What does a senior test engineer do?

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.
Senior test engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior test engineer resumes:
- Used python to automate post processing performance results and debugging logs.
- Participate in manual testing on UI enhancements and prepare the manual test cases to convert automation test scripts.
- Contribute in automation testing using python test scripts.
- Perform extensive functional, integration, regression and UI mobile testing in variety of mobile OEM devices.
- Develop and execute manual and automate test cases for UNIX base underwriting and pricing system across multiple environments and projects.
- Design automation framework from scratch with reusable methods using Java programming language.
- Automate Linux (RHEL, SuSE) server installs for the lab.
- Develop PL/SQL scripts to functionally test the business requirements involving new software update.
- Experience in data analysis using SQL, PL/SQL and many other queries base applications.
- Develop and execute LINUX system and feature software installation, upgrade, and robustness tests.
- Used JUnit to pass parameters and also to prioritize the test cases for test runs.
- Report XML generate by API calls for issues and error logs files by system to development team.
- Debug test failures of web services and API with the software development team to identify the root causes.
- Create STF test automation scripts in XML format with custom fixtures, using the STF framework in UNIX platform.
- Used JIRA as a test management tool to document automate test result also used SVN to centralize automation artifacts e.g.
Senior test engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Senior Test Engineers are proficient in Test Cases, Python, and Java.
We break down the percentage of Senior Test Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Test Cases, 6%
Test Cases and Scenarios in Quality Center based on the Functional Specifications Document and Business Requirements Document.
- Python, 6%
Automated Sanity Testing Features with Selenium Python as part of the Selenium Feasibility Study Project.
- Java, 5%
Automated testing and monitoring of Good Technology mobile client and Server websites using DeviceAnywhere, Java and Selenium.
- Test Results, 5%
Developed and implemented Intranet-based databases for sample tracking, result storage and dissemination of laboratory test results to internal customers.
- C++, 5%
Participated in the daily agile/scrum meeting Environment: HP Quality center, Share Point, MS Office, C#, C++
- C #, 5%
Executed Automated Test Scripts using Selenium RC and C #.
"test cases," "python," and "java" are among the most common skills that senior test engineers use at work. You can find even more senior test engineer responsibilities below, including:
The three companies that hire the most senior test engineers are:
- General Dynamics191 senior test engineers jobs
- General Dynamics Mission Systems
137 senior test engineers jobs
- Wolters Kluwer54 senior test engineers jobs
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Senior test engineer vs. Quality assurance team leader
A quality assurance (QA) team leader is an individual who is responsible for managing a team of engineers from the quality assurance department of an organization to participate in the overall QA planning and activities. QA team leaders are required to play the key role as a member of the project management team to ensure that the product exceeded user expectations. They must develop and implement QA processes and supervise daily QA activities to maximize quality and productivity. QA team leaders must also prepare and report audited results to the organization's site senior management.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, senior test engineer responsibilities require skills like "test cases," "python," "test equipment," and "rf." Meanwhile a typical quality assurance team leader has skills in areas such as "manual test cases," "selenium," "dev," and "project management." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Quality assurance team leaders earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $105,602. On the other hand, senior test engineers are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $104,711.The education levels that quality assurance team leaders earn slightly differ from senior test engineers. In particular, quality assurance team leaders are 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a senior test engineer. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior test engineer vs. Test analyst
The duties of a test analyst depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a test analyst is responsible for testing computer software or hardware to ensure its quality before being released in the market. They participate in the development process to monitor the product specifications, review and analyze documentation, and create test systems, implementing them promptly and efficiently. As a test analyst, it is essential to produce progress reports, prepare presentations, and even give recommendations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior test engineer responsibilities requires skills like "test cases," "python," "c++," and "c #." But a test analyst might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "test plan," "manual test cases," "selenium webdriver," and "data warehouse."
Test analysts may earn a lower salary than senior test engineers, but test analysts earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $74,197. On the other hand, senior test engineers receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $104,711.In general, test analysts achieve similar levels of education than senior test engineers. They're 2.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior test engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Senior test engineer vs. Senior quality assurance analyst
Senior quality assurance analysts are responsible for developing and implementing quality assurance standards within an organization. They collect and analyze data to reinforce proposed projects, systems requirements, and business cases. These will include writing scripts and test plans to monitor errors and fixes in product and software development, operational systems, and information systems. Besides, they are also responsible for several tasks, including preparing reports and recommendations, communicating with suppliers and vendors in assessing applications, and conducting internal audits.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior test engineers are more likely to have skills like "test cases," "python," "c++," and "test equipment." But a senior quality assurance analyst is more likely to have skills like "manual test cases," "data warehouse," "front end," and "hp alm."
Senior quality assurance analysts earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $99,710. Comparatively, senior test engineers have the highest earning potential in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $104,711.Most senior quality assurance analysts achieve a similar degree level compared to senior test engineers. For example, they're 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior test engineer vs. Senior quality analyst
A senior quality assurance analyst specializes in inspecting and assessing the quality of software and systems in a company, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include developing specific test structures, coordinating with different departments to gather data, troubleshooting, and studying client complaints to prevent issues from happening again. They may also perform regular maintenance checks, recommending solutions as needed. Furthermore, as a senior quality assurance analyst, it is essential to lead the quality assurance efforts on systems, all while serving as a mentor and role model to junior analysts.
Types of senior test engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











