Software Engineer in Test (SDET) - Java (Backend)

Description

Software Engineer in Test (SDET) - Java (Backend)

Hybrid - Washington, DC

Job Summary

We're hiring a Software Engineer in Test (SDET) who can write automation code in Java and owns the full backend testing lifecycle for modern service-based systems. This role is 100% backend (no UI/front-end testing) and focuses on validating microservices and APIs running in a containerized environment. You'll work closely with engineering and product teams to identify risk early, build reliable automated coverage, and speak up when something isn't ready.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain Java-based automated tests for backend services and APIs.
• Execute and improve the end-to-end testing process (test planning, test execution, defect validation, regression).
• Test microservices and distributed systems, including service-to-service behavior and integration points.
• Validate REST APIs and troubleshoot issues through logs, debugging, and structured investigation.
• Support performance testing using Gatling; expand/maintain performance suites as needed.
• Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to raise concerns, communicate risk, and drive quality decisions.
• Work with internal tooling used for automation and testing (no required external framework experience-strong fundamentals matter most).
• Contribute to quality improvements across deployments and releases in Kubernetes environments.

Requirements

Required Skills / Must-Haves

• Strong Java skills (writing test automation code, not just manual QA).
• Solid understanding of backend testing processes and how to build effective test coverage.
• Experience testing REST APIs (requests, responses, payload validation, error handling).
• Working knowledge of microservices and distributed system concepts.
• Familiarity with Kubernetes (deployments, pods/services concepts; comfortable operating in a k8s environment).
• Ability to work in a hybrid setting in/near Washington, DC (preferred)
• Strong communication skills-vocal, asks questions, flags issues early.

Preferred / Nice-to-Haves

• Kotlin exposure (helpful, not required).
• Experience with Elasticsearch (querying, validation, debugging search-based behaviors).
• Experience validating or testing microservice deployments (release verification, smoke/regression in containerized environments).
• Additional tooling experience (CI/CD, test reporting, service observability) is a plus.

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