An Automation Test Engineer is a professional who specializes in designing, developing, and executing automated test scripts and frameworks to ensure the quality and reliability of software applications. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Automation Test Engineers.

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Main Responsibilities of an Automation Test Engineer

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Automation Test Engineer:

Advise

Advise and implement technical test solutions on client sites.

Analyze

• Analyze and recommend test automation tools.

• Analyze technical requirements in area of expertise and inputs to proposed solutions.

• Analyze test results and provide comprehensive reports to stakeholders.

Apply

• Apply advanced test quality methods, theories and research techniques.

• Apply feedback to improve performance.

• Apply processes and tools.

Assist in

• Assist in driving adoption of best practices in testing and maintainability.

• Assist Product Owner for the new functionality demo.

Automate

Automate application flows to report the test data & conclusions in a clear and concise manner.

Build

• Build and maintain automated test cases to validate data quality.

• Build test strategy and test plans for application releases.

Capture

Capture actual efforts in status reports.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate effectively in virtual teams.

• Collaborate with AI and Navigation Engineers to understand desired system capabilities.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and effective testing processes.

• Collaborate with developers on root cause analysis of issues that arise throughout the SDLC.

• Collaborate with developers to ensure appropriate test coverage for new features.

• Collaborate with manual testing teams to ensure complete test coverage.

• Collaborate with product owners and business analysts to understand testing requirements.

• Collaborate with software development teams to identify test automation requirements.

• Collaborate with various functional experts.

Collect

• Collect and analyze test data.

• Collect and report automated testing results and metrices to all appropriate stakeholders.

• Collect metrics to measure test progress and quality outcomes.

Communicate

• Communicate effectively with all levels of employees.

• Communicate progress of testing activities to the team / test lead or directly to client.

Compose

Compose reports and make adjustments to equipment or processes that require improvement.

Conduct

• Conduct exploratory testing to identify edge cases and potential issues.

• Conduct performance and load testing to assess system scalability and stability.

• Conduct risk assessments to prioritize testing efforts based on criticality.

• Conduct root cause analysis for test failures and implement corrective actions.

• Conduct technical feasibility studies with assistance.

Consult

• Consult and provide direction on test environment issues.

• Consult on the integration and testing of acoustic systems.

Contribute to

• Contribute to building a positive team spirit.

• Contribute to Performance testing on web-based applications and web services.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of test data and test environments.

Coordinate

• Coordinate effectively in virtual teams.

• Coordinate / Interact with Client Teams / Managers to study of the current and upcoming projects.

• Coordinate issue resolution as required with broader team of QA, Developers and Product Management.

• Coordinate testing efforts across teams to ensure delivery of high-quality features.

Create

• Create and execute automation scripts.

• Create and execute test plans and test cases to validate software functionality.

• Create and maintain the test work plan specific to the project / release.

• Create an environment where a Test-Driven Development behavior is fostered.

• Create automated scripts that support Continuous Integration / Continuous Delivery pipeline.

• Create competitive edge in solution by coming out with innovation implementation ideas.

• Create detailed, comprehensive and well-structured test plans and test cases.

• Create quality plan strategies.

• Create test data and identify environment needs for low to medium complexity projects.

Define

• Define acceptance criteria when stories are created.

• Define and maintain test plans based on software development schedule.

• Define test strategies based on software development plans.

Derive

Derive test scenarios based on process flows.

Design

• Design and develop mobile automation test scripts.

• Design and implement test automation frameworks for efficient and scalable testing.

• Design components of products, solutions or test cases at product level.

Determine

Determine the scope of test cases.

Develop

• Develop ACBI, Advanced Chamberless Burn-In setups using Python, LabVIEW, or LabWindows / CVI.

• Develop and maintain automated test scripts using testing tools and frameworks.

• Develop and maintain test cases, automated scripts, and traceability matrices.

• Develop and maintain test data management strategies.

• Develop and maintain test documentation, including test plans and test scripts.

• Develop automated testing standards, best practices and coding styles to validate BI reports.

• Develop complex SQL queries for data validation.

