Software Development Engineer In Test

Productiv; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Productiv is seeking a proactive SDET to own quality across a dedicated pod, driving a modern automation-first QA strategy within the SDLC.

You will lead QA activities, define risk-based testing across API, integration, and end-to-end scenarios, and mentor engineers while integrating tests into CI/CD and AI-assisted tooling.

The role emphasizes collaboration with frontend/backend teams, stakeholders, and a culture of continuous improvement and high-delivery quality.

Qualifications

• Lead QA activities for a development pod delivering complex software.
• Define risk-based testing strategies across API, integration, functional, end-to-end, and non-functional areas.
• Adopt and champion AI-assisted automation to reduce repetitive work.
• Collaborate with frontend/backend engineers, product owners, and stakeholders to clarify requirements and prevent defects.

Responsibilities

• Own quality within the pod and embed QA throughout the SDLC.
• Define and implement automated tests and maintain them across frameworks.
• Ensure CI/CD pipelines include automated quality checks and tests.
• Communicate risks, coverage gaps, and release readiness with clear signals.
• Mentor team members and foster a collaborative, learning-oriented engineering culture.

Skills

QA leadership

APIs & integrations

Automation testing

CI/CD

AI-assisted testing

Collaboration

Tools

Cypress

Playwright

Pytest

GitHub Actions

Jira

Job description

About the role

We are seeking a proactive, technically strong, and collaborative SDET to own and drive quality engineering activities within a dedicated product development track (pod) delivering complex software solutions.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring the ability to independently define and execute a quality strategy, collaborate closely with developers and product stakeholders, and integrate quality practices throughout the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).

We are evolving beyond traditional, manual-heavy QA approaches toward AI-assisted, automation-first quality engineering. The ideal candidate is technically curious, adaptable, and excited about leveraging modern tools to improve software quality, accelerate delivery, and reduce repetitive work.

Key responsibilities

• Own quality within the pod: Lead and coordinate all QA activities for a dedicated development track, ensuring quality is embedded throughout the SDLC rather than treated as a final testing phase.
• Drive test strategy: Define risk-based testing approaches and appropriate coverage across API, integration, functional, end-to-end, and non-functional testing.
• Champion test automation: Design, develop, and maintain automated tests using modern frameworks and AI-assisted development tools.
• Collaborate across disciplines: Work closely with frontend and backend developers, product owners, and other stakeholders to identify risks, clarify requirements, and prevent defects early.
• Integrate quality into delivery: Ensure automated quality checks are incorporated into CI/CD pipelines and evolve alongside application changes.
• Provide quality visibility: Communicate risks, coverage gaps, testing outcomes, and release readiness using meaningful, actionable quality signals.
• Continuously improve: Identify bottlenecks, challenge inefficient processes, and introduce practical improvements that increase delivery speed without compromising quality.
• Lead by example: Promote shared ownership of quality, mentor team members when needed, and foster a collaborative, learning-oriented engineering culture.

Required qualifications

• Proven ability to independently lead QA activities for a development team delivering complex software applications
• Strong understanding of software architecture, APIs, integrations, and modern SDLC practices
• Practical programming experience in at least one language (Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Java, or similar)
• Hands-on experience with automated testing and familiarity with CI/CD pipelines
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools or demonstrated ability and enthusiasm to adopt them
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and technical troubleshooting skills
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills

Nice to have

• Experience with Cypress, Playwright, Pytest, or similar automation frameworks
• Experience testing distributed systems, microservices, and complex API integrations
• Familiarity with GitHub Actions, Jira, and modern development workflows
• Experience leveraging AI coding assistants to accelerate test development and maintenance
• Experience with performance testing, observability, or production quality analysis

All our positions are Remote and are available as Full Time Employment or B2B Contracts