SDET vs. Manual Tester vs. Automation Engineer

SDET vs. Manual Tester vs. Automation Engineer – Key Differences

Introduction

Testing is the backbone of software development, ensuring that applications function correctly. However, the roles within testing differ significantly—especially between a Manual Tester, Automation Engineer, and SDET. Let’s explore their differences.

Role Comparison

Role	Primary Focus	Required Skills
Manual Tester	Executes test cases manually	Test documentation, functional testing, defect reporting
Automation Engineer	Writes scripts to automate tests	Programming, automation tools, test execution
SDET	Develops and maintains automation frameworks	Coding, CI/CD, API testing, performance testing

Technical vs. Non-Technical Aspects

Manual Testers focus on user experience validation without coding.
Automation Engineers write scripts but don’t develop frameworks.
SDETs bridge the gap between development and testing by coding robust automation frameworks.

Conclusion

While all three roles contribute to software quality, an SDET brings a unique developer mindset to testing, making them highly valuable in modern Agile teams.

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