SDET vs. QA Engineer: Understanding the Differences

9 min readJan 3, 2023

Introduction:

Brief overview of the roles of SDETs and QA engineers:

Software Development Engineers in Test (SDETs) and Quality Assurance (QA) Engineers are two important roles in the software development and testing process. SDETs are software professionals who specialize in developing and implementing automation testing solutions, while QA Engineers are responsible for manual testing and identifying defects in software products. Both roles are critical to ensuring the quality and reliability of a software product.

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The importance of understanding the differences between the two roles:

It’s important to understand the differences between SDETs and QA Engineers, as they have distinct responsibilities and require different skill sets. Misinterpreting the roles or responsibilities of an SDET or QA Engineer can lead to confusion, miscommunication, and inefficiencies within a development team. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between these two roles and why it’s important to understand these distinctions.

You can also see the trend for the number of times the term “SDET” is searched on Google:

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SDET Google Trends of Past 5 Years

You can also see the trend for the number of times the term “QA” is searched on Google:

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QA Google Trends of Past 5 Years

Responsibilities of SDETs:

Definition of SDET:

A Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is a software professional who specializes in developing and implementing automation testing solutions. SDETs work closely with software developers and QA Engineers to ensure the quality and reliability of a software product.

Key responsibilities of SDETs:

Testing: SDETs are responsible for designing and executing automated tests to ensure the quality of a software product. This may include functional testing, regression testing, and performance testing.
Developing automation frameworks: One of the key responsibilities of an SDET is to develop and maintain automation frameworks that can be used to run automated tests efficiently and effectively. This may include designing test architecture, choosing the appropriate tools and technologies, and writing and maintaining automation scripts.
Collaboration: SDETs work closely with software developers and QA Engineers to ensure that all aspects of the software development process are properly tested and validated. This may involve participating in code reviews, testing in-progress features, and troubleshooting issues that arise during the testing process.

Skills and knowledge required for an SDET:

Strong programming skills: SDETs must have a strong understanding of programming concepts and languages, as they will be responsible for writing and maintaining automation scripts. Common programming languages used by SDETs include Java, Python, and C#.
Experience with testing tools and technologies: SDETs should have experience with a variety of testing tools and technologies, such as Selenium, Appium, and JUnit. They should also have a strong understanding of testing methodologies and best practices.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills: SDETs work closely with software developers and QA Engineers, so strong communication and collaboration skills are essential. They should be able to effectively communicate testing results and issues, and work with other team members to resolve any issues that arise.

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Responsibilities of QA Engineers:

Definition of QA engineer:

A Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer is a software professional who is responsible for identifying and documenting defects in software products. QA Engineers work closely with software developers and SDETs to ensure that a software product meets the specified requirements and functions as intended.

Key responsibilities of QA engineers:

Manual testing: QA Engineers are responsible for performing manual tests on software products to identify defects and verify that the software functions as intended. This may include functional testing, regression testing, and user acceptance testing.
Bug tracking: QA Engineers are responsible for documenting and tracking defects that are found during the testing process. They may use tools such as bug tracking software to manage this process.
Collaboration: QA Engineers work closely with software developers and SDETs to ensure that all aspects of the software development process are properly tested and validated. This may involve participating in code reviews, testing in-progress features, and troubleshooting issues that arise during the testing process.

Skills and knowledge required for a QA engineer:

Strong understanding of testing methodologies: QA Engineers should have a strong understanding of different testing methodologies and be able to apply them appropriately to different situations.
Attention to detail: QA Engineers must have excellent attention to detail, as they are responsible for identifying defects in software products.
Good communication and collaboration skills: QA Engineers work closely with software developers and SDETs, so strong communication and collaboration skills are essential. They should be able to effectively communicate testing results and issues, and work with other team members to resolve any issues that arise.

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Differences between SDETs and QA Engineers:

Key differences in responsibilities and skills:

While both SDETs and QA Engineers are responsible for ensuring the quality and reliability of a software product, they have distinct responsibilities and require different skill sets.

SDETs are responsible for developing and implementing automation testing solutions, while QA Engineers are responsible for manual testing and bug tracking.
SDETs should have strong programming skills and experience with testing tools and technologies, while QA Engineers should have a strong understanding of testing methodologies and excellent attention to detail.

Differences in career paths and advancement opportunities:

The career paths and advancement opportunities for SDETs and QA Engineers may also differ.

SDETs may have more opportunities to advance into leadership or management roles, as they often have a strong understanding of both testing and development.
QA Engineers may have more opportunities to specialize in a particular area of testing, such as security testing or performance testing.