• Develop configurable, maintainable, reusable and dependable test automation tools.

• Develop framework if required.

• Develop, implement and execute test plans and scripts to address business and technical use cases.

• Develop innovative approaches and ideas.

• Develop, maintain, and debug cloud based micro-service APIs.

• Develop projects in an agile, fast-moving environment and deliver with utmost quality.

• Develop scripts in Python (version 2.7, instead of 3.x).

• Develop test automation scripts in Selenium web driver Page Object Model framework.

• Develop test automation scripts using Selenium.

• Develop test automation suits to develop regression test scripts as needed.

• Develop test plans for assigned products, product areas, or solutions.

Diagnose

Diagnose and report incorrect results.

Document

• Document and demonstrate solutions by developing documentation, diagrams, and clear code.

• Document test results and maintain records for later analysis.

Drive

Drive regression executions, run and report results.

Engage

• Engage with application development team in defect resolution.

• Engage with developers in defect resolution.

Ensure

• Ensure quality processes are followed.

• Ensure software quality via continuous and iterative testing approach.

• Ensure that test strategy is successfully implemented.

• Ensure the test execution results fulfill the defined test objectives.

Escalate

Escalate issues as and when required.

Establish

Establish validation standards and develop testing protocols.

Estimate

Estimate own tasks with some guidance.

Evaluate

Evaluate, explore, and model the product and features working with developers and users.

Evangelize

Evangelize best practices in code health, testing and maintainability.

Execute

• Execute and evaluate manual or automated test cases and report test results.

• Execute, monitor and analyze test results by aligning test case coverage to organization metrics.

• Execute practical application of Agile framework components (user stories, scrum, sprints, etc.).

• Execute system and integration test scripts.

• Execute test cases within the Functional, Mobile, or Web Services Automation framework.

• Execute test cases within the Functional, Mobile, Performance or Web Services Automation framework.

• Execute tests across different operating systems, browsers, and devices.

Exercise

Exercise judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.

Facilitate

• Facilitate conversations between developers, testers, business, product owners and stakeholders.

• Facilitate the identification and preparation of test data.

Follow

• Follow all policies, guidelines, and SOP's as required.

• Follow the defined PDLC process and participate in improving the process.

Generate

Generate test setup sheet, test reports and data required by customers.

Help

• Help Scrum Team identify automation candidates.

• Help the team in resolving technical issues.

Highlight

Highlight requirement and design gaps as early in lifecycle as possible.

Hold

Hold and facilitate test plan and case reviews with cross-functional team members.

Identify

• Identify and document software bugs and usability issues.

• Identify and document software defects and track them through resolution.

• Identify areas for process improvement and recommend solutions for optimization.

• Identify opportunities for increased efficiency through new tools, techniques and technologies.

• Identify product supportability improvement opportunities.

• Identify, record, document thoroughly and track bugs.

Implement

• Implement and maintain version control systems for test assets.

• Implement automated testing in continuous integration process.

• Implement best practices across the organisation.

• Implement complex features or test cases.

• Implement components of products or solutions.

• Implement simple features or test cases, more complex features or test cases with assistance.

• Implement test automation strategies for web, mobile, and desktop applications.

• Implement test tools and frameworks that will help us release with confidence.

Initiate

Initiate discussions both within and outside the extended team.

Initiative

Initiative - identifying and negotiating appropriate personal development opportunities.

Integrate

Integrate test automation with Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment pipelines.

Keep

Keep up to date on best practice systems and processes in testing.

Lead

• Lead defect life-cycle management.

• Lead system set-up and maintenance efforts.

• Lead the transition of our Selenium based test automation to a modern JavaScript based framework.

Leverage

Leverage Agile / Scrum-enabling test execution tools.

Liaise with

Liaise with the development team to assist with troubleshooting.

Maintain

• Maintain and extend existing on-premise software systems.

• Maintain a solid understanding of software testing best practices, methodologies, and terminologies.

• Maintain of test equipment and the test library environment.

• Maintain the highest degree of honesty and integrity at all times.

