Hey devs! 👋
Been thinking about transitioning to SDET? Or maybe you're curious about what SDETs actually do beyond "testing stuff"? I recently deep-dived into this topic after reading an insightful guide from TestLeaf - SDET Role, Responsibilities, and Salary Comparison, and here's my breakdown of the SDET landscape.
What Actually Is an SDET? 🤔
Forget the "tester who codes" stereotype. SDETs are hybrid engineers who:
Build automation frameworks from scratch
Integrate testing into CI/CD pipelines
Debug performance bottlenecks
Collaborate directly with dev teams on architecture decisions
It's essentially software engineering with a quality-first mindset.
The Salary Reality 💰
Here's the data that caught my attention:
India 🇮🇳
Junior: ₹5-7 LPA
Mid-level: ₹8-15 LPA
Senior: ₹20+ LPA
US 🇺🇸
Junior: $70K-90K
Mid-level: $100K-120K
Senior: $150K+
UK 🇬🇧
Junior: £30K-40K
Mid-level: £50K-70K
Senior: £80K-100K
My Take on Career Progression 📈
What I love about the SDET path is the vertical growth:
SDET → Lead SDET → Test Architect → Director of Quality Engineering
Each level adds strategic thinking to technical execution. You're not just automating tests; you're architecting quality systems.
Skills That Actually Matter 🛠️
From what I've observed:
Programming: Java/Python/C# (obviously)
DevOps mindset: CI/CD, containerization
Performance testing: Beyond functional automation
Communication: You're bridging dev and QA teams
Getting Started 🎯
If you're considering this path, upskilling through a software testing course in chennai or exploring software testing course online options can provide structured learning. But honestly, hands-on practice with automation frameworks is where you'll learn the most.
Bottom Line
SDET roles are exploding because companies finally understand that quality isn't just a phase—it's a culture. The blend of development skills with testing mindset creates unique value that's hard to replicate.
What's your experience with SDET roles? Drop your thoughts below!
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