AI SDET Job Charlotte area,North Carolina USA,Software Development

Overview

We are looking to add a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to a high-performing AI product team. This is not a traditional QA role-we need a developer-minded engineer who can build automated testing frameworks from scratch and take ownership of quality engineering across a technical, AI-driven platform.

This is a greenfield testing environment, so the right candidate will be excited by the opportunity to define and build the testing strategy and infrastructure.

What We're Looking For

Developer-first mindset (not a manual QA tester)
Strong interest in automation, quality engineering, and testing systems
Comfortable working in a highly technical, AI-based product environment
Someone who can figure things out without pre-existing frameworks

Core Responsibilities

Design and build automated testing frameworks from scratch
Develop and maintain Python-based test automation
Partner closely with engineers to:
- Understand how the application is supposed to work
- Validate behavior and identify failure modes
Test AI-driven functionality, including:
- Prompt-based workflows
- Output validation and edge cases
Help define the overall testing strategy and best practices for the team

Required Skills

Strong Python experience (must-have)
Experience building automated test frameworks
Background as a developer or SDET (not just QA)
Ability to:
- Write code confidently
- Work in an unstructured / greenfield environment
Strong communication skills:
- Must be able to understand application behavior and validate outcomes effectively

Nice to Have

Experience testing React-based front-end applications
Familiarity with AI/LLM ecosystems:
- General understanding of LLMs, prompts, and AI workflows
- Exposure to tools like Lang Chain / Lang Graph
Cloud experience (helpful but not required)

What Success Looks Like

Builds a scalable testing framework from the ground up
Becomes a key contributor in ensuring product quality and reliability
Helps the team better understand and test AI-specific behaviors and risks
Acts as a strong partner to engineering (not a downstream QA function)

Notes for Recruiting

Do not target traditional QA testers
Prioritize:
- SDET profiles
- Developers who moved into testing/automation
Look for candidates who are:
- Comfortable building frameworks from scratch
- Interested in AI-driven systems (even at a basic familiarity level)
Communication skills are critical (use J as the benchmark profile)