Make

• Make decisions which impact the success of assigned work, i.e. results, deadlines and budget.

• Make suggestions for improving test plan and tests.

Manage

• Manage and build out test automation framework in Squish test automation tool.

• Manage and mitigate risks.

• Manage testing-related Defects / Issues / Risks.

• Manage the Automation Test team.

• Manage the test data and test environment.

Mentor

• Mentor junior members of the team on various technical issues on need basis.

• Mentor junior test members.

Monitor

• Monitor and analyze automated test execution results for accuracy and reliability.

• Monitor interpret results and facilitate issue resolution.

• Monitor jobs during stress cycles using data logging routines.

• Monitor performance and reports status.

• Monitor software quality via continuous and iterative testing approach.

Participate in

• Participate and contribute to the Lessons Learned Sessions.

• Participate in Agile development processes and ceremonies.

• Participate in backlog refinement.

• Participate in code reviews to ensure testability and maintainability of software.

• Participate in daily standups, provide feedback and escalate issues accordingly.

• Participate in detailed review walkthrough sessions.

• Participate in development of test tools and test scripts.

• Participate in knowledge transition activities.

• Participate in preparation and support of customer acceptance processes.

• Participate in rectifying performance issues if development requires additional detail.

• Participate in Sprint planning and release planning.

• Participate in technical communication within the team and other groups.

• Participate in the development of IT strategic Quality Assurance plan.

• Participate in the identification of the testing configuration for the overall solution.

Perform

• Perform API Automation and back end testing, as needed.

• Perform compatibility testing to ensure software functionality across multiple platforms.

• Perform entry-level activities to design and develop new software and hardware to test new products.

• Perform manual and exploratory tests with the goal of automation.

• Perform manual test execution on target hardware and run automated test case suites.

• Perform regression testing to ensure that software changes do not introduce new issues.

• Perform requirements and user story analysis to create detailed test designs and conditions.

• Perform software development tasks as needed.

Plan

Plan own work to meet given objectives and processes to ensure quality.

Prepare

• Prepare and execute manual test cases in Jira.

• Prepare test reports on test results and problems and provide initial issue analysis.

• Prepare user documentation or provide inputs for creating user documentation as required.

Provide

• Provide application software testing services and technical support typically in a defined project.

• Provide application testing services, and related applications.

• Provide application testing services for on-premise applications.

• Provide automated test development services.

• Provide consultation on the most complex testing strategies.

• Provide guidance to various teams on best practice for performing Manual and Automated Testing.

• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior members of the automation testing team.

• Provide reports on progress, anomalies, risks and issues associated with the overall project.

• Provide services leading a small team of Solutions Testers.

• Provide specialist advice to support others.

• Provide support and assistance during software releases and production deployments.

• Provide technical support for developed applications.

• Provide training to project core team members covering automation activities as needed.

Recommend

• Recommend and justify changes to existing products, services and processes.

• Recommend / develop improvements.

• Recommend suggested solutions to problems.

Report

• Report automation run status.

• Report daily on any issues and test progress to the Test Manager.

• Report / locate / verify bug and make test report.

• Report on system quality and collects metrics on test cases.

• Report, submit and track defects in programs.

Research

Research new technologies and testing methodologies.

Review

• Review design specs and develop plan for testing a product.

• Review testing processes and standards as well as ensuring team members' adherence to compliance.

Seek

Seek increased responsibilities and takes ownership of tasks at hand.

Setup

Setup, integrate and develop highly efficient and reliable test infrastructure.

Solve

• Solve complex problems with some assistance.

• Solve unique and complex problems that have a broad impact on the business.

Stay updated on

Stay updated on industry best practices and emerging trends in test automation.

Store

Store them securely in our wallet, spend them with our payment card.

Suggest

Suggest, evaluate, do feasibility study of development and deployment technology.

Support

• Support Burn-in board development and validation.

• Support defect / issue resolution and retesting based on the change control.

• Support development teams to verify and / or reproduce reported issues.

• Support everyone's efforts to succeed.

• Support others in maintaining existing software.

