--- title: 'Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) at Topstep' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-development-engineer-in-test-sdet-topstep-united-states-nvz0k7hq1qhw' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-11' --- # Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) at Topstep - **Company:** Topstep - **Location:** United States - **Work type:** remote - **Posted:** 2026-07-23 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/topsteptrader/jobs/7813599003 ## Job description Summary: Topstep operates a real-time futures trading platform (TopstepX). Here, correctness isn't cosmetic: a defect in order handling, market-data delivery, or a balance/P&L calculation can cost a trader real money. We're hiring a Senior SDET to drive test automation across the platform — building the frameworks, shaping coverage decisions, and raising the quality bar alongside our existing SDETs. We lean heavily on AI-assisted test generation to produce broad, meaningful coverage at scale, and you'll help extend that capability. You'll partner with product engineering teams to design for testability early, automate the journeys that matter most, and strengthen the testing practice across the group. This role suits a strong technical tester who thinks in systems and can build scalable test infrastructure while mentoring others. ## Key Responsibilities - Drive test automation across API, UI, and end-to-end — shaping where automated coverage delivers the most value against execution time and maintenance cost. - Use and extend our AI-assisted test-generation tooling to produce and maintain broad, verification-focused coverage — applying judgment to curate, validate, and prune what the models generate rather than trusting it wholesale. - Build and maintain scalable test frameworks and infrastructure that run in CI/CD, including for real-time paths: order lifecycle, market-data streams over WebSocket, and financially material calculations. - Partner with product and engineering early to define testability requirements and quality standards, rather than validating after the fact. - Lead by example on test code quality — clean, maintainable, well-documented, and a model for the team. - Own the signal from the test suite: triage failures fast, keep flakiness low, and make results and quality metrics visible and trustworthy to engineering. - Surface and drive resolution of quality gaps, systemic testing weaknesses, and test-related technical debt. - Mentor engineers and SDETs on automation patterns, AI-assisted testing workflows, non-functional testing (performance, load, resilience), and a quality-first mindset. Required Qualifications and Key Competencies - 5 + years in software testing with a strong focus on test automation and framework development. - Expert programming skills; writes production-quality test code in TypeScript. - Hands-on experience building test automation frameworks from scratch (Playwright preferred; Cypress, Selenium, or similar also relevant). - Comfort using AI/LLM-assisted tooling to accelerate test creation and verification, with the judgment to validate and curate generated output rather than accept it at face value. - Strong API and real-time testing: RESTful services and WebSocket/streaming systems, with a solid grasp of backend testing patterns. - Solid grasp of our stack — a React/TypeScript front end and C#/.NET backend services, plus databases and the service architecture behind them — enough to test it deeply. - CI/CD experience integrating automated tests into deployment pipelines (GitHub Actions). - Proven ability to design test strategies that balance coverage, execution time, and maintenance overhead. - Strong debugging across the full stack — frontend, backend, database, and infrastructure. - Excellent communication; can advocate for quality and influence engineering practice. ## Preferred - Non-functional testing experience: performance, load, and resilience. - Familiarity with ArgoCD, Terraform, and Kubernetes. - Experience testing trading, fintech, or other low-latency/financially sensitive systems. - Contract / consumer-driven testing between services. - Observability-driven testing (using logs, metrics, traces to validate behavior). Company Culture & Perks - Topstep is an engaging working environment that ranges from fully remote to hybrid. We foster a culture of collaboration by keeping cameras on during meetings and maintaining a robust Slack environment for communication. - Seven Company-paid Holidays and generous Family Leave. Paid time off is front-loaded. - Competitive 401(k) matching, health, dental, and vision insurance are offered for full-time employees. - Vacations are encouraged with a bonus for taking 5 consecutive days. Topstep offers a food and groceries budget and contributes towards health and wellness. New Hire Base Salary Range - $155,000 - $190,000 annually. - The compensation offered will take into account the internal compensation structure and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors. - This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents. ## Equal Opportunity Employer Topstep is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees and applicants are valued. