I'm interested in a SDET position and I'm wondering if the role is as respected as a SWE at Netflix. This role is the closest match to my skillset in terms of language, tools and libraries. I'm currently a hybrid engineer, meaning I develop new features and am also responsible for automation.
There's a guy on my team who is technically a SDET but there really isn't any difference between the work he does and the work the rest of us do. Within Netflix I can tell you that our SDETs are super skilled, don't know about the reputation outside of Netflix.
Thanks for your response. It's good to hear that SDETs are valued. I guess the underlying question would be if Netflix pays the two roles the same. On average, the former SDETs at Salesforce have a bad reputation for not being as technical as SWEs. Salesforce removed the distinct roles a few years ago. My concern is also how hard it would be to find a position after Netflix. I understand the culture memo says I can define my own title.
He/she didn't say they were valued. He/she just said they were super skilled.
Our SDETs are as technical as SWEs and are paid as such.
I've never personally or seen anyone treat a QA engineer as anything less than a fully valued member of the team. The pay is similar to SWE but may be slightly less, but that's going to vary based on personal skill.
An SDET at Netflix is still an SDET.
And what's wrong with that?