Test

• Test case design and peer review.

• Test GPU driver with scripts for games.

Track

• Track issues to successful resolution.

• Track, manage and resolve defects using JIRA.

• Track quality assurance metrics, including defect densities and open defect counts.

Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot, debug, and solve software and hardware for Burn-in test related problems.

• Troubleshoot to resolve of customer escalations.

Understand

• Understand and follow required Processes / Documentation.

• Understand and provide insight on the test infrastructure.

• Understand defect management and work closely with Software Engineers on defect resolution.

• Understand regional cultural considerations and form tight working relationships.

• Understand requirements and implement test execution.

• Understand requirements in area of defined tasks.

Use

Use hardware testing equipment (oscilloscopes, sig-gen, spectrum analyzer, etc).

Utilize

Utilize automated testing tools to build and execute tests.

Work with

• Work closely across teams through the design and development process.

• Work closely with other project groups to increase the quality of software delivered.

• Work closely with other team members to increase the quality of software delivered.

• Work closely with the members of the Test team and the development team to solve the issues.

• Work directly with Product Owners and Architects to define quality bars.

• Work through the software development process.

• Work with business team to understand E2E Process flows for business functions for wealth domain.

• Work with defect manager for defect triaging.

• Work with engineers for advanced algorithm / functionality development.

• Work with teams to make testing an integral part of the software development process.

Write

• Write product specifications, design documents or test plans.

• Write quality code and may review others code for defect.

• Write / run tests in bounded product areas.

• Write scripts for identified test cases.

• Write thorough test plans / test protocols, test cases, test scripts, and test scenarios.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Automation Test Engineer:

1. Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C#.

2. Strong knowledge of test automation frameworks, such as Selenium or Appium.

3. Experience with Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment tools like Jenkins or GitLab.

4. Familiarity with version control systems, such as Git or SVN.

5. Ability to write clear and efficient automated test scripts.

6. Knowledge of software testing methodologies and best practices.

7. Understanding of web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

8. Familiarity with API testing and tools like Postman or SoapUI.

9. Experience with database testing and SQL querying.

10. Knowledge of performance testing tools like JMeter or LoadRunner.

11. Understanding of Agile development methodologies and practices.

12. Experience with test management tools like Jira or TestRail.

13. Knowledge of mobile testing frameworks like XCTest or Espresso.

14. Familiarity with cloud-based testing platforms like AWS Device Farm or BrowserStack.

15. Proficiency in Linux/Unix environments and command-line tools.

16. Understanding of software development lifecycle and QA processes.

17. Knowledge of containerization technologies like Docker.

18. Experience with test case management and test execution tracking.

19. Ability to troubleshoot and debug automation test failures.

20. Familiarity with security testing concepts and tools.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Automation Test Engineer:

1. Analytical Thinking: The ability to analyze complex systems and identify potential areas for improvement in testing processes.

2. Attention to Detail: Being meticulous and thorough in designing test cases, executing tests, and documenting results.

3. Problem-solving: Having a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues encountered during test automation.

4. Communication: Effectively communicating with cross-functional teams, developers, and stakeholders to ensure clear understanding of requirements and test results.

5. Collaboration: Working collaboratively with team members and stakeholders to achieve common testing goals and deliver high-quality software.

6. Time Management: Prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced testing environment.

7. Adaptability: Being flexible and open to embracing new technologies, tools, and methodologies as the testing landscape evolves.

8. Continuous Learning: Having a thirst for knowledge and actively seeking opportunities to enhance technical skills and stay up-to-date with industry trends.

9. Critical Thinking: Applying logical reasoning and evaluating different scenarios to make informed decisions during test design and execution.

10. Teamwork: Being a team player and actively contributing to a positive and supportive work environment.

Conclusion

By possessing a combination of these hard and soft skills, Automation Test Engineers can effectively fulfill their responsibilities and contribute to the success of software development projects. It is worth noting that the specific skills and responsibilities may vary depending on the industry, organization, and project requirements, but the outlined list provides a comprehensive overview of the core aspects of being an Automation Test Engineer.