Specialises in testing APIs, contracts and integrations between services.
Entry
Intermediate
Coding
High
Key skills
Common progression
- API Test Engineer
- SDET
- Test Lead
Career overview
The API Test Engineer focuses on the contract and behaviour layer between services: REST, GraphQL, gRPC, message queues, schema validation and contract testing. They catch integration bugs that UI tests miss. The role leads to SDET, Test Lead or Backend Developer positions.
Main responsibilities
- Test APIs and integrations
- Build and maintain test automation
- Define test strategy and plans
- Report, track and verify defects
- Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines
- Keep technical documentation up to date
- Prepare and execute change requests in production
- Analyse application logs to identify root causes
- Mentor junior team members and review their work
- Design and document REST APIs
Technical skills
Technologies
Education level
Education requirements vary depending on the company, country and experience. Professional experience, certifications and technical skills can sometimes compensate for formal education.
High School / Bac
Less common
Bac+2 (2-year degree)
Less common
Bac+3 (Bachelor)
Common entry point
Bac+5 (Master / Engineering)
Common entry point
Experience & coding level
Experience level
Coding level
Useful certifications
Certifications are never mandatory. They are one way among others to prove a skill.
- ISTQB API Testing
- Postman API Certification
- ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineer
Where can this career take you?
Multiple paths are possible. Click a role to open its profile.
Direct progression
Possible branches
Where can you go next?
Realistic next career moves, with compatibility and a transition roadmap for each.
Overlap: 37% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: Test framework design, CI/CD engineering, Service virtualisation
View roadmapOverlap: 24% · Difficulty: Easy
Skills to learn: Test automation frameworks, UI automation (Selenium/Cypress), API automation
View roadmapWhere can you go from here?
A typical progression built from real career relationships. Click any role to open its profile.
- API Test Engineer
- SDET
- Test Lead
Soft skills
- Analytical thinking
- Rigour and attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Clear communication
- Teamwork
- Sense of ownership
Continue your career exploration
Keep moving: compare roles, follow a roadmap, read a guide or prepare for an interview.
Ready to explore your next step?
A documented transition from this role to the next.
API Test EngineerSDET
Keep exploring
Compare this role with others, or check which career fits you best.