Role description
ArnicaArnica is an AI-powered application security platform built for developer teams that move fast. We protect software supply chains across 100,000+ repositories - detecting threats, eliminating false positives, and keeping security out of the way of shipping. We're a small, high-trust team that cares deeply about the craft and genuinely enjoys the work.
The Role
We're looking for an SDET who writes test automation the way a software engineer writes production code — clean, maintainable, and built to last. You'll design and own the automation frameworks that keep our platform reliable as we ship fast. This is a hands-on, code-heavy role: you'll be writing more TypeScript than test plans, and your pull requests will sit right alongside the feature work.
What You'll Be Doing
- Designing, building, and maintaining automated test frameworks (API, integration, and end-to-end) in TypeScript.
- Writing reliable, well-structured test code that other engineers actually want to work with.
- Building CI/CD-integrated test pipelines that catch regressions before they reach production.
- Creating and maintaining test data management strategies and fixtures.
- Writing PostgreSQL queries to validate data integrity and build data-driven tests.
- Developing custom test tooling and utilities that accelerate the whole team's testing workflow.
- Using AI tools (Cursor, Claude, and others) to generate tests, identify coverage gaps, and automate repetitive QA tasks.
- Collaborating with engineers and PMs to define testability requirements early in the development cycle.
- Owning test reliability - investigating flaky tests, improving stability, and keeping the test suite fast and trustworthy.
You're a Great Fit If You
- Have 5+ years in software engineering or SDET roles with a strong automation focus.
- Are fluent in TypeScript and comfortable working in a Node.js codebase — you can read production code and write test code at the same level of quality.
- Have hands-on experience building test frameworks from scratch (not just writing tests in existing ones).
- Know your way around REST API testing, database validation, and CI/CD pipelines.
- Are comfortable with GitHub workflows, pull requests, and code review — you work like a developer because you are one.
- Can write meaningful PostgreSQL queries and use them to validate system behavior.
- Use AI tools to make your workflow smarter, not just faster.
- Communicate clearly, collaborate well with teammates, and take initiative without waiting to be told.
Bonus If You Have
- Experience with Playwright, Cypress, or similar end-to-end testing frameworks.
- Familiarity with DynamoDB, AWS Lambda, or Kubernetes.
- A background in application security or DevSecOps.
- Experience with performance testing or load testing tools.
- Worked at a startup and understand what it means to own outcomes, not just test cases.
Why Arnica
Small team, meaningful scope. You'll have real ownership over your work, direct access to decision-makers, and the freedom to shape how we build. Quality isn't an afterthought here — it's built into how we work. Remote-first with deep trust. If you want to write automation that actually matters at a company where engineering excellence is the standard, we'd love to talk.
Perks
- Stock options with an early-stage startup
- Choice of hardware: MacBook Pro / Surface Laptop
- Claude Pro/Max plan and uncapped Cursor budget. We put our money where our mouth is on AI-native development.
- Unlimited PTO
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
Work Authorization
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document upon hire.