Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between senior test engineers and senior systems software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a senior test engineer and a senior systems software engineer. Additionally, a senior systems software engineer has an average salary of $122,275, which is higher than the $82,775 average annual salary of a senior test engineer.
The top three skills for a senior test engineer include test cases, python and java. The most important skills for a senior systems software engineer are python, java, and software development.
| Senior Test Engineer | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,775 | $122,275 |
| Hourly rate | $39.80 | $58.79 |
| Growth rate | - | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 245,814 | 359,248 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A senior test engineer is an individual who is responsible for developing and implementing cost-effective methods of testing and troubleshooting computer systems and equipment. Senior test engineers must assist junior engineers in developing test plans and conducting testing activities on complex systems to meet program requirements. They aid in the areas of predictability, manufacturing processing, and improvement in the equipment and process. Senior test engineers must also develop proposal inputs and reviews documents generated by junior engineers.
A senior systems software engineer is an individual responsible for managing a firm's computer network systems. The professional's roles include resolving complex application and network issues through the development of new solutions, overseeing systems developers and other information technology (IT) personnel, and integrating new technology. The job requires proficiency in the MySQL, Python, and Linux programming languages and excellent skills in organizational and time management and communication. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
Senior test engineers and senior systems software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Test Engineer | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,775 | $122,275 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $107,000 | Between $91,000 And $163,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Netflix | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior test engineer and a senior systems software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Test Engineer | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between senior test engineers' and senior systems software engineers' demographics:
| Senior Test Engineer | Senior Systems Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9% | Male, 85.5% Female, 14.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |