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
- Test Engineers
- Quality Assurance Analysts
- Quality Assurance Automation Engineers
- Test Automation Engineers
- Quality Assurance Engineers
- Quality Assurance Testers
- Automation Testers
- Software Quality Engineers
- Software Quality Assurance Consultants
- Software Development Engineers in Test
- Software Testers
- Performance Testers
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: 29.8%
- Software Publishers: 10.7%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 5.2%
- Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services: 4.8%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 4.8%
- Employment Services: 4.6%
- Other: 40.1%
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 2023, about 29.8% of all jobs for test engineers were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Software Publishers (10.7%), Management of Companies and Enterprises (5.2%), Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services (4.8%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (4.8%) and Employment Services (4.6%).
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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 61,142 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Test Engineers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | 28,989 | 47% |
| Test Automation | 26,592 | 43% |
| Test Planning | 22,964 | 38% |
| Agile Methodology | 19,692 | 32% |
| Computer Science | 17,951 | 29% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Test Engineers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Assurance | 23,101 | 38% |
| Communication | 23,045 | 38% |
| Quality Assurance | 16,598 | 27% |
| Management | 14,900 | 24% |
| Problem Solving | 13,438 | 22% |
Based on 61,142 job postings related to test engineers, automation was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 47% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for test automation, test planning, agile methodology, computer science and software testing were also highly sought.
As for common skills, safety assurance was the most desired skill found in job postings for test engineers, followed by communication, quality assurance, management, problem solving and troubleshooting (problem solving).
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | 28,989 | 47% |
| Test Automation | 26,592 | 43% |
| Test Planning | 22,964 | 38% |
| Agile Methodology | 19,692 | 32% |
| Computer Science | 17,951 | 29% |
| Software Testing | 14,189 | 23% |
| Python (Programming Language) | 13,150 | 22% |
| Selenium (Software) | 13,097 | 21% |
| Java (Programming Language) | 13,000 | 21% |
| SQL (Programming Language) | 12,411 | 20% |
| Software Quality (SQA/SQC) | 12,194 | 20% |
| JIRA | 10,889 | 18% |
| Software Development | 10,482 | 17% |
| Test Engineering | 9,606 | 16% |
| Scripting | 8,926 | 15% |
| Scrum (Software Development) | 8,830 | 14% |
| Application Programming Interface (API) | 8,751 | 14% |
| Regression Testing | 8,644 | 14% |
| Debugging | 7,543 | 12% |
| Project Management | 7,460 | 12% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Assurance | 23,101 | 38% |
| Communication | 23,045 | 38% |
| Quality Assurance | 16,598 | 27% |
| Management | 14,900 | 24% |
| Problem Solving | 13,438 | 22% |
| Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) | 11,525 | 19% |
| Planning | 9,111 | 15% |
| Detail Oriented | 9,076 | 15% |
| Writing | 8,681 | 14% |
| Leadership | 8,127 | 13% |
| Operations | 7,384 | 12% |
| Self-Motivation | 5,835 | 10% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 5,488 | 9% |
| Coordinating | 5,413 | 9% |
| Customer Service | 5,342 | 9% |
| Research | 4,890 | 8% |
| Microsoft Excel | 4,858 | 8% |
| Information Technology | 4,681 | 8% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 4,525 | 7% |
| Innovation | 4,241 | 7% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Test Engineers
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Test Engineers | 6,538 | 13.4% |
| Quality Assurance Analysts | 4,227 | 8.7% |
| Quality Assurance Automation Engineers | 4,243 | 8.7% |
| Test Automation Engineers | 3,200 | 6.6% |
| Quality Assurance Engineers | 3,600 | 7.4% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was test engineers, with 3,145 unique job postings. Quality assurance analysts were second, with 1,962 postings, followed by quality assurance automation engineers, test automation engineers and quality assurance engineers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to test engineers.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Test Engineers | 6,538 | 13.4% |
| Quality Assurance Analysts | 4,227 | 8.7% |
| Quality Assurance Automation Engineers | 4,243 | 8.7% |
| Test Automation Engineers | 3,200 | 6.6% |
| Quality Assurance Engineers | 3,600 | 7.4% |
| Quality Assurance Testers | 2,876 | 5.9% |
| Automation Testers | 2,339 | 4.8% |
| Software Quality Engineers | 3,574 | 7.3% |
| Software Quality Assurance Consultants | 2,564 | 5.3% |
| Software Development Engineers in Test | 1,695 | 3.5% |
| Software Testers | 2,006 | 4.1% |
| Performance Testers | 1,161 | 2.4% |
| Test Administrators | 2,073 | 4.3% |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineers | 1,371 | 2.8% |
| Validation Engineers | 1,084 | 2.2% |
| Automation Specialists | 1,810 | 3.7% |
| Software Quality Assurance Testers | 1,190 | 2.4% |
| Software Test Automation Engineers | 1,093 | 2.2% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts | 1,004 | 2.1% |
| Quality Assurance Specialists | 1,044 | 2.1% |
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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