Sr. Software Development Engineer in Test; SDET - Confidential Computing Mgr in Santa Clara

Job Description

We’re looking for a Senior SDET who goes beyond testing to engineer solutions that surface and resolve issues before they reach production. If you think like an engineer first, write production-quality code, and love digging into distributed systems, security, and low-level system behavior—this is your role.

Bay Area (Hybrid/Onsite)

What You’ll Do

• Build, not script
  :
  Design and develop scalable, maintainable automated test systems for APIs, services, and UI
• Own quality end-to-end
  :
  From test strategy → frameworks → execution → release confidence
• Break things intelligently
  :
  Identify edge cases, failure modes, and security gaps across distributed systems
• Go beyond black-box testing
  :
  Validate system behavior at multiple layers—API, infra, and (ideally) OS-level
• Engineer test frameworks that validate:
  • Functionality
  • Performance
  • Reliability
  • Security (not optional here)
• Partner deeply with engineers to influence design, not just validate it
• Drive CI/CD quality gates and release readiness across the platform
• Debug real systems
  :
  Work cross-functionally to root-cause issues (not just report them)
• Continuously evolve testing practices in a fast-moving security + AI environment

What You Bring

• 6+ years as an SDET (or SWE with strong testing ownership)
• You write real code (not just test scripts) in like Python, Go, Java, or C++
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, APIs, and backend services
• Experience building or extending test frameworks from scratch
• Hands‑on experience with:
  • CI/CD pipelines
  • Cloud environments (AWS, GCP, or Azure)
  • Containers (Docker/Kubernetes)
• Solid grasp of security fundamentals (auth, encryption, attack surfaces, etc.)
• Ability to debug complex systems and identify root causes

• Experience with Rust
• Exposure to Confidential Computing (SGX, SEV, Nitro, etc.)
• Systems-level knowledge (Linux internals, kernel, networking)
• Background in security or adversarial testing

• You think like a builder
  , not a QA gatekeeper
• You’re skeptical in the best way—you assume things will break
• You care about performance, scale, and security
  , not just correctness
• You’re comfortable going deep technically and pushing engineers (in a good way)
• You take pride in preventing issues—not just finding them

• We offer a collaborative work environment, amazing equity, great benefits, competitive salary.
• Unlimited PTO (it’s between you and your work!)
• 40 hours of Volunteer Time Off/year
• Internet stipend
• Friendly culture that brings the best out of everybody
• 401k

Fortanix is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace with equal opportunity for all applicants and teammates. Our goal is to recruit the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status. If you’re interested in working in a fast growing, exciting working environment – we encourage you to apply!

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.

For this role, candidates must have a minimum of 24 months of current U.S. work authorization remaining without the need for employer sponsorship.

We are able to support H‑1B transfers for candidates already in H‑1B status and may consider sponsorship for candidates currently in the United States on F‑1 or J‑1 status. We are not initiating new visa sponsor ships for candidates who would require entry into the H‑1B lottery from outside the United States.