Love the blog posts! Getting to know how Google Testing operates is extremely interesting for those of us outside the company. I'm looking forward to seeing what types of tools you've developed in-house and even which tools, if any, you've purchased.
I've noticed on the jobs boards at Google, Microsoft, etc. you don't see the more traditional "Quality Assurance" role for a manual tester, intead they have become Test Engineers. Can you explain more about how you find and use TEs? Maybe, if you know the differences, compare them to traditional QA role? Are TE's more than just manual testers or is it a terminology debate? Thanks
Thank you for all the interesting articles you publish on the Google Testing Blog. They are very helpful and insightful.
One question:
"Where do TEs fit into this mix? TE is an even newer role than SET but already we have a number climbing to the Staff ranks and pushing on the senior most positions in the company. There is no ceiling, but the journey to the top takes some time."
Does this mean that TEs are also on the same pay scale as SETs and SWEs?
Full disclosure.... James is my manager however we have not been together long enough for me to be biased - well no much :)
Much like James I have seen SET to SWE and SWE to SET conversions. Personally I dont like to focus on either role and lets not leave out PM to SET or SET to PM conversions. What you should ask yourself is what do you like to do? If you like to analyze software, take it apart and figure out how to make it better SET is perfect for you. If you like to architect, construct, and engineer software you'll likely find SWE better. Now keep in ming both roles do what the other does and toward the more senior levels the lines almost totally blur however the perspective approaches to the problem remain intact.
One thing I've noticed is more scientists (Physics, Chemistry, Math - like analysis, etc) tend to wind up in test. I think it comes from that fact testers like to understand why something works.
Since you have explained about SWE and SET, how about TE roles and its career path which you said as new role in Google? Keen to know more about the day-to-day life of TE.
James,
ReplyDeleteLove the blog posts! Getting to know how Google Testing operates is extremely interesting for those of us outside the company. I'm looking forward to seeing what types of tools you've developed in-house and even which tools, if any, you've purchased.
I've noticed on the jobs boards at Google, Microsoft, etc. you don't see the more traditional "Quality Assurance" role for a manual tester, intead they have become Test Engineers. Can you explain more about how you find and use TEs? Maybe, if you know the differences, compare them to traditional QA role? Are TE's more than just manual testers or is it a terminology debate? Thanks
Chris
Thanks for giving insight into the SET role. It really did answer my question. Keep posting!
ReplyDeleteRaghav.
Thank you for all the interesting articles you publish on the Google Testing Blog. They are very helpful and insightful.
ReplyDeleteOne question:
"Where do TEs fit into this mix? TE is an even newer role than SET but already we have a number climbing to the Staff ranks and pushing on the senior most positions in the company. There is no ceiling, but the journey to the top takes some time."
Does this mean that TEs are also on the same pay scale as SETs and SWEs?
Best regards,
Johan
Full disclosure.... James is my manager however we have not been together long enough for me to be biased - well no much :)
ReplyDeleteMuch like James I have seen SET to SWE and SWE to SET conversions. Personally I dont like to focus on either role and lets not leave out PM to SET or SET to PM conversions. What you should ask yourself is what do you like to do? If you like to analyze software, take it apart and figure out how to make it better SET is perfect for you. If you like to architect, construct, and engineer software you'll likely find SWE better. Now keep in ming both roles do what the other does and toward the more senior levels the lines almost totally blur however the perspective approaches to the problem remain intact.
One thing I've noticed is more scientists (Physics, Chemistry, Math - like analysis, etc) tend to wind up in test. I think it comes from that fact testers like to understand why something works.
Tony Voellm
Hi James,
ReplyDeleteSince you have explained about SWE and SET, how about TE roles and its career path which you said as new role in Google? Keen to know more about the day-to-day life of TE.
:)
Wanna be a tester for google, that would be awesome... I've been tester of games and applications for 4 years.
ReplyDeleteCurious to please know the answer to Chris's question above re: TE's vs traditional QA.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Jim Kahl
James's grad student FIT '98
Hi James,
ReplyDeleteI know you worked at Microsoft for quite some time as well. Can you talk about the difference between the SET and SDET Roles?
Keep posting good stuff like this.
Philip
good post , thanks ..
ReplyDelete