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Interested in the role? Apply today with your resume! The collection, use, and handling of your data provided in response to this job posting is described further in our Privacy Policy. If you are a California resident, please review our California Notice at Collection. Notice of Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment and Hiring: Notice Pursuant to 775 ILCS 5/2-102(L). Topstep LLC uses artificial intelligence ("AI") in connection with its recruitment and hiring process. Examples include, but are not limited to, AI tools used to improve job descriptions, generate interview questions, draft communications, assist with scheduling, and source candidates, as well as AI features built into third-party platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. Topstep will not use AI that has the effect of subjecting employees or applicants to discrimination on the basis of any protected class under the Illinois Human Rights Act. The collection, use, and handling of your data provided in response to this job posting is described further in our [Privacy Policy](https://www.topstep.com/job-candidate-privacy-notice). If you are a California resident, please review our [California Notice at Collection](https://www.topstep.com/job-candidate-privacy-notice#info-for-california-residents). ## About Topstep ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Topstep is a proprietary trading firm that provides simulated evaluation and funded trading programs, along with a futures brokerage and educational media, to help traders build discipline and earn capital. - **Entity Type**: Private (Bootstrapped) - **Headquarters**: Chicago, Illinois, United States - **Founded**: 2010 (as Patak Trading Partners); Topstep entity established 2012 - **Founders**: Michael Patak ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Financial Services – Proprietary Trading, Futures Brokerage, Trading Education - **Target customers**: B2C – individual retail traders and aspiring funded traders (B2B component for brokerage services) - **Mission or purpose statement**: “To turn market access into opportunity to learn, trade, and earn profits more safely whether you trade our money or your own.” ## Products & Services - **Topstep Trader (Prop Firm)**: A simulated evaluation program where traders prove their discipline and risk management to earn the opportunity to trade live futures markets with the firm’s capital. Traders keep up to 90% of profits and receive weekly payouts. - **Topstep Brokerage**: A registered futures introducing broker (NFA ID# 0567079, CFTC registered) that allows traders to trade live markets with their own capital, with the option to directly transfer prop earnings from the Topstep program. - **TopstepX**: A proprietary trading platform built for futures traders, featuring TradingView charts, real-time CME data, and customizable risk management tools. - **TopstepTV**: A digital media network delivering live market education, analysis, and entertainment to the global trading community. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (privately held) - **Key Metric**: $1.4B+ paid out to prop firm traders (cumulative); annual revenue reported as $4.0M by third-party data (conflicting – likely understated; actual revenue not disclosed) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: No external funding rounds disclosed; firm is bootstrapped. Key partners include TradingView (chart integration), CME Group (data feeds). - **Growth Signals**: 52.1% year-over-year headcount growth (2,125 employees); 174,000+ members on Discord; 27,533 LinkedIn followers (+58.8% YoY); acquired TS TFD Buyer, LLC (April 2026); 15 active job openings with +150% monthly posting growth. ## Competitive Advantages - **First-mover in the prop trading combine space** – Topstep claims to have created the retail funded‑trader model. - **Integrated ecosystem** – Combines evaluation, brokerage, trading platform, and education in one platform, enabling seamless progression from simulated to live trading. - **Trader-first philosophy** – Emphasis on discipline, accountability, and continuous improvement, supported by a strong community and 24/7 support. - **High retention and employee satisfaction** – Employer rating of 4.6/5 on Glassdoor (88 reviews), with culture scored 4.6 and work-life balance 4.7. ## Strategic Focus - **Expanding the brokerage business** – Topstep Brokerage aims to make futures trading more accessible and integrate seamlessly with the prop firm program. - **Deepening educational content** – TopstepTV and live coaching are central to building trader habits and loyalty. - **Technology enhancement** – Continued investment in the TopstepX platform and data infrastructure (e.g., hiring Senior Data Engineer, Staff Platform Engineer). - **International growth** – Operates in 95+ countries; headcount growth driven by remote and global hiring. ## Why Work Here - **Culture & Values**: People-first, accountability, continuous improvement, and diverse perspectives are core values. Rating 4.6/5 for culture. - **Remote/Hybrid Policy**: Not explicitly stated, but the workforce spans 95 countries with 1,238 employees in the US (Chicago headquarters). Likely a hybrid or remote-friendly model. - **Notable Perks**: Fast-paced, growth-oriented environment; opportunity to work in a fintech company that created its own market category. Recent job postings include roles in engineering, risk, compliance, and product. - **Engineering Culture**: High emphasis on technology – open roles for Senior Software Engineer, Staff Platform Engineer, Senior Mobile Engineer, and Senior Data Engineer. The tech stack is modern (TypeScript, full stack, data engineering). ## Sources 1. [topstep.com](https://www.topstep.com/about-us) 2. [topstep.com](https://www.topstep.com) 3. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/topstep) 4. 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