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What does a software automation engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted expert
Andrea Welker Ph.D.

A software automation engineer specializes in designing and developing software and systems. In a company setting, it is their duty to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current systems and devices, conceptualize plans according to the company's needs, develop prototypes and test structures, and implement solutions against problem areas. They must also coordinate with software teams, provide technical support, and maintain extensive records. Furthermore, as a software automation engineer, it is essential to conduct regular maintenance checks, perform repairs and upgrades as needed.

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Software automation engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real software automation engineer resumes:

  • Involve in using JIRA for managing the defect.
  • Help team members to automate their test case verification and debugging process to effectively reduce the testing phase.
  • Provide overarching strategic recommendations for productivity improvements and achieve QMS - ISO certification.
  • Develop Java and C++ modules for automation team to improve development.
  • Design, implement and test the system of C++ objects on UNIX platform.
  • Execute and evaluate automated selenium scripts of campaign page functional and regression testing.
  • Develop automated test scripts using QTP for functional and regression testing for data synchronization ensuring pub/sub model verification.
  • Used Jenkins for continuous integration.
  • Provide updates to test requirements using JIRA.
  • View test results, debugging and troubleshooting as needed.
  • Create uptime production web service tests via ruby and Httparty.
  • Used Jenkins as continuous integration server to run automate test suites.
  • Learned JavaScript to circumvent calling a 3rd party address validation tool (SmartyStreets) in UI tests.
  • Implement complex back-end component to get the count in no time against large size MySQL database using Java multithreading.
  • Design, implement, and maintain automation software for testing video DRM across multiple android platforms and hardware devices.

Software automation engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Software Automation Engineers are proficient in Python, Java, and C #.

We break down the percentage of Software Automation Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Python, 14%

    Updated, developed and maintained a Python coded automation program for wireless protocol testing.

  • Java, 10%

    Worked with Selenium WebDriver to create selenium automation scripts in java and performed Functional Testing and automated Regression Testing.

  • C #, 8%

    Designed/maintained automation using in-house C # automation library.

  • Jenkins, 5%

    Used Git for Source code Management and integrated it with Jenkins CI Server and Deployment plugins to automate Continuous Delivery pipelines.

  • Linux, 5%

    Contributed to the development and continuous enhancement of several advanced digital satellite set top box projects in real-time embedded Linux environments.

  • GIT, 4%

    Developed libraries, object repositories and upload project file into Git repository.

Common skills that a software automation engineer uses to do their job include "python," "java," and "c #." You can find details on the most important software automation engineer responsibilities below.

All software automation engineer skills

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Compare different software automation engineers

Software automation engineer vs. Test engineer

Test engineers are professionals who observe and record the quality of products, which includes functionality, durability, speed, and safety. They are responsible for checking the materials and procedures thoroughly throughout the production cycle. It is their duty to run tests on different criteria to identify and fix technical issues. They analyze reactions to determine the causes of malfunctions and recommend potential improvements. Moreover, they test products before they are launched to ensure customers get high-quality and functional products.

The annual salary of test engineers is $22,980 lower than the average salary of software automation engineers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both software automation engineer and test engineer positions are skilled in python, java, and c #.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a software automation engineer are more likely to require skills like "git," "ci," "automation tools," and "c." On the other hand, a job as a test engineer requires skills like "test procedures," "test equipment," "troubleshoot," and "data analysis." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Test engineers tend to make the most money working in the telecommunication industry, where they earn an average salary of $88,414. In contrast, software automation engineers make the biggest average salary, $104,051, in the automotive industry.test engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than software automation engineers. In fact, test engineers are 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Software automation engineer vs. Software analyst

A software analyst is responsible for creating and designing software programs and applications, as well as modifying existing ones for optimization according to business requirements. Software analysts work with the technical team to draw system codes, analyze programming languages, and ensure the stability and efficiency of software navigation by running multiple quality checks to the system. They inspect the application's performance, configure servers, and improve software infrastructure according to quality findings. A software analyst records resolution reports and provides progress updates, ensuring that the project adheres to budget limitations and set timetables.

A career as a software analyst brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a software automation engineer. In fact, software analysts salary is $24,412 lower than the salary of software automation engineers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Software automation engineers and software analysts both require similar skills like "java," "jenkins," and "linux" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, software automation engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "python," "c #," "git," and "ci." Meanwhile, a software analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "software development," "troubleshoot," "test cases," and "business process." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Software analysts may earn a lower salary than software automation engineers, but software analysts earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $86,986. On the other hand, software automation engineers receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $104,051.software analysts earn lower levels of education than software automation engineers in general. They're 6.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software automation engineers in the next 3-5 years?

Andrea Welker Ph.D.Andrea Welker Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University

Virtual/augmented reality will play an increasingly important role in visualizing designs and interacting with them.

Software automation engineer vs. Software developer

A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.

On average, software developers earn lower salaries than software automation engineers, with a $15,291 difference per year.software automation engineers and software developers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "python," "java," and "jenkins," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from software automation engineer resumes include skills like "c #," "ci," "automation tools," and "c," whereas a software developer is more likely to list skills in "software development," "javascript," "database," and "api. "

Software developers earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $96,138. Software automation engineers earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $104,051.Most software developers achieve a similar degree level compared to software automation engineers. For example, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Software automation engineer vs. Software tester

The responsibility of software testers involves the quality assurance of software development and deployment. Software testers conduct manual and automated tests to make sure that the software is developed for its purpose. They remove the issues and bugs within a product before deployment to users. Their responsibilities include software and systems analysis, risk mitigation, and software-related issue prevention. They should have skills in automation, programming, social networking, logical thinking, and mobile and web technology.

Software testers tend to earn a lower pay than software automation engineers by an average of $24,232 per year.While their salaries may vary, software automation engineers and software testers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "java," "c #," and "jenkins. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "python," "git," "ci," and "automation tools" are skills that commonly show up on software automation engineer resumes. On the other hand, software testers use skills like selenium, status reports, bug reports, and test execution on their resumes.In general, software testers earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $85,662. The highest-paying industry for a software automation engineer is the automotive industry.The average resume of software testers showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to software automation engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 6.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.3%.

Types of software automation engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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