The twin ideas of software testing and software development, form two crucial pillars of the process of software development lifecycle. Historically, the two notions have been related to two separate domains which form an integral part of the whole process of the ultimate release of software. In this blog, we will try to understand the whole idea behind the position of a SDET Certification in an organization.

1. What is SDET?: The Role to Look
For

2. The twin ideas of software testing and software development,
form two crucial pillars of the process of software
development lifecycle. Historically, the two notions have been
related to two separate domains which form an integral part
of the whole process of the ultimate release of software.
However, in due course of time, the need for automation and
to increase reliability and efficiency resulted in the need to
adopt an intermediate position where the role of a tester and
a developer meet. This middle position is the answer to what
is SDET.
In this blog, we will try to understand the whole idea behind
the position of a SDET Certification in an organization. This
will be explained in terms of:

3. What is SDET?
Difference between SDET and TESTER
Why are SDET’s needed?
SDET Skills: Hard Skills/Soft Skills
Roles and Responsibilities of SDET
SDET Career: SDET Jobs Available
SDET Salary Expectations
Conclusion

4. What is SDET?
SDET is an acronym for Software Development/Design Engineer in Test. The position refers to an IT professional
who happens to be involved, both in the development as well as testing of the software. The role of a SDET can be
understood as an intermediate one, between a purely tester role and a purely developer role. SDETs are essentially
professionals who are skilled in Software Development as well as Quality Engineering. They not only participate in
developing and writing test scripts, but SDET testing also helps in fixing bugs as part of the process. Thus, they help
in replacing repetitive manual testing with automation.
There has been increasing realization that in order to provide for market responsiveness, it is important to abandon
the conventional division between the process of writing codes and that of testing its quality. This resulted in testers
participating in the process of code development right from the initial stage. These experts are assets for the
organizations as they can write as well as test codes and these professionals are known as Software Development
Engineers in Test (SDET).

5. Difference between SDET and TESTER
SDET Manual Tester
SDETs are involved in every stage of the software development process Testers are involved in only the testing stage of the software development process
They are professionals with skills in software development as well as testing They are professionals solely involved in executing test cases
SDETs can develop test automation tools Manual testers are not required to develop test automation frameworks or tools
The scope for SDET testing is quite wide as they focus on multiple testing types and
techniques: security, functional, non-functional, and so on
The testing scope for Testers is much narrow as they essentially focus on the functionality aspect of
the application
They remain concerned with white as well as black box testing They remain concerned with black box testing
SDETs generally command a higher salary than those who perform manual testing roles alone Manual testers command a lower salary; however, since many organization expect testers to run
tests as well as write test automation scripts, they are expected to continually upgrade their skills

6. Why are SDET’s needed?
There are some core features which must be in functional form, before the release of any product. This means that these
features are constant and in every sprint, some additional ones are added and thus the new as well as the existing
functionality must be tested every time. Given that agile development is fast paced; testers are often troubled by paucity of
time and are not in a position to test everything manually. However, when testers are not capable of writing automated
checks, they have no choice but to test everything manually. If this happens, testing becomes an important bottleneck which
results in unnecessary delay in the release of the product. Thus, recruitment of SDETs can be highly beneficial for the
organizations as it helps in automating much of the manual tasks and tests.
Want to be a SDET expert? Enroll for Syntax SDET Automation course Now!
Benefits of SDET professional:
These professionals possess expertise in direct dealing with customers. Moreover, apart from being a tester, they possess
engineering skills as well (SDET Engineer) and is thus able to think like a developer
In conducting SDET testing, they are able to automate tests by making use of their coding skills
They possess expertise in building, deploying, managing and executing applications individually
SDET skills are such that they are able to have a say within the design team, development team and program management
team on different issues which concern the end user

7. SDET Skills: Hard Skills/Soft Skills
A SDET job can be seen as a mixture of the right balance of technical skills and testing aptitude. As such, SDET skills would cover technical as well as non-technical
skills.
Soft/Non-technical skills
Adaptive: An open mindset is important for an SDET. This implies that they should be receptive to the needs of changing technology and should be willing to learn
new tools and scripting languages which would help them in performing SDET testing.
Great Communicator: SDETs should have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Since they are responsible for not only conducting tests, but also need to
produce bug reports and test strategies, it is important that they are easily understandable.
Exploratory aptitude: The mindset of a SDET should be such that he should be able to think of ways by which he could reduce the effort involved in the task by
developing strategies for automation.
Organization and time management skills: The SDET job is quite demanding and it is important that they should be able to manage workload efficiently, have time
management skills as well as high productivity.

8. Hard/Technical Skills
Knowledge of programming languages like Java, .NET, C# and others
Understanding of the different test methods and tools like Selenium WebDriver, MS Test, Test NG and so on
Ability to work with “AGILE + DevOps” process management methodology
Should be able to identify and detect thresholds and bottlenecks with the aid of automation tools
Idea of Behavior Driven Development
Knowledge of Object-Oriented Design
Roles and Responsibilities of SDET
As a SDET Engineer: Given that SDET possess engineering skills as well; they happen to be involved in data design,
product design as well as user interfaces
As a customer spokesperson: SDETs strive to understand the requirement for a product from the perspective of the
customer and since they are involved at every stage of its development, till its final release; they are the best advocate
who can justify the need of the software

9. SDET Career: SDET Jobs Available
The career path of a SDET can be understood to proceed in a given direction:
Junior SDET
Experience level (From fresher to 3 years)
Role: Responsible for creating automation test scripts, participating in bug analysis and writing test cases.
Senior SDET
Experience level (From 3 to 7 years)
Role: Responsible for working with different test automation frameworks, being involved in software architectural design, ensuring product scalability, striving for optimum software
performance, and so on.
SDET Manager
Experience level (From 7 to 10 years)
Role: Responsible for working in collaboration with Sr. SDET, the managing team and other departments.
Test Architect
Experience level (From 10 to 15 years)

10. SDET Salary Expectations
The salary structure for a SDET job varies from company to company and
region to region; however, on the whole, it is quite a lucrative career prospect
wherein SDETs are guaranteed of a handsome compensation package. The
average SDET salary in U.S.A is $117,000. Thus, the range is usually from
$90,000 to $140,000. Additionally, educational qualification, competencies,
certifications and years of experience, are also bound to have an impact on the
final package that a person receives.
Conclusion
In trying to know what is SDET; it is important to remember that their position
is quite unique. They possess the right blend of being a developer as well as a
tester. They have domain knowledge, participate in software designing, have
experience in coding and are customer advocates who are receptive to the
expectations of the end-users. We, at Syntax Technologies, provide you with an
outstanding opportunity to acquire expertise in the field of being a SDET.

11. Thank You