Think about testing the software where the end user is a programmer or a system administrator. For instance:
- Application server, which you configure and build applications overs.
- Tool for managing and monitoring distributed system infrastructure.
In both situations programming, scripting and platform administrating skills can useful well beyond test automation.
Regarding first, I've seen a beta-testing invitation for advanced Python programmers with demanding applications, particularly web applications with databases and AJAX. Testing will require not only testing single APIs, but only build sample applications over it that could stress some aspects of the server.
Regarding second, I've seen an alpha-testing job offer for people proficient with a Unix/Linux environment and other software platforms like AIX, and Solaris. Many problems here may occur in collecting data, thus in integration with platform software.