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What is a senior software engineer/senior tester and how to become one
A senior software engineer/senior tester is responsible for designing, developing, and testing software systems. They work with teams of developers to create software solutions that meet the needs of their clients. Senior software engineers/senior testers are experienced professionals with a deep understanding of coding languages, software development methodologies, and testing processes. They provide guidance to team members and are responsible for ensuring that software systems meet quality standards.
What general advice would you give to a senior software engineer/senior tester?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Avg. Salary $110,616
Avg. Salary $59,228
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%
Genderfemale 31.41%
male 68.59%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a senior software engineer/senior tester?
Pros
High salary
Job security
Opportunities for remote work
Opportunity to work on challenging and innovative projects
Opportunities for career growth
Cons
High stress levels due to pressure to deliver high-quality code
Long hours often including weekends and holidays, especially when approaching deadlines
Limited work-life balance and potential for burnout
May be required to work on legacy systems that are difficult to maintain or upgrade
Risk of replacement by less experienced engineers willing to work for lower salaries
Senior software engineer/senior tester career paths
Key steps to become a senior software engineer/senior tester
Explore senior software engineer/senior tester education requirements
Start to develop specific senior software engineer/senior tester skills
Skills Percentages Java 8.71% Python 7.97% Test Automation 7.24% C++ 4.96% C # 4.96% Complete relevant senior software engineer/senior tester training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior software engineers/senior tester 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 senior software engineer/senior tester based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior software engineer/senior tester resumes.Research senior software engineer/senior tester duties and responsibilities
- Monitor and manage source code in visual studio and git.
- Train the leads on how to develop, create, and maintain comprehensive test plans for assign applications (JIRA).
- Modify and maintain legacy Perl and python test scripts.
- Involve in creating FDA compliant documentation and ensure compliance with FDA, CGP and ISO standards.
Get senior software engineer/senior tester experience
Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a senior software engineer/senior tester. The most common roles before becoming a senior software engineer/senior tester include software test engineer, software engineer team lead and quality assurance engineer.Prepare your senior software engineer/senior tester resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior software engineer/senior tester resume.
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Apply for senior software engineer/senior tester jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a senior software engineer/senior tester job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first senior software engineer/senior tester job
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Average senior software engineer/senior tester salary
The average senior software engineer/senior tester salary in the United States is $110,616 per year or $53 per hour. Senior software engineer/senior tester salaries range between $85,000 and $143,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do senior software engineers/senior tester rate their job?
Senior software engineer/senior tester reviews
Problem solving and cutting edge technology - always learning and evolving my skill set
Still have to deal with people :)
I like testing because it can be interesting. Things can change but also stay the same. I like routine but not repetition doing the same thing. Testing isn't the best job but a good job.
Some things you test can be really picky to pass. It's likely they will always fail the first time. Some test seem to always pass and seek insufficient. I always look at productivity but also efficiency. So if not necessary by customer and always passes I can't see why a part of the test he removed especially if another part of the test will fail if it does. Options I am always open to.
I enjoyed working on creative problems that dealt with the user interface
I didn't like how technical it could become
Updated January 8, 2025
