Back to jobs
tags.new

Sr. Software Engineer in Test

Sunnyvale, CA

At Yugabyte, we are on a mission to become the default transactional database for enterprises building cloud-native applications. YugabyteDB is our PostgreSQL-compatible distributed database for cloud-native apps. Resilient, scalable, and flexible, it runs on any cloud and enables developers to become instantly productive using well-known APIs.We are looking for talented and driven people to join us on our ambitious mission and help us build a lasting and impactful company.The transactional database market is estimated to grow to $64B by 2025. YugabyteDB is cloud-native by design, has on-demand horizontal scalability, and supports geographical distribution of data using built-in replication. This means that we are well-positioned to meet market demand for geo-distributed, high-scale, high-performance workloads.

Join the Database Revolution at Yugabyte.

Modern applications need a cloud-native database that eliminates tradeoffs and silos. YugabyteDB retains the power and familiarity of PostgreSQL by pairing its trusted API with a precision-engineered, distributed, cloud-native architecture. Even better, it’s 100% open source. Many of the world's leading enterprises are migrating from legacy RDBMSs (like Oracle, SQL Server, and DB2) to YugabyteDB, to meet their mission-critical app demands.

At Yugabyte, we are on a mission to become the default transactional database for enterprises building cloud-native applications. YugabyteDB is our PostgreSQL-compatible distributed database for cloud-native apps. Resilient, scalable, and flexible, it runs on any cloud and enables developers to become instantly productive using well-known APIs.

We are looking for talented and driven people to join us on our ambitious mission and help us build a lasting and impactful company.

The transactional database market is estimated to be $64B by 2025. YugabyteDB is cloud-native by design, has on-demand horizontal scalability, and supports geographical distribution of data using built-in replication. This means that we are well-positioned to meet market demand for geo-distributed, high-scale, high-performance workloads. Join the Database Revolution at Yugabyte.

Modern applications need a cloud-native database that eliminates tradeoffs and silos. YugabyteDB retains the power and familiarity of PostgreSQL by pairing its trusted API with a precision-engineered, distributed, cloud-native architecture. Even better, it’s 100% open source. Many of the world's leading enterprises are migrating from legacy RDBMSs (like Oracle, SQL Server, and DB2) to YugabyteDB, to meet their mission-critical app demands.

Team

The Database QA team is where distributed systems theory meets real-world chaos. We own the end-to-end quality of YugabyteDB, rigorously validating everything from core storage and language layers (YSQL/YCQL) to high-impact features like Change Data Capture. By blending performance engineering with system-level stress testing, we ensure our database thrives in the most unpredictable production environments. We are the champions of correctness in a distributed world.

Role

Are you obsessed with finding the 'impossible' bug? In this role, you will build and break distributed systems at scale. As an SDET at Yugabyte, you will design sophisticated automation and chaos-testing frameworks that simulate real-world disasters to validate our database’s core promises. You’ll dive deep into cross-feature integration and security, collaborating with development teams to influence the product's evolution. We’re looking for a technical leader who can transform complex customer scenarios into rigorous stress tests, ensuring YugabyteDB remains the gold standard for distributed SQL.

 

Responsibilities

  • Architect, develop and maintain test automation frameworks. 
  • Design and execute comprehensive test suites focusing on the "hard problems" of distributed databases: stress, resiliency, scalability, and performance.
  • Design and orchestrate distributed systems tests that simulate real-world failure modes.
  • Own the end-to-end quality of major features, from initial design review and test planning to production-ready automation
  • Modernize existing test footprints by identifying opportunities for redesign, improved efficiency, and higher stability in CI/CD pipelines.
  • Uncover deep-seated bugs such as data corruption and consistency violations.
  • Deep-dive into the codebase to understand technical dependencies and execution paths, ensuring tests target the most critical logic.
  • Scale our test infrastructure, ensuring that the built tests scale with our growing feature set.
  • Define and inspire changes to our product with our development engineering team based on feedback from tests and customer issues.
  • Act as a technical lead for junior engineers and serve as an internal advocate for the customer experience.
  • Develop and contribute to internal and external knowledge bases. Be a champion for our customers.
  • Go above and beyond to ensure customers are getting the most out of their investment in the Yugabyte database.



Requirements

  • 5–8 years of experience in Software Development in Test (SDET) or Systems Engineering, with a BS/MS in Computer Science or a related field.
  • Strong foundation in Distributed Systems: Deep understanding of distributed architecture, including consistency models (linearizability, serializability), the CAP theorem, and consensus protocols (Raft).
  • Database Internals Expertise: Highly desirable knowledge of query processing, transactions (ACID), recovery logs, and concurrent B-tree access.
  • Proficient in Data Structures and Concurrent Programming. Must be comfortable reading and navigating the complex C++ codebase to identify potential failure points.
  • Working knowledge of SQL, Python and Java programming languages. 
  • Sound understanding of JDBC APIs and database connectivity.
  • Hands-on experience with Linux, shell scripting, Git, and architecting scalable CI/CD pipelines 
  • Ability to leverage generative AI and LLM-based coding assistants to accelerate the authoring, refactoring, and optimization of complex test suites.
  • Exceptional troubleshooting skills with a "break-it" mindset; ability to trace issues from high-level test failures down to the code level for both internal and customer-reported bugs.
  • A proven track record of identifying complex bugs, specifically data corruption and consistency issues.

We feel strongly about equal pay for equal work, and transparency in compensation is one way to help achieve that. The cash compensation for this role is market competitive, with a range of USD 150,000 - USD 180,000, inclusive of variable/incentive for some roles. As well as equity (when applicable), and benefits including health plans, retirement plans, and unlimited paid time off (PTO). The pay range for this position is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. The actual pay will vary based on factors including experience, qualifications, and skill level.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

As an equal opportunity employer, Yugabyte is committed to a diverse workforce. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws.

#LI-Hybrid

Due to the Proclamation, “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers”, which went into effect on September 21, 2025, at this time we are no longer able to sponsor new H-1B visa petitions filed after September 21, 2025 for new hires. We are still able to consider candidates who require H-1B extensions, changes of employer, or other types of work authorization.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
As an equal opportunity employer, Yugabyte is committed to a diverse workforce. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. 
 
To review Yugabyte's Privacy Policy please visit Yugabyte Privacy Notice.

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at YugabyteDB? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Education

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in YugabyteDB’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.