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Sr Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in San Diego, CA

Company Description 360 IT Professionals is a Software Development Company based in Fremont ... Additional Information Unfeigned Regards, Harmanpreet Singh Walia | Sr. Talent & Client Acquisition ...

Senior Software Test Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

The Senior Software Test Engineer will serve as the test owner for assigned software subsystems ... in team testing practices. * Work within established software-development, quality, and ...

Showing results 21-40

Sr Software Development Engineer In Test information

See San Diego, CA salary details

$23.9K

$133.3K

$173.6K

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

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for sr software development engineer in test in San Diego, CA is $133,309.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,300.00 and $152,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Sr Software Development Engineer in Test?

A Sr Software Development Engineer In Test (Sr SDET) is a senior-level professional responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated test frameworks and tools to ensure the quality of software products. They work closely with developers and other QA team members to create robust testing strategies, identify defects, and improve the overall software development process. Sr SDETs have advanced programming skills, deep knowledge of test automation, and often mentor junior team members. Their goal is to enable efficient, reliable, and scalable automated testing throughout the software development lifecycle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sr Software Development Engineer in Test?

To thrive as a Sr Software Development Engineer In Test, you need advanced programming skills (such as Java, Python, or C#), deep understanding of software testing methodologies, and a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related field. Expertise with automation frameworks (like Selenium or Cypress), CI/CD tools (Jenkins, Git), and test management systems is typically required, along with certifications such as ISTQB being beneficial. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and strong collaboration and communication skills distinguish standout professionals in this role. These competencies ensure the delivery of high-quality, reliable software products through efficient test automation and seamless teamwork.

What are some common challenges faced by a Sr Software Development Engineer in Test when working on large-scale projects?

Sr Software Development Engineers in Test (SDETs) often encounter challenges such as managing complex test automation frameworks, ensuring comprehensive test coverage for rapidly evolving codebases, and coordinating with multiple development and QA teams. Balancing the need for speed in continuous integration pipelines with maintaining high-quality standards can also be demanding. Additionally, SDETs are frequently responsible for mentoring junior testers and advocating for best testing practices across cross-functional teams, which requires strong communication and leadership skills.

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

AspectSr Software Development Engineer In TestSoftware Development Engineer In Test
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related, experience in automation testingBachelor's in CS or related, focus on automation skills
Work EnvironmentDesigns and develops complex test frameworks, leads testing initiativesDevelops and maintains test scripts, executes testing
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech companies, especially in QA and testing teamsCommon in software development companies, focusing on testing automation

The main difference is that a Sr Software Development Engineer In Test typically has more experience, leads testing efforts, and designs complex testing frameworks, while a Software Development Engineer In Test primarily focuses on developing and executing test scripts. Both roles require strong automation skills and are vital in ensuring software quality, but the senior role involves more leadership and strategic testing responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Sr Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in San Diego, CA?

For Sr Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in San Diego, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Sr Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in San Diego, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Sr Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in San Diego, CA are:

What cities near San Diego, CA are hiring for Sr Software Development Engineer In Test jobs?

Cities near San Diego, CA with the most Sr Software Development Engineer In Test job openings:

Infographic showing various Sr Software Development Engineer In Test job openings in San Diego, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,309 per year, or $64.1 per hour.

Supervisor Software Engineering

General Atomics

Poway, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


General Atomics rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

Job Summary
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.
The Software Engineering Manager will lead a team of software engineers while driving improvements in engineering execution, Agile practices, software quality, and delivery processes. This role requires a strong software engineering foundation, excellent people leadership skills, and the ability to improve how teams plan, develop, test, and deliver software.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
People Leadership
  • Hire, mentor, coach, and develop software engineers.
  • Support career growth and provide technical and professional guidance.
  • Build a high-performing engineering team.
  • Establish engineering best practices and a culture of continuous improvement.
Engineering Execution
  • Lead Agile execution and support PI Planning activities.
  • Improve predictability of software delivery.
  • Coordinate cross-team dependencies and execution risks.
  • Remove process and technical blockers affecting delivery.
  • Improve SDLC practices and engineering workflows.
Software Delivery and Quality
  • Partner with DevOps to improve software development, testing, and release processes.
  • Define and improve testing strategies.
  • Coordinate release readiness activities.
  • Improve engineering quality metrics.
  • Support build validation and integration processes.
Technical Leadership
  • Maintain enough technical depth to understand software architecture, development practices, source control, builds, CI/CD concepts, and containerized application environments.
  • Partner with architects, senior engineers, and DevOps teams.
  • Help teams make effective technical decisions and improve engineering effectiveness.
We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.
Job Qualifications
  • Typically requires education or formal training equivalent to the completion of a Bachelors degree in Software Engineering or related discipline and six or more years progressively complex experience. Additional professional experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
  • Experience leading software engineering teams or serving as a technical leader.
  • Strong understanding of Agile methodologies; SAFe and PI Planning experience preferred.
  • Strong understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle.
  • Experience improving software delivery processes and engineering practices.
  • Familiarity with CI/CD concepts, source control, branching strategies, automated testing, and containerized software environments.
  • Experience with tools such as Jira, confluence, and GitLab.
  • Strong communication, coaching, and cross-functional leadership skills.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Clearance is required.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Previous experience as a Software Engineer, Senior SDET, Systems Engineer, or Technical Lead.
  • Experience managing teams developing containerized applications.
  • Experience defining engineering metrics and operational KPIs.
  • Experience driving continuous improvement within software engineering organizations.

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About General Atomics

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world's leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1955