Job profile

Software tester (m/f/d)

Software testers are responsible for putting the finishing touches to new apps, programmes or websites. They are always called in when programmers have finished their development work and the product is about to be released. 

This process step involves putting the product through its paces from the user's perspective and finding possible errors (bugs). All functions must be tried out at least once under different conditions and in different configurations and all possible uses must be tested. Software testers proceed according to their own methods and concepts and use a variety of test tools and instruments. Nothing must be overlooked. Therefore, the test procedures must be perfectly organised and possible errors must be precisely documented. 

Software testers are always faced with the following questions: Is the website, app or programme user-friendly? Is the application intuitive to use? Are all the functions clearly explained? Does the software work without errors? 

There are many different areas of application in which software testers - also known as tech testers - work. They are needed wherever software is developed and websites or digital applications are created.  

Key Facts
Software tester

Tasks
  • Testing new software
  • testing the UX/UI
  • documenting the bugs found
Education
  • Degree in computer science
  • natural sciences
  • electrical engineering
Skills
  • IT skills
  • programming languages
  • quick perception
Wages
Ø € 63,300 gross annual salary
Tasks
  • Testing new software
  • testing the UX/UI
  • documenting the bugs found
Education
  • Degree in computer science
  • natural sciences
  • electrical engineering
Skills
  • IT skills
  • programming languages
  • quick perception
Wages
Ø € 63,300 gross annual salary

  • For job seekers
  • For employers
  • For freelancers

Are you looking for a job as a software tester (m/f/d)?

Are you proficient in common programming languages and have a feel for user behaviour and software operation? Then use your IT expertise and strong communication skills as a software tester for exciting new software solutions or current gaming developments and go on a meticulous bug hunt. 

Are you looking for an experienced software tester (m/f/d)?

Are you developing new software, apps or websites and looking for software testers to put your application through its paces while keeping a close eye on the needs of your users? Then let us do the searching - so that your products exceed your customers' expectations. 

Are you looking for current software tester projects (m/f/d)?

Have you already tested a wide variety of software and are you familiar with the development of apps, websites or in the gaming sector? Do you empathise well with the user perspective and know what their expectations are? Then bring your experience to new software testing projects from our project exchange. 

What is a software tester?
Definition and overview

Before new software is launched on the market, it is necessary to check this software for any errors that may occur. Therefore, it is the task of software testers to test the software thoroughly and find every possible bug. In addition, they check the usability of the application and provide feedback on UX/UI (user experience and user interface). This essential process step ensures the expected quality of an application. 

Software testers must define for themselves how they proceed and which system they use. There is a whole range of tools and methods that make testing much easier. Ideally, the development team should already be thinking about the implementation of all functional tests and unit tests.  

The following tests help the software testers to analyse the system: 

  • Unit tests 

  • System tests 

  • Integration tests 

  • User acceptance tests 

Software tester salary:
a comprehensive overview

The average salary for software testers in Germany is €63,300 gross per year. Hays found this out in the IT Salary Report 2023. On average, software testers with a Master's degree can even earn over €10,000 more gross per year than those who have completed an apprenticeship. 

The salary of software testers, as in any other field, depends on the industry in which they are employed, how much professional experience they have or the size of the company they work for. 

Salaries in Munich, Nuremberg or Hamburg are higher on average than in rural regions. It is currently worth working in the wholesale and food sectors. These sectors pay comparatively higher salaries in software (SW) testing. 

Starting salary as a software tester: Junior software tester salary

(Junior) software testers can expect an average starting salary of €40,000 gross per year. This rises with increasing professional experience for senior software testers to €50,000 to €74,000 gross per year. 

Software tester tasks and activities:
The path to a smooth user experience

To ensure that new software and online applications can be used by end customers without any problems, not only technically skilled development teams but also software testers are required.  At the end of the development process, they take a critical look at the newly developed software, app or website and go on an intensive bug hunt. They use customised testing tools and software to scrutinise the applications and even find errors that only occur in rare cases.  

Software testers liaise closely with the development teams. They not only point out which areas are faulty, but also pass on the bugs found to the software developers and create precise test protocols and test reports. 

In addition to searching for errors in new PC applications, apps or websites, software testers develop concepts for optimised software testing. In other words, they develop their own simulations or tools to extensively test a company's software and simulate all - even unlikely or rare - possible uses.  

