QA Engineer / SDET Career Path | Ingress Academy
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All career pathsQA ENGINEER / SDET CAREER PATH

From your first test case to designing scalable, AI-assisted test automation systems.

A structured path from manual QA fundamentals to advanced test automation and quality engineering leadership using Java, Selenium, API and mobile automation, and AI-assisted testing tools.

Check my level Explore the roadmap
5–10 minutes · No payment required · Personalised result
✓QA
Test design
API testing
Automation
CI
YOUR DESTINATIONQA Engineer / SDETTest · Automate · Assure
High industry demandCompanies need QA Engineers and SDETs to ship reliable software faster.
Strong salary growthAutomation and framework design skills significantly increase earning potential.
Broad technical exposureWork across web, API, mobile, CI/CD and cloud-based testing environments.
Future-proof skillsetAI-assisted and self-healing test practices keep this role relevant long-term.
YOUR ROADMAP

One career. 4 levels.
A clear next step at every stage.

Each level groups the core skills you need — and the Ingress training mapped to them.

01
Foundation
Next: Junior

Manual testing and QA fundamentals

  • Understand SDLC, STLC and the role of QA throughout software delivery
  • Analyse requirements and identify unclear acceptance criteria
  • Write structured test scenarios, test cases and test suites
  • Write clear, actionable bug reports with evidence, severity and priority
  • Apply equivalence partitioning and boundary value analysis
  • Perform functional, regression, smoke and exploratory testing
  • Understand HTTP methods, status codes and REST API fundamentals
  • Test REST APIs manually using Postman
  • Query and validate relational data using SQL
  • Use AI responsibly to generate test ideas and improve defect reports
Recommended trainings
QA Engineer & AI-Assisted QA TestingQA to SDET Bootcamp
02
Junior
Next: Mid-level

Automate with Java, TDD and Selenium

  • Write automation code using core Java and object-oriented programming
  • Write automated tests with JUnit 5
  • Apply the Red → Green → Refactor TDD cycle
  • Manage Java automation projects using standard build tools
  • Apply SOLID principles to test automation code
  • Structure maintainable frameworks using the Page Object Model
  • Understand Selenium WebDriver architecture, locators and browser interactions
  • Build stable browser tests using waits and synchronisation strategies
  • Automate complete user journeys across web applications
  • Use Git and GitHub for version control and team collaboration
Recommended trainings
Automation Engineer / SDET TrainingQA to SDET Bootcamp
03
Mid-level
Next: Senior

SDET-level test automation

  • Automate Android and iOS applications with Appium
  • Automate REST API testing with REST Assured
  • Validate API responses against relational data using SQL
  • Combine web, API and mobile tests within one automation framework
  • Manage test data, configuration and multiple testing environments
  • Run automated tests through GitLab CI/CD pipelines
  • Publish readable test results using Allure reports
  • Diagnose flaky tests, unstable locators and environment-related failures
  • Use AI for test generation, automation scripting and failure analysis
  • Implement and evaluate self-healing locator approaches
Recommended trainings
Automation Engineer / SDET TrainingQA to SDET Bootcamp
04
Senior
Next: Lead / Architect

Framework architecture and quality leadership

  • Own automation framework architecture and technical standards
  • Select tools and design patterns based on product and team requirements
  • Define testing strategy across API, integration, UI and end-to-end layers
  • Establish standards for test data, environments, reporting and test maintenance
  • Improve automation reliability and reduce flaky tests
  • Introduce performance testing awareness using JMeter
  • Apply security testing awareness using OWASP principles
  • Evaluate AI-native, self-healing and agentic testing platforms
  • Define responsible practices for AI-generated tests and sensitive data
  • Mentor QA engineers and review automation framework changes
  • Set quality strategy and engineering standards across multiple squads
Recommended trainings
Automation Engineer / SDET TrainingQA to SDET Bootcamp
SKILL ASSESSMENT

Find your level, then close the gaps.

A practical assessment maps your skills to a personalised plan — in about 10 minutes.

AssessA practical test scores every skill on this path.
LearnA plan built around your specific gaps.
PracticeExercises that target your weak spots.
Track ProgressWatch your grades climb over time.
Assess my skills Takes approximately 5–10 minutes. Receive a personalised learning recommendation.

EXAMPLE RESULT68% · Junior

B
A

Manual Testing FundamentalsStrength — solid fundamentals

88
A

Test Case DesignStrength

85
B

Defect Reporting & TrackingMinor gaps

74
B

REST API Basics with PostmanGood — go deeper

71
B

SQL for TestersSolid

72
C

AI-Assisted Testing BasicsGap — below level bar

55
C

Core JavaGap

52
D

JUnit 5Largest gap

30
INSTRUCTOR TEAM

Learn from engineers who build and operate production systems.

This path brings together specialists who work in the field every day — across development, architecture, operations and engineering leadership.

Meet the full instructor team
UPCOMING COHORT

Join the next QA Engineer / SDET cohort.

Small groups, mentor-led sessions and a fixed schedule so you actually finish.

Start dateAnnounced soon
ScheduleEvenings · 2×/week
SeatsLimited
Register your interest