Software Engineer in Test - Contractor Department: Information Technology Employment Type: Contract Location: US-California-San Jose Description This position is ideal for software quality professionals who are passionate about test automation, software quality, and continuous improvement. As a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) within the Software Quality Assurance (SQA) team, you will develop and maintain API-level automated tests and the supporting test infrastructure used to validate product quality. Partnering closely with software developers and quality engineers, you will help ensure reliable product delivery through automation, testability analysis, and continuous validation of system functionality. This role is critical in maintaining product quality and enabling efficient software development practices. Role expectations • Develop, execute, and maintain API and UI level automated tests for assigned development teams. • Design and support test frameworks, tools, and environments used for automated testing. • Collaborate closely with software developers and SQA engineers to identify quality risks and improve test coverage. • Analyze product requirements and verify features for testability during the development lifecycle. • Investigate, document, and report software defects, and partner with engineering teams to drive resolution. • Participate in code reviews to ensure software quality, maintainability, and adherence to engineering standards. • Support configuration, maintenance, and enhancement of testing infrastructure as needed. • Participate in sprint reviews, demos, and other Agile development activities. • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, efficiency, and team effectiveness. • Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned. What we're looking for • Education: Bachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. • Experience: 3+ years of experience in software testing, software development, or a related technical discipline. • Programming Skills: Experience with Python programming and automation development. • Software Engineering Fundamentals: Understanding of object-oriented programming principles, software design concepts, and basic algorithms. • Testing foundational: Proven experience with different testing techniques, which include manual, automated and not-functional testing. • Analytical Thinking: Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze requirements, identify risks, and troubleshoot issues. • Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders. • Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional Agile environment. Complementary skills • Familiarity with API testing methodologies and automation frameworks. • Experience working with development and quality tools such as Jira, Bamboo, and Git. • Knowledge of CI/CD processes and automated testing best practices. • Exposure to test environment management and infrastructure configuration. • Familiarity with leveraging AI tools for test case generation, code reviews, defect analysis, documentation, and workflow automation. • Passion for learning new technologies and continuously improving software quality practices.