monday - Friday, Day Shift (40 hours/week) Industry:

3B Staffing LLC

SDET with Java/ Selenium

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

Role: SDET with Java/ Selenium Location: Pasadena CA Duration: 6+ Months Strong Java with Selenium Role: SDET with Java/ Selenium Location: Pasadena CA Duration: 6+ Months Strong Java with Selenium ...

Apex Informatics

SDET

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$55.75 - $71.75/hr

Software Development Engineers in Test are involved in all aspects of quality assurance activities for a scrum team. Working closely with other Quality Engineers, SDETs, Developers and Product ...

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All JobsSoftware Development Engineer In Test JobsSoftware Development Engineer In Test Jobs in San Francisco, CA

Software Development Engineer In Test information

See San Francisco, CA salary details

$13

$64

$87

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

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for software development engineer in test in San Francisco, CA is $64.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56.63 and $73.08 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 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 cities near San Francisco, CA are hiring for Software Development Engineer In Test jobs? Cities near San Francisco, CA with the most Software Development Engineer In Test job openings:
Software Development Engineer In Test jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Development Engineer In Test job openings in San Francisco, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,200 per year, or $64.5 per hour.
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Conch Technologies Inc

Fremont, CA • On-site

Contractor

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Location: Fremont, CA (Onsite – 5 Days/Week)
Duration: 6+Months
 

 Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to join a fast-paced engineering team developing a modern internal platform that improves engineering productivity and operational efficiency. This is a highly technical, hands-on role where strong software development skills are equally as important as test automation expertise.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience building scalable automation frameworks using Python and Playwright, enjoys solving complex engineering challenges, and thrives in an agile environment with rapid development and frequent releases.

 Key Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and maintain scalable automated testing frameworks from the ground up.
  • Build and execute automated tests for web applications, REST APIs, integration testing, and end-to-end user workflows.
  • Collaborate closely with software engineers throughout the development lifecycle to ensure high software quality.
  • Develop automation solutions that support both scheduled releases and continuous deployments.
  • Perform root cause analysis, troubleshoot defects, and drive issue resolution.
  • Improve application reliability, performance, and overall user experience.
  • Participate in code reviews and contribute to engineering best practices.
  • Define automation strategies, testing standards, and quality processes.
  • Continuously improve automation coverage and testing efficiency.
 Required Qualifications
  • 5–6 years of experience as an SDET, Test Automation Engineer, or Software Quality Engineer.
  • Strong programming experience using Python.
  • Hands-on experience with Playwright for web automation.
  • Proven experience designing and building automation frameworks from scratch.
  • Strong understanding of software engineering principles and best practices.
  • Experience testing modern web applications and distributed systems.
  • Excellent debugging, troubleshooting, and analytical skills.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced Agile environment.
 Required Technical Skills
  • Python
  • Playwright
  • Test Automation Framework Development
  • API Testing (REST)
  • Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
  • Data Structures & Algorithms
  • Design Patterns
  • Debugging & Root Cause Analysis
  • System Design Fundamentals
  • End-to-End Testing
  • Integration Testing
  • Web Application Testing
  • Software Quality Engineering
 Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working in CI/CD environments.
  • Familiarity with rapid release cycles and continuous deployment practices.
  • Experience collaborating closely with software development teams.
  • Passion for software quality, automation, and engineering excellence.