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What is a software test engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Frank McCown Ph.D.,
John Russo
introduction image

A software test engineer is an individual responsible for designing and executing tests on software programs to identify and resolve any defects or bugs. They work closely with developers to ensure that software products meet the required quality standards. Their role is to ensure that software applications are functional, user-friendly, and free of errors before they are released to the public. They use different testing techniques and tools to evaluate software applications.

What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?

F

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

The market is stable for software developers, despite the economic challenges created by the pandemic. Before accepting a job offer, talk to the company's employees through online meetings or email, and see what they think of the company. Do they enjoy their work? Are there opportunities to learn new technologies? How does the company treat their employees? There's a good chance you will be working remotely in your first job, so you will need to exercise a lot of self-discipline, be punctual for online meetings, do the work you've been assigned, and know when to ask questions when you get stuck. Expect a steeper-than-normal learning curve if you are working remotely instead of in an office.
ScoreSoftware Test EngineerUS Average
Salary
6.7

Avg. Salary $85,338

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
4.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 31.45%

male 68.55%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress Level
5.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.1

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.0

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Software Test Engineer?

Pros

  • Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology

  • High demand for skilled software test engineers

  • Potential for remote work or flexible schedules

  • High job satisfaction from ensuring product quality

  • Competitive salary and benefits packages

Cons

  • Long hours and tight deadlines

  • Tedious and repetitive tasks during testing cycles

  • Pressure to find all defects before product release

  • Often requires working overtime or weekends to meet deadlines

  • Can be stressful when dealing with difficult defects or issues

Software Test Engineer career paths

Key steps to become a software test engineer

  1. Explore software test engineer education requirements

    Most common software test engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    70.3 %

    Master's

    17.5 %

    Associate

    8.3 %

  2. Start to develop specific software test engineer skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    		Percentages
    ascdesc
    Python8.96%
    Java7.29%
    Test Automation5.78%
    C++5.64%
    C #5.64%
    Show more

  3. Complete relevant software test engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New software test engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a software test engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real software test engineer resumes.

  4. Research software test engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Balance risk, regulatory impact and business needs to achieve efficient and effective solutions for QC process improvement.
    • Manage entire Linux virtual machine farm utilizing KVM and Virt-Manager
    • Manage test case defect management reporting utilizing JIRA and Bugzilla
    • Develop UI automation test infrastructure using python and selenium.

  5. Prepare your software test engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your software test engineer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a software test engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Software Test Engineer Resume templates

    Build a professional Software Test Engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Software Test Engineer resume.
    Software Test Engineer Resume
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    Software Test Engineer Resume
    Software Test Engineer Resume
    Software Test Engineer Resume
    Software Test Engineer Resume
    Software Test Engineer Resume
    Software Test Engineer Resume

  6. Apply for software test engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a software test engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Software Test Engineer Job

Zippi

Are you a Software Test Engineer?

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Average software test engineer salary

The average Software Test Engineer salary in the United States is $85,338 per year or $41 per hour. Software test engineer salaries range between $63,000 and $115,000 per year.

Average Software Test Engineer Salary
$85,338 Yearly
$41.03 hourly
More software test engineer salary info

What Am I Worth?

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How do software test engineers rate their job?

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Software Test Engineer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Pros

Problem solving and cutting edge technology - always learning and evolving my skill set

Cons

Still have to deal with people :)

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I enjoyed working on creative problems that dealt with the user interface

Cons

I didn't like how technical it could become

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

Working with technology.

Cons

Automated testing is more in demand than manual testing.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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