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Software Development Engineer Jobs in Irvine, CA

Broadcom

Senior Software Development Engineer

Irvine, CA

$108K - $172K/yr

You will be involved with software design and development for Broadcom PHY chip set drivers. As a member of this team at Broadcom your responsibilities include: * Design and develop Ethernet, PCIe ...

Saransh Inc

Automation SDET

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

Automation SDET Location: Newport Beach, CA (Hybrid Onsite - Min 3 days a week onsite is required) Job Type: Contract Experience Required: 7+ Years Skill Metrics: Skills Required Python Yes Jenkins ...

loanDepot

Sr. SDET (Selenium/Automation)

Irvine, CA

The Senior Software Development Engineer in Test is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing solutions that improve software quality, reduce production risk, and ...

loanDepot

Sr. SDET (Selenium/Automation)

Irvine, CA

The Senior Software Development Engineer in Test is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing solutions that improve software quality, reduce production risk, and ...

loanDepot

Sr. SDET (Selenium/Automation)

Irvine, CA

The Senior Software Development Engineer in Test is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated testing solutions that improve software quality, reduce production risk, and ...

USM

SDET------Need GC and USC-----Need Locals

Irvine, CA

$53.75 - $69.25/hr

We are a project-driven firm that reliably meets the IT needs of our State and Government customers through development and business keenness. SDET Location: Irvine, CA Duration: 12+ month contract ...

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All JobsSoftware Development Engineer JobsSoftware Development Engineer Jobs in Irvine, CA

Software Development Engineer information

See Irvine, CA salary details

$68.2K

$158.4K

$220.6K

How much do software development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for software development engineer in Irvine, CA is $158,351.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $128,800.00 and $185,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectSoftware Development EngineerSoftware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field; sometimes certificationsBachelor's degree in CS or related field; certifications optional
Work EnvironmentDevelops, tests, and maintains software; often in tech companies or startupsDesigns and implements software solutions; in various industries including tech, finance, healthcare
Industry UsageCommonly used in tech companies, especially in North America and AsiaWidely used across multiple industries and regions
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for roles involving coding and software creationGeneral term for software development roles

Both roles involve coding and software creation, but a Software Development Engineer typically focuses on developing, testing, and maintaining software in tech environments, often with a more specialized or technical emphasis. Software Engineer is a broader term used across industries, encompassing various aspects of software design and implementation.

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

To thrive as a Software Development Engineer, you need strong programming skills in languages such as Java, Python, or C++, along with a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, cloud platforms, and development frameworks is essential, and certifications such as AWS Certified Developer can be advantageous. Problem-solving ability, effective teamwork, and strong communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities enable engineers to build robust software solutions, adapt to evolving technologies, and collaborate efficiently within development teams.

What are some common challenges Software Development Engineers face when working on large-scale projects?

Software Development Engineers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges such as coordinating with cross-functional teams, managing code integration from multiple contributors, and ensuring consistent coding standards. Maintaining effective communication and clear documentation becomes essential to prevent misunderstandings and bottlenecks. Additionally, addressing scalability, performance optimization, and thorough testing can be complex, but these experiences also offer valuable opportunities for professional growth and learning.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior software development engineers, especially those in high-demand fields like machine learning, cloud computing, or fintech, can earn $500,000 or more annually with base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and working at large tech companies or startups with significant equity offerings.

What does a software development engineer do?

A software development engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software applications and systems. They write code using programming languages, collaborate with teams to define requirements, and ensure software quality through debugging and documentation. Proficiency in tools like version control and understanding of software development methodologies are essential for the role.

What are Software Development Engineers?

Software Development Engineers (SDEs) are professionals who design, develop, test, and maintain software applications or systems. They work with programming languages, frameworks, and tools to solve problems and build functional solutions for users or businesses. SDEs may specialize in various areas such as web development, mobile applications, or backend systems, and often collaborate with other team members like designers, testers, and product managers. Their responsibilities typically include writing code, debugging, optimizing performance, and ensuring software quality.

Is it true that AI will replace software engineers?

AI is transforming software development by automating repetitive tasks and assisting with coding, but it is not expected to fully replace software engineers. Instead, engineers will increasingly work alongside AI tools, focusing on complex problem-solving, system design, and innovation that require human judgment and creativity.

Can I make 200k a year as a software engineer?

