Senior Software Development Engineer

Senior Software Development Engineer | Chicago, Illinois, United States Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) - Contract | Chicago, IL About the Role: Join a fast-paced, collaborative team as a Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) and play a key role in ensuring the quality and reliability of mission-critical software products. As a senior team member, you'll lead automation efforts, coach junior team members, and drive continuous improvements in both process and technology. This is an exciting contract opportunity offering exposure to cutting-edge technologies, the chance to influence testing standards, and the ability to make a measurable impact on product quality. Responsibilities: - Collaborate closely with product, design, and engineering teams to interpret business requirements and assess risk - Develop, execute, and maintain comprehensive test plans and automated scripts to ensure product quality - Analyze test outcomes, identify defects, and report findings following defined best practices - Build, maintain, and enhance automation frameworks and libraries (Java, Groovy, Kotlin) - Conduct code reviews to enforce object-oriented design principles and maintain clean, extensible automation code - Mentor and coach QAs/SDETs in setting up test environments and managing test data - Champion quality assurance measures and testing standards for assigned features - Design, implement, and maintain CI/CD pipelines for automated testing (Jenkins, Azure) - Perform cross-browser and cross-platform testing for web and mobile apps using leading tools - Troubleshoot issues by searching system logs and using ad hoc tools (e.g., Splunk) - Communicate test progress, results, and quality metrics across teams - Continuously drive innovation and improvement in test coverage and reliability Required Skills and Experience: - 5+ years as an SDET supporting major application integrations or product releases - Hands-on expertise with Java, Groovy, test automation frameworks, Selenium/Appium - Strong experience with REST/SOAP API testing using tools like SoapUI, Postman - Proficient with version control systems (Git, Subversion) - Solid understanding of web technologies: XML, JS, CSS, HTML - Experience with CI/CD tools (Jenkins, Azure) - Skilled in cross-browser/cross-platform testing (SauceLabs or similar) - Strong defect documentation and troubleshooting skills (Splunk or similar) - Proven ability to mentor and coach junior team members - Excellent written and verbal communication skills Preferred Skills: - Experience working in highly regulated industries - Exposure to physical device testing - Familiarity with additional automation languages or frameworks Benefits: - Opportunity to work with a talented, collaborative team on innovative projects - Develop leadership skills by mentoring and coaching others - Exposure to a modern tech stack and best-in-class automation tools - Flexible work arrangements (remote applicants welcome) - Gain valuable experience with enterprise-grade CI/CD and automation practices How to Apply: Ready to take your SDET career to the next level? Submit your updated resume highlighting relevant test automation and leadership experience. Qualified applicants will be contacted for a virtual interview. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.