To answer my own question:
https://developer.apple.com/support/roles/
So, indeed developers have only read access to builds, and can not add the test information when uploading a build.
So, it's writing an email to an App Manager each time, who has a lot to do and has to copy the information from the devs, which usually happens way after most testers have already installed the build.
This is not a good workflow, to put it mildly.
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
TestFlight