Software development engineers can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with experience, specialized skills, and working in high-paying industries or locations. Senior roles, expertise in areas like machine learning or cloud computing, and working at large tech companies often contribute to reaching this salary level.
What cities near Irvine, CA are hiring for Software Development Engineer jobs? Cities near Irvine, CA with the most Software Development Engineer job openings:
Software Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Development Engineer job openings in Irvine, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $158,351 per year, or $76.1 per hour.
Sr Software Development Engineer in Test (Sr SDET)

Sr Software Development Engineer in Test (Sr SDET)

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)

Aliso Viejo, CA • On-site

$116K - $151K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?

Sony Interactive Entertainment isn't just the Best Place to Play - it's also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we're part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting-edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.

Sr Software Development Engineer in Test

Location: The primary location for this position is San Mateo, CA. However, we are also open to having this position based in Aliso Viejo, CA or San Diego, CA.

Do you have a passion for development and automation as well as driven vision for delivering the best experiences to users? Do you want to work at a company where customers have real passion and excitement for the products you help build? At PlayStation, we are looking for engineers to join a global initiative in building innovative test automation and CI/CD systems. We are looking for self-motivated, quick-starter and highly proactive individuals to join our Client QA team, who would be responsible for ensuring delivery of features on PlayStation's Mobile App!

At PlayStation, we are passionate about innovation, teamwork and technology. We love building the systems that millions of people use and are our own first customers. We strive to be at the forefront of development technologies and are a diverse company with teams on four continents.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead and influence the overall quality engineering strategy across PlayStation console, mobile, portal, hardware, and service ecosystems.
  • Drive architecture-level automation solutions and scalable quality engineering practices across multiple teams and product areas.
  • Define and evolve enterprise-level automation standards, CI/CD quality gates, and testing strategies to improve release confidence, scalability, and engineering velocity.
  • Design, build, and scale automation frameworks across UI, API, integration, telemetry, hardware, portal, and end-to-end testing layers.
  • Lead cross-functional initiatives focused on automation stability, flakiness reduction, infrastructure modernization, and long-term QE scalability.
  • Partner closely with Engineering, Product, Program Management, and QE leadership to drive shift-left testing practices and shared ownership of quality.
  • Drive R&D initiatives around AI-assisted testing and modern quality engineering solutions to address automation gaps, improve coverage, accelerate test generation, enhance failure analysis, and reduce manual effort.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies, AI driven tooling, and innovative automation approaches to future-proof the organization's testing strategy.
  • Lead strategic improvements in hardware/device testing, cloud/device lab orchestration, telemetry validation, observability, and production-like validation environments.
  • Mentor and guide SDETs and QEs across teams on automation architecture, testing methodologies, debugging, quality strategy, and engineering standards.
  • Define and track quality metrics, automation health, pipeline stability, release risk indicators, and defect trends to drive data-informed quality decisions.
  • Influence organizational quality culture by establishing scalable operational models, governance mechanisms, and engineering standards.
  • Lead complex root-cause investigations and drive systemic fixes to recurring quality issues across platforms and teams.

Qualifications

  • BS/MS degree or equivalent
  • 8+ years of experience in Software Development Engineering in Test (SDET), automation engineering, or quality engineering roles.
  • Proven experience leading large-scale mobile quality engineering initiatives across multiple teams or product areas.
  • Deep experience designing automation frameworks and implementing automated testing solutions across UI, API, integration, telemetry, portal, hardware, and end-to-end layers.
  • Strong programming/scripting experience in Python, JavaScript, or similar languages.
  • Strong expertise with automation frameworks such as Playwright, Pytest, Appium, Selenium.
  • Experience architecting and optimizing CI/CD pipelines, quality gates, and release validation systems using Jenkins or similar platforms.
  • Practical experience with development and deployment tooling such as Git, Jenkins, Docker, Appium, cloud/device lab solutions, browser-based portal testing, and hardware/device validation workflows.
  • Experience leveraging AI-assisted testing tools and driving innovation in AI-based automation, test generation, defect analysis, and productivity improvements.
  • Experience driving test strategy, release quality planning, risk management, and operational quality improvements for large-scale systems.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and systems-thinking abilities with a focus on identifying and solving systemic quality gaps.
  • Proven ability to influence engineering organizations, drive adoption of best practices, and align teams on scalable quality strategies.
  • Experience mentoring engineers and leading cross-functional technical initiatives.
  • Comfortable operating in fast-paced Agile environments with evolving requirements and multiple stakeholders.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration abilities.

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE's top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Clickhere to learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.
$167,800-$251,600 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to ourCandidate Privacy Noticefor more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.

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