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SDET · Companies

Where to aim your applications

Not every SDET employer pays or tests the same. Here is a tiered map — who sits where, the role, the fit, and the salary band — so you target smart.

Updated for 2026 · ~9 min read · by Naveed Tawargeri

Not every company that hires SDETs pays the same, tests the same, or values the role the same way. Targeting blindly wastes your applications. This is a tiered map of SDET employers — who sits where, the role they hire for, how strong the SDET fit is, and the salary band — so you apply where your skills and salary goal actually align.

SDET employers by tier

CompanyTierRoleSDET fitSalary (LPA)
BrowserStackTier 0 — Apply NOWSDE-1, SDE-2, SDET⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐22–35 LPA
PostmanTier 0 — Apply NOWSDE-1, Platform Eng⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐22–32 LPA
ThoughtWorksTier 0 — Apply NOWApplication Dev, Tech Lead⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐20–32 LPA
ChargebeeTier 0 — Apply NOWSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐⭐20–30 LPA
FreshworksTier 0 — Apply NOWSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐⭐18–28 LPA
RazorpayTier 1 — 2–3 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2, Backend⭐⭐⭐25–40 LPA
PhonePeTier 1 — 2–3 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐25–42 LPA
CREDTier 1 — 2–3 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐28–45 LPA
GrowwTier 1 — 2–3 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐22–38 LPA
ZeptoTier 1 — 2–3 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐22–35 LPA
MeeshoTier 1 — 2–3 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐22–35 LPA
SwiggyTier 1 — 2–3 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐25–40 LPA
ZomatoTier 1 — 2–3 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐22–38 LPA
Walmart Global TechTier 2 — 3–6 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2, SDE-3⭐⭐⭐25–45 LPA
Amazon (non-SDE)Tier 2 — 3–6 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐30–55 LPA
FlipkartTier 2 — 3–6 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2, SDE-3⭐⭐⭐28–50 LPA
UberTier 2 — 3–6 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐35–65 LPA
PaytmTier 2 — 3–6 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐20–35 LPA
SAP LabsTier 2 — 3–6 MonthsSDE-1, Associate Dev⭐⭐⭐18–30 LPA
CiscoTier 2 — 3–6 MonthsSDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐22–38 LPA
AtlassianTier 3 — FAANG (6–9 Mo)SDE-1, SDE-2, Platform Eng⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐32–50 LPA
Microsoft (DevDiv)Tier 3 — FAANG (12–18 Mo)SDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐40–65 LPA
GoogleTier 3 — FAANG (24–36 Mo)SDE L3, SDE L4⭐50–90 LPA
AdobeTier 3 — FAANG (6–12 Mo)MTS-1, MTS-2⭐⭐28–50 LPA
SalesforceTier 3 — FAANG (6–12 Mo)SDE-1, SDE-2⭐⭐⭐30–55 LPA
HashiCorpTier 3 — FAANG (6–9 Mo)SDE-1, Platform Eng⭐⭐⭐35–55 LPA

How to use the tiers

  • Match tier to your band — use the roadmap-by-salary to see which skills a tier expects, then apply when you clear them.
  • Apply in a spread — a few reach (higher tier), several target, a couple safe. One competing offer changes every negotiation.
  • Tailor per tier — top-tier product companies weight DSA and system design; services and mid-tier weight framework depth and breadth.

Target smart, negotiate hard

Know the band, know your in-hand, then apply.

Roadmap by Salary → Salary Calculator Negotiation Guide

Frequently asked questions

Which companies hire SDETs in India?

A wide range across tiers — top product companies, well-funded startups, mid-tier product firms and premium IT services. The tiered table lists them with roles and salary bands.

How much do SDETs earn at different companies?

It varies sharply by tier — from mid-range at services firms to significantly higher at top product companies. The salary column shows the band for each.

Which companies pay SDETs the most?

Top-tier product companies and well-funded startups pay the highest bands, but they also weight DSA and system design most heavily.

How should I choose which companies to target?

Match the tier to your current skill band, apply in a spread of reach/target/safe, and tailor your prep to what each tier weights.

Company tiers and salary bands shift with the market — treat them as calibration and verify current ranges.

Related guides & practice

Roadmap by SalarySalary CalculatorNegotiation GuideCompany QuestionsRounds by CompanyQA Jobs Board