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Software Test Engineer Jobs in Lacey, WA (NOW HIRING)

Tecolote Research

Software Test Engineer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$60K - $77K/yr

Overview We are seeking a Software Test Engineer to join our software development team in Tacoma, WA. This role is ideal for a quality professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, can manage ...

Tecolote

Software Test Engineer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

We are seeking a Software Test Engineer to join our software development team in Tacoma, WA. This role is ideal for a quality professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, can manage multiple ...

Tecolote Research, Inc.

Software Test Engineer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

We are seeking a Software Test Engineer to join our software development team in Tacoma, WA. This role is ideal for a quality professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, can manage multiple ...

2T Consulting

SDET Engineer

Bremerton, WA · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. * 8+ years of experience in software testing, QA automation, or SDET roles. * Strong experience in both manual testing and test ...

2T Consulting

SDET Engineer

Vashon, WA · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. * 8+ years of experience in software testing, QA automation, or SDET roles. * Strong experience in both manual testing and test ...

AST

Software Engineer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$125K - $140K/yr

Software Engineer At AST, we enhance the efficiency, productivity, and safety of flexibleaseptic ... Develop and maintain unit and integration tests to ensure code quality, reliability, and ...

AST

Software Engineer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$125K - $140K/yr

Software Engineer At AST, we enhance the efficiency, productivity, and safety of flexible aseptic ... Develop and maintain unit and integration tests to ensure code quality, reliability, and ...

Automated Systems of Tacoma

Software Engineer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

AST is looking for a driven Software Engineer to join our Research and Development team in Tacoma ... Develop and maintain unit and integration tests to ensure code quality, reliability, and ...

State of Washington

Software Developer

Olympia, WA · On-site

$86K - $113K/yr

Collaborates with other developers and the test team to assist in testing as development progresses ... the Software Developer may substitute for the qualifications listed. A Bachelor's degree in ...

State of Washington

Software Developer

Olympia, WA · On-site

$86K - $113K/yr

Coordinates and performs in-depth tests, including end-user reviews, for modified and new systems ... the Software Developer may substitute for the qualifications listed. A Bachelor's degree in ...

PNC Bank

Senior Software Engineer

Home, WA · On-site +1

$136K - $179K/yr

Writes code, tests and deploys software. * Prepares technical and procedural documentation required ... Programming Language), Process Improvements, Red Hat OpenShift, Release Management, Software ...

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All JobsSoftware Test Engineer JobsSoftware Test Engineer Jobs in Lacey, WA

Software Test Engineer information

See Lacey, WA salary details

$11

$56

$79

How much do software test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for software test engineer in Lacey, WA is $56.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.82 and $63.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software test engineer?

A software test engineer conducts quality assurance tests on software to make sure programs are functioning properly. The three types of testing strategies are black box, where the tester is not familiar with the software, white box, where the tester is aware of the software’s internal structure, and gray box, which is a combination of the two. Responsibilities in this job include running diagnostic tests with a critical mindset, assessing the functionality, and reporting the findings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software test engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Test Engineer, you need a solid understanding of software development life cycles, test methodologies, and proficiency in programming languages such as Python or Java, often supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with automation tools like Selenium, JUnit, or TestNG, and knowledge of bug tracking systems such as Jira are typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication set standout engineers apart by enabling thorough defect identification and clear reporting. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring software reliability, meeting quality standards, and facilitating smooth collaboration across development teams.

What are some common challenges faced by software test engineers when working with cross-functional development teams?

Software Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as aligning testing timelines with rapid development cycles, ensuring clear communication of bugs and requirements, and adapting to evolving project priorities. Collaborating closely with developers, product managers, and UX designers requires proactive communication and flexibility, especially when dealing with ambiguous requirements or shifting deadlines. To succeed, it's important to maintain detailed documentation, participate actively in agile ceremonies, and foster a collaborative attitude to resolve issues efficiently and ensure high-quality software releases.

What is the difference between Software Test Engineer vs QA Analyst?

AspectSoftware Test EngineerQA Analyst
CertificationsISTQB, CSTE, CSQAISTQB, CSTE, CSQA
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, testing labsQuality assurance departments, testing labs
Industry UsageSoftware companies, tech firmsSoftware companies, IT organizations
Primary FocusDesigning, executing tests, automationTest planning, process improvement, documentation

Both roles often require similar certifications and work in software testing environments within tech industries. The Software Test Engineer typically focuses on test case development, automation, and execution, while the QA Analyst emphasizes test planning, quality processes, and documentation. Understanding these distinctions helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and professionals for their testing needs.

More about Software Test Engineer jobs

What cities near Lacey, WA are hiring for Software Test Engineer jobs?

Cities near Lacey, WA with the most Software Test Engineer job openings:

Software Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Software Test Engineer job openings in Lacey, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,545 per year, or $56 per hour.

Software Test Engineer

Tecolote Research

Tacoma, WA • On-site

$60K - $77K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Perform manual testing of applications and create and execute test plans.

  • Track bugs and software issues, replicate and document bugs reported in the field, and generate example datasets for testing.

  • Code automated tests and participate in Agile/Scrum processes to meet sprint release schedules.

Job description

Overview
We are seeking a Software Test Engineer to join our software development team in Tacoma, WA. This role is ideal for a quality professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, can manage multiple priorities, and is passionate about driving quality excellence. You will support QA activities for a data-heavy enterprise web application with complex workflows, including: manual testing, replication of defects, and creation of test plans. This role is primarily focused on manual testing, with some time spent writing automated tests. You'll enjoy working in our dynamic development team in a casual, supportive, and collaborative environment with flexible hours. Ability to work in person full time in Tacoma, WA is essential.
Responsibilities
  • Perform manual testing of our applications
  • Create and execute test plans
  • Track bugs and other software issues through the entire development workflow
  • Replicate and document bugs reported in the field
  • Generate example datasets to use in testing our data ingestion and parsing tools
  • Code automated tests
  • Assist the requirements team in reviewing new feature documentation and adding steps as needed
  • Participate in Agile/Scrum process to meet sprint release schedules
  • Make feature suggestions that would improve the end-user experience

Skills Required
This position requires strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, excellent communication skills, familiarity with software development fundamentals, and the ability to work independently while partnering effectively with multiple stakeholders. You will augment your QA efforts with AI- assisted coding tools to accelerate development of test plans, generation of edge cases, and contribution to automated tests, while maintaining ownership of work quality, decisions, and correctness (our team engages AI as a force multiplier for our development team, not a substitute for engineering judgment)
Essential:
  • 1-4 years of experience in software testing or software development, ideally in web applications
  • Solid understanding of the software development lifecycle and test methodologies
  • Experience using requirements/bug/agile tracking systems such as Azure DevOps, JIRA, etc.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to understand, describe and test complex application functionality
  • Basic programming or scripting experience (in any language), or experience writing automated tests
  • The ability to obtain and maintain the proper security clearance (Secret level) is required
  • U.S. citizenship is required

Preferred / Nice-to-Have:
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Experience writing automated tests using a modern test automation or API testing tool (e.g.,
  • Playwright, Selenium, Postman)
  • Experience testing for Accessibility (Section 508, WCAG 2.0, etc.)
  • Technical writing skills
  • Experience working with complex data
  • Openness to adopting new tools and workflows, including AI-assisted coding tools, as a complement to strong core testing fundamentals

Salary Range: $60,000 - $77,500/Year, DOE
Education
A bachelor's degree in computer science (or other relevant concentration) required. An additional three years of directly relevant software development experience may substitute for the degree requirement.

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