It’s important to note that these differences are not set in stone, and individual career paths and advancement opportunities will depend on a variety of factors, including an individual’s skills, experience, and personal goals.

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Average Software Development Engineer, Test (SDET) Salary

SDET Salary — source payscale

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SDET Pay By Experience — source

Based on 78 salaries, an entry-level Software Development Engineer, Test (SDET) with less than 1 year of experience can expect to make an average total compensation of $70,983. This average total compensation includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay. Based on 677 salaries, the average total income for a Software Development Engineer, Test (SDET) in their first few years of employment is $83,563. Based on 342 salaries, the average total pay for a mid-career Software Development Engineer, Test (SDET) with 5–9 years of experience is $101,373. (1979) Paraphrased, (paraphrased, Employees who are in their late careers (20 years or more) make an average total annual salary of $120,720.

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How do Software Development Engineer, Test (SDET)s Rate Their Jobs?

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This data is based on 380 survey responses — source

What Are Popular Skills for Software Development Engineer, Test (SDET)s?

SDET Skills — source

Pay that is above average is connected with Python skills. Test Automation, Selenium Automated Test Tool, Java, and Test Planning are examples of skills that are undervalued.

Popular Career Paths for Software Development Engineer, Test (SDET)s

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SDET Career Path — Source

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SDET vs. QA Engineer: Understanding the Differences 1

Frequently Asked Questions on SDET

Q. What is an SDET?

Ans. A Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is a software professional who specializes in developing and implementing automation testing solutions. SDETs work closely with software developers and QA Engineers to ensure the quality and reliability of a software product.

Q. What are the responsibilities of an SDET?

Ans. The primary responsibilities of an SDET include designing and executing automated tests to ensure the quality of a software product, developing and maintaining automation frameworks, and collaborating with software developers and QA Engineers to ensure that all aspects of the software development process are properly tested and validated.

Q. What skills and knowledge are required for an SDET?

Ans. SDETs should have strong programming skills, experience with testing tools and technologies, and excellent communication and collaboration skills. They should also have a strong understanding of testing methodologies and best practices.

Q. What is the difference between an SDET and a QA Engineer?

Ans. While both SDETs and QA Engineers are responsible for ensuring the quality and reliability of a software product, they have distinct responsibilities and require different skill sets. SDETs are responsible for developing and implementing automation testing solutions, while QA Engineers are responsible for manual testing and bug tracking. SDETs should have strong programming skills and experience with testing tools and technologies, while QA Engineers should have a strong understanding of testing methodologies and excellent attention to detail.

Q. How do I become an SDET?

Ans. To become an SDET, you will need to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. This may involve obtaining a degree in a related field such as computer science or software engineering, taking courses or training programs in automation testing, and gaining relevant experience through internships or entry-level positions. It may also be helpful to seek guidance from mentors or professionals in the field.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it’s important to understand the differences between Software Development Engineers in Test (SDETs) and Quality Assurance (QA) Engineers in the context of software development and testing. While both roles are critical to ensuring the quality and reliability of a software product, they have distinct responsibilities and require different skill sets.

Recap of the main differences between SDETs and QA engineers:

In this article, we explored the key differences between Software Development Engineers in Test (SDETs) and Quality Assurance (QA) Engineers. We learned that:

SDETs are responsible for developing and implementing automation testing solutions, while QA Engineers are responsible for manual testing and bug tracking.
SDETs should have strong programming skills and experience with testing tools and technologies, while QA Engineers should have a strong understanding of testing methodologies and excellent attention to detail.
The career paths and advancement opportunities for SDETs and QA Engineers may also differ, with SDETs having more opportunities to advance into leadership or management roles and QA Engineers having more opportunities to specialize in a particular area of testing.

The importance of understanding these differences in the context of software development:

Understanding the differences between SDETs and QA Engineers is important for a number of reasons. It can help professionals identify which role is the best fit for their skills and interests, and it can also help organizations make informed hiring decisions. Misinterpreting the roles or responsibilities of an SDET or QA Engineer can lead to confusion, miscommunication, and inefficiencies within a development team.

Suggestions for professionals looking to transition between the two roles:

For professionals looking to transition between the two roles, it’s important to assess your current skills and experience and determine what steps you need to take to acquire the necessary skills for the new role. This may involve taking courses or training programs, seeking out relevant experience or internships, or seeking guidance from mentors or professionals in the field. It’s also important to be open to learning and adapting as you make the transition, as the skills and knowledge required for these roles can change rapidly in the rapidly-evolving field of software development.