What Do Test Engineers Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for test engineers?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what test engineers do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Test Engineers Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about test engineers by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Test Engineers develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.
Popular Job Titles For Test Engineers
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Quality Assurance Analysts
- Quality Assurance Engineers
- Test Engineers
- Software Test Engineers
- Quality Assurance Automation Engineers
- Test Automation Engineers
- Quality Assurance Testers
- Quality Assurance Leads
- Automation Testers
- Software Quality Engineers
- Software Engineers in Test
- Software Quality Assurance Consultants
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for test engineers can be found.
Best Industries for Test Engineers
Test Engineers Jobs By Industry
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 33.1%
- Software Publishers: 9.9%
- Employment Services: 5.4%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 5.4%
- Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services: 4.4%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 3.4%
- Other: 38.4%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of test engineers can be found working in the Computer Systems Design and Related Services sector. In 2022, about 33.1% of all jobs for test engineers were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Software Publishers (9.9%), Employment Services (5.4%), Management of Companies and Enterprises (5.4%), Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services (4.4%) and Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (3.4%).
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Degree Options for Test Engineers
Develop the advanced technical skills needed to turn complex programming specifications into well-designed computer programs.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Do Test Engineers Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what test engineers do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work test engineers do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that test engineers tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for test engineers, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Test Engineers
Based on 150,346 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Test Engineers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | 65,643 | 44% |
| Test Automation | 62,409 | 42% |
| Test Planning | 51,595 | 34% |
| Agile Methodology | 48,141 | 32% |
| Computer Science | 39,513 | 26% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Test Engineers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Assurance | 66,965 | 45% |
| Communications | 56,983 | 38% |
| Quality Assurance | 55,056 | 37% |
| Management | 40,154 | 27% |
| Problem Solving | 32,917 | 22% |
Based on 150,346 job postings related to test engineers, automation was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 44% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for test automation, test planning, agile methodology, computer science and selenium (software) were also highly sought.
As for common skills, safety assurance was the most desired skill found in job postings for test engineers, followed by communications, quality assurance, management, problem solving and troubleshooting (problem solving).
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | 65,643 | 44% |
| Test Automation | 62,409 | 42% |
| Test Planning | 51,595 | 34% |
| Agile Methodology | 48,141 | 32% |
| Computer Science | 39,513 | 26% |
| Selenium (Software) | 32,335 | 22% |
| Software Testing | 31,515 | 21% |
| SQL (Programming Language) | 31,276 | 21% |
| Java (Programming Language) | 30,218 | 20% |
| JIRA | 26,709 | 18% |
| Software Quality (SQA/SQC) | 26,228 | 17% |
| Python (Programming Language) | 24,568 | 16% |
| Software Development | 22,721 | 15% |
| Scrum (Software Development) | 21,743 | 14% |
| Scripting | 20,974 | 14% |
| Application Programming Interface (API) | 20,826 | 14% |
| Test Engineering | 19,904 | 13% |
| Regression Testing | 19,485 | 13% |
| Project Management | 18,391 | 12% |
| JavaScript (Programming Language) | 16,409 | 11% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Assurance | 66,965 | 45% |
| Communications | 56,983 | 38% |
| Quality Assurance | 55,056 | 37% |
| Management | 40,154 | 27% |
| Problem Solving | 32,917 | 22% |
| Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) | 24,953 | 17% |
| Writing | 24,401 | 16% |
| Detail Oriented | 24,125 | 16% |
| Leadership | 23,750 | 16% |
| Planning | 21,979 | 15% |
| Operations | 19,679 | 13% |
| Self-Motivation | 15,212 | 10% |
| Customer Service | 15,179 | 10% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 14,946 | 10% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 12,344 | 8% |
| Microsoft Excel | 11,857 | 8% |
| Coordinating | 11,671 | 8% |
| Microsoft Office | 11,344 | 8% |
| Innovation | 11,183 | 7% |
| Research | 10,903 | 7% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Test Engineers
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assurance Analysts | 24,813 | 16.2% |
| Quality Assurance Engineers | 24,704 | 16.1% |
| Test Engineers | 12,286 | 8% |
| Software Test Engineers | 11,441 | 7.5% |
| Quality Assurance Automation Engineers | 12,763 | 8.3% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2021 and August 2022, the top job sought by employers was quality assurance analysts, with 10,821 unique job postings. Quality assurance engineers were second, with 5,382 postings, followed by test engineers, software test engineers and quality assurance automation engineers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to test engineers.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assurance Analysts | 24,813 | 16.2% |
| Quality Assurance Engineers | 24,704 | 16.1% |
| Test Engineers | 12,286 | 8% |
| Software Test Engineers | 11,441 | 7.5% |
| Quality Assurance Automation Engineers | 12,763 | 8.3% |
| Test Automation Engineers | 7,792 | 5.1% |
| Quality Assurance Testers | 7,098 | 4.6% |
| Quality Assurance Leads | 5,806 | 3.8% |
| Automation Testers | 5,054 | 3.3% |
| Software Quality Engineers | 7,036 | 4.6% |
| Software Engineers in Test | 5,371 | 3.5% |
| Software Quality Assurance Consultants | 6,249 | 4.1% |
| Quality Engineers | 3,324 | 2.2% |
| Software Testers | 4,966 | 3.2% |
| Test Leads | 2,509 | 1.6% |
| IT Quality Assurance Analysts | 2,656 | 1.7% |
| Software Test Automation Engineers | 2,524 | 1.6% |
| Performance Testers | 1,947 | 1.3% |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineers | 2,928 | 1.9% |
| Quality Assurance Testing Analysts | 2,222 | 1.4% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for test engineers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for test engineers.
How much do test engineers make?
Test Engineers: How do you become one?
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