How to write an automation engineer job description

Automation engineers design and develop systems to automate repetitive tasks, improving your company's productivity and efficiency. 

When hiring automation engineers, a flawed or vague job description can inadvertently attract applicants who lack the necessary skills and experience and impact your projects and company reputation. 

However, a clear and targeted job description will engage candidates who fit your culture and project needs, speeding up the hiring process and enhancing teamwork and project outcomes.

This article guides you through the process of crafting an exceptional job description for an automation engineer. We’ve also included a free job-specific template for your job posts.

What is an automation engineer?

Automation engineers work to eliminate manual processes, making tasks quicker and less prone to errors. The tools and technologies they use can differ greatly depending on the industry. However, the core objective remains the same: to improve efficiency and reliability through automation. 

Automation engineers are essential in several industries, including:

• Manufacturing: Implementing automation for production lines

• Software development: Writing scripts to automate testing and deployment

• Healthcare: Designing automated systems for medical diagnostics and patient management

• Finance: Developing algorithms for automated trading or risk assessment

• Telecommunications: Automating network operations and customer service tasks

• Supply chain and logistics: Streamlining warehouse and delivery systems with automation

Key skills to look for in an automation engineer

• System analysis: Automation engineers must be able to assess systems, identify inefficiencies, and propose automation solutions.

• Troubleshooting skills: When automated processes break, you'll want someone who can identify and solve problems quickly.

• Continuous learning: The tech world changes rapidly. An engineer eager to learn about the latest tools and technologies will keep your processes up-to-date.

• Technical proficiency: Familiarity with automation tools, like Selenium, Jenkins, and Puppet, is often essential in an automation engineering role. These tools aid in automating tasks and managing systems.

• Coding knowledge: An automation engineer is often required to be well-versed in scripting languages, such as Python, Java, or Perl. These languages can be used to create scripts that automate processes previously handled by humans.

• Teamwork: Collaboration with IT teams, developers, and other departments means that interpersonal and communication skills are vital for the role.

• Attention to detail: Small errors in automation can lead to big problems, so precision is crucial.

How to write an effective automation engineer job description

Crafting the right job description for an automation engineer is about pinpointing exactly what you want from a candidate. Here's how:

• Understand the role: At its core, an automation engineer streamlines processes, improving both efficiency and accuracy. They're the bridge between manual tasks and tech solutions.

• Sell the position: Why is your company the best place for an automation engineer? Perhaps you offer continuous learning opportunities or cutting-edge projects.

• Specify the tools: There's a range of tools out there. Do you need expertise in Selenium, Jenkins, or perhaps Robot Framework? Automation engineers are often required to be skilled in specific scripting languages, like Python or Java. Being clear about the tools you use lets candidates gauge whether they’re a good fit for the role.

• Tailor your job description: By clearly defining the role and tailoring your job description to the specific needs of your company, you're more likely to attract the right talent for your automation engineer position. For example, if the role primarily involves test automation, specify so.

• Soft skills matter: This isn't an independent role. Automation engineers interact with IT teams, developers, and even clients. Emphasize the requirement for communication and teamwork.

• Stay unbiased: Avoid gendered language or unnecessary specifics that might deter potential fits.

Automation engineer job description template

This free template offers a comprehensive outline for your automation engineer job description. Modify it to fit your company's specific needs, making sure the description aligns with your company's policies, current technology, and culture.

Company introduction

Give a quick overview of your company, stating its mission, core values, and the type of culture you've established. Describe the work environment and any unique perks that make you a standout employer.

Also, clarify why you're seeking an automation engineer and how this role contributes to your broader company objectives.

Automation engineer job brief

[Company name]

Job Title: [For example, Senior Automation Engineer, Automation Specialist, or Junior Automation Engineer]

Reports to: [For example, the Automation Manager, Director of Operations, or Chief Technical Officer (CTO)]

Position type: [Full-time, part-time, on-site, remote, or hybrid]

[Salary and compensation details]

Responsibilities and duties

• Develop scripts to automate repetitive tasks, improving workflow across departments

• Analyze system requirements to create effective automation designs

• Collaborate with other engineering teams to integrate automated solutions seamlessly

• Execute thorough testing protocols to validate automation system functionality

• Troubleshoot and resolve issues in existing automation setups

• Continuously evaluate and update automation systems for efficiency

• Document processes and system configurations, enabling easier future modifications

Qualifications

Required education level: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or related field.

Required experience:

• At least two years of experience in automation engineering

• Proficiency in scripting languages, like Python or Shell

• Experience with automation testing tools, like Selenium

Preferred education level: Master's degree in engineering, computer science, or related field.

Preferred experience:

• Five years experience in automation engineering

• Certification in automation systems or related technologies

• Experience in project management

Five things to avoid when writing a job description for an automation engineer

Don't fall into these traps when building your automation engineer job description:

1. Being too vague: Be careful of using generic language that could attract an underqualified candidate. Instead, include specific details of the position, such as the tools you expect candidates to know well.

2. Using biased language: Avoid terms that may deter diverse candidates. For example, “We are seeking a dynamic and energetic candidate to join our young team” suggests a preference for younger candidates, leading to age discrimination. Instead, you could say, “We are seeking a candidate to join our innovative and collaborative team.”

3. Ignoring soft skills: Hiring the right automation engineer is not just about their technical prowess. Valuing teamwork and communication is crucial for the role, too.

4. Description overload: Sometimes, less is more. Don't deter potential fits with an overwhelming list of expectations. Stick to the core competencies you require of candidates.

5. Neglecting company culture: Don't forget to sell your workplace culture. Give candidates a reason to want to choose your company over others.

Next steps: Attracting and assessing automation engineer candidates

Once you have a great job description, you’ll want to assess your automation engineer candidates. 

Pre-employment testing platforms, like TestGorilla, provide a streamlined and comprehensive overview of your candidate pool, enabling you to find the right automation engineer for your team. 

TestGorilla offers a wide range of tests relevant to automation engineers, including:

• Coding and scripting tests to measure technical skills

• Personality and culture-add tests to determine if your candidate will fit in with your team and company culture 

• Problem-solving exercises to test logical thinking

Automation Engineer job description FAQs

What are the roles and responsibilities of an automation engineer?

An automation engineer designs, programs, and oversees automated processes to ensure efficiency. They collaborate with teams, debug issues, and constantly work to make company processes more effective.

What does an automation engineer do on a daily basis?

An automation engineer typically reviews systems, troubleshoots issues, develops new automation scripts, and collaborates with IT and development teams to enhance process quality.

What are the benefits of automation engineering?

Automation engineering boosts efficiency, reduces errors, saves time, and significantly cuts costs. It leads to consistent results and frees up the workforce for more complex tasks.

Start hiring the best automation engineers with TestGorilla

Attracting top talent starts with a great job description. For the next stage of the hiring process, use pre-employment testing platforms, like TestGorilla, to help you shortlist and select the most qualified automation engineers. 

With TestGorilla, you can create a custom assessment in minutes by choosing from more than 300 tests. Consider mixing skills-based automation engineer tests and soft skills assessments to get a well-rounded view of each candidate.

For more information, take a quick product tour, or sign up for a free account today.