“Software Testers do Not Make Software; They only Make it Better”
The SDET Full Form: Software Development Engineer in Test is an explanation of the multiple roles and responsibilities that an SDET is expected to execute in his professional position. In that sense, the above quote which states that Testers only make software products better by testing it; is definitely proved wrong.
SDETs are one such category of professionals who make as well as break software. This implies that SDETs are positioned somewhere in the middle of a developer and a tester. The SDET Full Form is an expansion of his role as one who writes test codes as well as is involved in the software testing phase of the Software Development Life Cycle.
SDET Full Form: Who are SDETs?
The Full Form of SDET is Software Development Engineer in Test. The SDET Full Form is in itself reflective of the multiple roles that SDETs are expected to assume within a business organization. They happen to be IT professionals who occupy an intermediate position between a developer and a tester.
Not only do they develop and write test codes and scripts, but also test them in the pursuit of fixing bugs as part of the process. The SDET Full Form: Software Development Engineer in Test is reflective of their expertise in the field of Software Development as well as Quality Engineering.

Since SDETs occupy a middle position between a tester and a developer; it is quite natural to consider them as being more close to developers or testers, respectively. However, the SDET Full Form: Software Development Engineer in Test is indicative of an equidistant position of SDETs from developers as well as testers.
SDETs do possess knowledge of programming languages which help them build automation scripts and perform test automation. However, the role of a developer is much more than that. Apart from possessing knowledge of programming languages, developers are also responsible for building the test automation framework, test automation tools and features of a software.
Similarly, SDETs are not entirely akin to testers as well. Their difference with Manual Testers shall be elaborated in the sections below; however, the demarcating line between a SDET and an Automated Tester is all the more blurred and quite overlapping.
The only difference between the two would stem from the fact that a SDET can be considered to be more close to a developer than an automated tester. This implies that SDETs can write unit tests, write and review test data and codes as well as understand the internal structure of an application and the coverage of the test.
On the other hand, Automated Testers can also write codes which can help test an application. However, they are not really acquainted with the way in which the software is built.
SDET Role Full Form: Utility within Business Organizations
The shift towards the Agile process methodology which happens to be fast paced, necessitated the need to test everything within a short span of time. Thus, in order to maintain market responsiveness, there was an increasing realization that it was important to discard the conventional division between the process of writing codes and that of testing its quality.
It became imperative to involve Automated Testers who will be able to write automated checks and will be able to overcome the delays associated with Manual Testing. The involvement of SDETs in the workforce helped to solve this issue as they could participate in the process of code development, right from the initial stages, and not only write, but also test those codes.
Consequently, the SDET Full Form would hint at IT professionals who are definitely priceless assets for business organizations.

Given the significant contribution that SDETs are capable of making towards the productivity and efficiency of business organizations; they happen to be in high demand. Moreover, their rising requirement has accelerated the shift from the position of QA to that of SDETs. If you wish to read more on how to initiate this transition, do read our blog on, “How to Move from being QA to SDET?”
Furthermore, the presence of manifold opportunities for SDETs within the tech world implies that they are guaranteed a handsome remuneration package. The average SDET salary in the U.S.A is $117,000. Thus, the range is usually from $90,000 to $140,000.
Additionally, educational qualification, competencies, certifications and years of experience, are also bound to have an impact on the final package that a person receives.