 

They also test the new software for its user-friendliness and then give their feedback on the user experience and operation. 

The specific software tester tasks include 

  • Design specialised concepts for software tests 

  • Work with specially developed simulation tools 

  • Feedback on the UX/UI of the application 

  • Exchange with the development teams for troubleshooting 

  • Documentation of the errors found 

  • Carry out standardised software tests 

Becoming a software tester
- study, further training & lateral entry

To become a software tester, very good computer science skills are required first and foremost. A degree in computer science or business informatics is therefore a good way to start your career. However, other professional backgrounds paired with high-quality further training (including certification) can also pave the way into the field of software testing.

Software tester career changer: How to start your career successfully

As software testers do not get their job through a specific training programme or a special degree course, lateral entry is a very common way for software testers to enter this profession. Interested parties often already come from the IT sector and acquire the necessary skills to enter the field through a software tester training programme (such as those mentioned above).  

Previous work experience and references are an enormous advantage when looking for a job and promise a successful career as a software tester. And: the more work experience, the higher the salary as a software tester. 

Studying software testing: the academic path

Software testers often have a degree in computer science, engineering or natural sciences. In addition to this theoretical training, internships and further work experience are usually recommended in order to learn all aspects of software testing. 

There are currently no dedicated software testing degree programmes in Germany. 

Software tester training: The push for your career

Specialised further training and certifications are an important part of a software tester's career. One of the reasons for this is that the field is developing very quickly and software testers must therefore always be informed about current trends and changes. 

Helpful further training courses for software testers are, for example: 

Knowledge is power

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Skills of a software tester

Software testers live in two worlds at the same time. On the one hand, they have to look at the software from the user's perspective in order to recognise their needs and test their behaviour. On the other hand, they also have to look through the eyes of the development team in order to be able to communicate correctly or find problems directly in the source code. Very good knowledge of IT is a prerequisite, while knowledge of various programming languages (e.g. Java or Python) is a helpful plus. Depending on the programming language in which the software to be tested was written, the software testers should also be able to understand this language. 

In addition, software testers should have the following hard and soft skills: 

  • Good computer and IT skills 

  • Quick comprehension 

  • Careful way of working 

  • Stamina 

  • Communication and teamwork skills 

  • Analytical skills 

  • Specialised industry knowledge 

Software tester career:
opportunities on the labour market

Software testers do not only work in the IT sector: they can also test programmes for insurance companies, banks or the automotive industry. The labour market offers good career opportunities for software testers who are proficient in many programming languages and test tools. 

Software testers are particularly in demand in IT system houses, the software industry, telecommunications, the media industry, electrical engineering and the gaming industry.  

As they are needed wherever software is developed, you will find a job both in large software companies and in companies that offer software as a service.  So there is plenty of choice to get off to a flying start in software testing. 

Top vacancies for software testers:
Jobs throughout Germany

FAQ  

What does a software tester do?

Software check new software, applications and websites for possible errors (bugs) before they are published. To do this, they use various testing tools and simulations and are in close contact with the development team.

What does a software tester do?

Software check new software, applications and websites for possible errors (bugs) before they are published. To do this, they use various testing tools and simulations and are in close contact with the development team.


What does a software tester earn?

In Germany, software testers earn an average of €63,300 gross per year. Software testers can expect to earn around €40,000 a year when starting out.

What does a software tester earn?

In Germany, software testers earn an average of €63,300 gross per year. Software testers can expect to earn around €40,000 a year when starting out.


Are software testers in demand?

Jobs in software development, such as software tester, have been in high demand for years. Demand has risen by 114% since 2015, making these professions a viable career choice for the future.

Are software testers in demand?

Jobs in software development, such as software tester, have been in high demand for years. Demand has risen by 114% since 2015, making these professions a viable career choice for the future.


How do you become a software tester?

There is no dedicated training programme for software testers, which is why a degree in subjects such as computer science, natural sciences or electrical engineering is suitable for entry. Knowledge of common programming languages and very good IT skills are also important.

How do you become a software tester?

There is no dedicated training programme for software testers, which is why a degree in subjects such as computer science, natural sciences or electrical engineering is suitable for entry. Knowledge of common programming languages and very good IT skills are also important.


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