What does an automation test engineer do?

Automation Test Engineers are licensed professionals who work with clients on various IT or engineering-related activities. They are part of the growing automation industry. They create software solutions related to the automation of processes, and they work with clients to identify automation opportunities based on the existing software, hardware, and other processes. They have to understand their clients' needs and find the appropriate software solutions based on the clients' needs. Automation test engineers help design these software solutions. The majority of their work is related to testing these software solutions. They conduct quality checks to ensure that the software solution is working properly. They also check whether the software solution truly addresses the clients' needs.
Automation test engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real automation test engineer resumes:
- Provide overarching strategic recommendations for productivity improvements and achieve QMS - ISO certification.
- Analyze test results, track the software defects in JIRA and interact with the developers to resolve technical issues.
- Work on paypal checkout and trade center automation using selenium, ruby, sql.
- Implement JUnit framework to write test cases for different modules and resolve the test findings.
- Participate in daily scrum meeting, sprint planning meeting, retrospective meeting, and weekly automation meeting.
- Project delivery in agile model, and tracking project's progress through daily scrum regarding design defects.
- Used QTP checkpoints for checking web pages, images, texts, tables and various UI elements.
- Execute some test cases using TestNG parameters, data providers, suites, parallel suites and groups.
- Test the application on local machine using LINUX operating systems and also test the application in AWS.
- Used automated scripts and perform functionality testing during the various phases of the application development using TestNG framework.
- Develop a Perl script to automatically generate Dracula DRC job decks base on foundry bipolar design rule definitions.
- Work with AutoCAD and GC-PowerPlace software to design boards, and panels for the placement of electronic components from BOM.
- Capture Charles logs for defects find and share the logs with functional team which help them to log defects in JIRA.
- Create electrical and pneumatic drawings using AutoCAD.
- Develop data driven framework and cucumber framework.
Automation test engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Automation Test Engineers are proficient in Java, Python, and Jenkins.
We break down the percentage of Automation Test Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 8%
Designed, developed and implemented Keyword Driven automation testing framework utilizing Java, TestNG and Selenium Web Driver.
- Python, 7%
Develop background automation in GIS for asset information structured data development utilizing python and XML scripting.
- Jenkins, 4%
Standardized and optimized automation code and made available accessible by implementing Jenkins as continuous integration tools.
- Jira, 4%
Captured Charles logs for defects found and shared the logs with functional team which helped them to log defects in JIRA.
- QA, 4%
Conduct internal reviews to measure and assure adherence to established QA standards for Software development, and corresponding documentation.
- GIT, 4%
Update the BDD Automation framework according to UI enhancements and changes use GIT client for version controlling.
Common skills that an automation test engineer uses to do their job include "java," "python," and "jenkins." You can find details on the most important automation test engineer responsibilities below.
The three companies that hire the most automation test engineers are:
- Regions Bank55 automation test engineers jobs
- Centene16 automation test engineers jobs
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.12 automation test engineers jobs
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Automation test engineer vs. Engineer lead quality assurance lead
Engineer Lead Quality Assurance Leads are responsible for managing the designing and operations of hardware or software testing. Their duties include developing testing plans, implement risk mitigation strategies, communicate process improvements to cross-teams such as marketing and engineering, resolve the conflict between teams, and ensures product or software adheres to the organization and industry standards. They are also involved in reviewing technical design and specification, setting performance targets, and writing progress reports for management updates.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an automation test engineer are more likely to require skills like "python," "qa," "git," and "javascript." On the other hand, a job as an engineer lead quality assurance lead requires skills like "api," "test scripts," "selenium webdriver," and "c++." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Engineers lead quality assurance lead earn the highest salaries when working in the hospitality industry, with an average yearly salary of $114,398. On the other hand, automation test engineers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $87,407.The education levels that engineers lead quality assurance lead earn slightly differ from automation test engineers. In particular, engineers lead quality assurance lead are 5.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an automation test engineer. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Automation test engineer vs. Quality assurance analyst
Quality Administrators are responsible for managing the quality processes of an organization. Their duties include creating data collection processes, conducting data cleansing, tracks quality milestones, and develop training programs for internal teams. They undertake daily audits, work with the quality coordinator to determine root cause, and assist with feedback and complaints. Quality administrators also write daily reports for purchase orders that are overdue, open service jobs, quotations needing to follow up, unconfirmed hires, and processed sales orders.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, automation test engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "python," "git," "automation framework," and "appium." Meanwhile, a quality assurance analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "test scripts," "selenium webdriver," "status reports," and "pl/sql." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Quality assurance analysts earn a lower average salary than automation test engineers. But quality assurance analysts earn the highest pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $82,227. Additionally, automation test engineers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $87,407 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Quality assurance analysts tend to reach lower levels of education than automation test engineers. In fact, they're 6.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for automation test engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Howard Rees
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Information Systems, Rider University
Meaning that the applications (and those "operating" them) do not understand what's happening inside. AI systems are often "designed, trained, and tested" by the provider and certified as generating the output most desired by the customer but only in a statistical sense. There is no "proof" that the AI black box is, with certainty, doing what the business customer (or the provider for that matter) thinks it is doing - it just does a good job when tested on data. There will be a significant need for tech-savvy people to design, train, monitor, and apply them so that they do not deviate from the desired goals. Such deviations can result in socially destructive business practices. As you can't properly manage what you don't understand, there is a risk in using AI too blindly. CS and IT graduates will need to help out.
Automation test engineer vs. Test specialist
A test specialist is responsible for evaluating and running diagnostic tests for system networks and applications to ensure stability and efficiency according to the quality standards. Test specialists analyze the system's features and write findings reports for improvement and technical resolutions. They also help system engineers in developing infrastructures and designing servers to support business operations and maximize productivity. A test specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in identifying malfunctions and inconsistencies before the actual launch of deliverables.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from automation test engineer resumes include skills like "python," "git," "c #," and "javascript," whereas a test specialist is more likely to list skills in "test cases," "test scripts," "test procedures," and "test equipment. "
Test specialists typically earn lower educational levels compared to automation test engineers. Specifically, they're 10.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Automation test engineer vs. Quality assurance consultant
A quality assurance consultant specializes in recommending and optimizing quality-control procedures ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They typically conduct research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current quality control operations, implement solutions on problem areas, review policies and regulations, and coordinate with other staff to gather necessary data, analyzing them to find new opportunities for improvement. Furthermore, as a quality assurance consultant, it is essential to recommend solutions in adherence to the company's policies and regulations, including its mission and vision.
Types of automation test engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











