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Volunteer Software Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Software Development Engineer (SDET)

Merrifield, VA · On-site

$49.75 - $64.25/hr

Senior Software Development Engineer (SDET) Location: Hybrid Work Model Reporting to Vienna, VA ... voluntary plans, as well as participation in a 401(k) plan. System One is an Equal Opportunity ...

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Volunteer Software Development information

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$79.5K

$142.1K

$178.5K

How much do volunteer software development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for volunteer software development in the United States is $142,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,500.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is volunteer software development?

Volunteer software development involves individuals offering their programming skills and technical expertise for free to support non-profit organizations, open-source projects, or community initiatives. These volunteers help build, maintain, or improve software systems without monetary compensation, often to support causes they care about. This work can range from designing websites to developing complex applications, and may be done remotely or on-site. Volunteering in software development not only helps organizations achieve their missions but also provides volunteers with valuable experience and networking opportunities.

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

To thrive as a Volunteer Software Developer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages, version control, and software development principles, typically gained through education or self-study. Familiarity with platforms like GitHub, issue trackers, and common frameworks or libraries is highly beneficial. Strong communication, teamwork, and a proactive attitude help you collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders. These skills enable volunteers to contribute meaningful code, support project goals, and drive positive impact in resource-limited environments.

What are some common challenges faced by volunteer software developers, and how can they be effectively managed?

Volunteer software developers often work with teams that have varying skill levels and may be distributed across different time zones, making communication and coordination challenging. Additionally, since volunteer roles are typically part-time or flexible, balancing project deadlines with volunteers’ availability requires strong project management and clear expectations. To manage these challenges, it’s helpful to use collaborative tools, maintain regular check-ins, and establish clear documentation and coding standards. Open communication and a supportive team culture can also help volunteers stay engaged and productive.

What is the difference between Volunteer Software Development vs Software Developer?

AspectVolunteer Software DevelopmentSoftware Developer
CredentialsTypically no formal credentials required; passion and basic coding skillsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field often required
Work EnvironmentNon-profit, open-source projects, or community initiativesCorporate, startup, or freelance settings
Employer & IndustryNon-profit organizations, open-source communitiesTech companies, startups, consulting firms
Search & Comparison IntentVolunteering opportunities, unpaid coding rolesPaid employment, career development

Volunteer Software Development involves unpaid work for non-profit or open-source projects, often with flexible credentials. Software Developers typically work in paid roles within companies, requiring formal education and professional experience. Both roles involve coding but differ mainly in compensation, work environment, and career progression.

What cities are hiring for Volunteer Software Development jobs? Cities with the most Volunteer Software Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Development jobs? The most popular types of Software Development jobs are:
What states have the most Volunteer Software Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Volunteer Software Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Volunteer Software Development job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 8% As Needed, 58% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,102 per year, or $68.3 per hour.
Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

subway

Shelton, CT • On-site

$102K - $128K/yr

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 20 days ago


Subway rating

4.5

Company rating: 4.5 out of 10

Based on 2,007 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

89th of 104 rated fast food restaurants


Job description

Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Ready to build what’s next with one of the world’s most iconic brands?

Why Join Subway?

At Subway, we are not standing still. We are building.

This is a business focused on what matters most: growing franchisee profitability, strengthening our brand and creating long-term value. The people who thrive here are the ones who want to make a real impact.

You will not just do the work. You will shape it.

We move fast. We think like owners. We make decisions that matter. We hold ourselves to a high standard because what we do directly impacts thousands of franchisees around the world.

If you bring energy, accountability and a bias for action, you will fit right in.

We take the work seriously, but we also know the best results come from teams that support each other, celebrate wins and show up ready to build something better every day.

This is your chance to be part of what’s next.

About the Role:

The Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is responsible for building and maintaining automated test solutions that ensure the quality, reliability, and performance of software applications. This role applies strong software engineering skills to testing challenges, embedding quality into the development lifecycle through automation, tooling, and continuous validation. The SDET partners closely with Software Engineers, Product Managers, and Platform teams to deliver high-quality, scalable systems.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

  • Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks for UI, API, and backend services.
  • Write production-quality test code using modern programming languages and frameworks.
  • Collaborate with software engineers to define test strategies, acceptance criteria, and quality requirements.
  • Embed automated testing into CI/CD pipelines to enable continuous testing and fast feedback.
  • Develop and execute tests for functional, integration, regression, and end-to-end scenarios.
  • Perform API, data-level, and contract testing to validate system integrations.
  • Identify, document, and track defects while partnering with engineering teams on root-cause analysis.
  • Validate non-functional requirements including performance, reliability, and scalability, as needed.
  • Participate in design and code reviews to provide a quality and testability perspective.
  • Improve test coverage and reduce manual testing through automation and tooling enhancements.

Qualifications (some examples listed below):

  • 4–7 years of experience in software testing, automation, or SDET roles.
  • Strong software development skills with experience writing test automation code.
  • Proficiency in one or more programming or scripting languages (e.g., Java, JavaScript, Python, C#).
  • Experience with test automation frameworks and tools (e.g., Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, REST-assured, Postman).
  • Solid understanding of REST APIs, microservices, and distributed systems.
  • Experience integrating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines.
  • Familiarity with Agile and DevOps delivery models.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • People Management: No | Travel: Minimal to none.

What do we offer?

  • Insurance Plans (Medical, Life)
  • Pension/401K/RSP (country specific)
  • Competitive Bonus
  • Mobility Allowance
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Company Holidays
  • Volunteering time
  • And More……

 

Compensation: The base pay range for this role is $102,700 - 128,400 annually 

Pay within this range will be determined in good faith based on job-related factors, which may include skills, experience, education/training, location, and internal equity.


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