Automation Engineer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an automation engineer. Feel free to use our automation engineer job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an automation engineer.
Who is an Automation Engineer?
While automation has been an integral part of the manufacturing sector for many decades, it is relatively new in the finance, healthcare, and business sectors. IT automation is often focused on service automation and quality assurance testing of automated processes. An automation engineer’s goal is to find and fix defects and errors in product or software development, as well as problems related to customer service or business processes.
Automated chatbots are becoming more popular in businesses to solve customer problems or direct customers to the right person. Automation engineers also help to implement this technology. Automating IT support desk tickets, service management, and delivery of quality software and products faster and with fewer defects is another use for automation. Automation engineers aim to decrease the workload of workers, improve efficiency and reliability, and streamline redundant and inconsistent manual processes.
An automation engineer is an expert in engineering automation. They use technology to automate, streamline and improve manufacturing processes. They modify existing technology or create new systems that require less human interaction. Then they monitor the performance of these changes. There are two types of automation engineers: software engineers who use programming languages and traditional engineers who work on machines.
Automation engineers program, simulate and test automated machinery and processes. They are often found in various industries such as energy plants, automotive manufacturing facilities, food processing plants, and other environments that use robotics.
Many industries depend on various machinery and equipment to produce, so they are often employed in manufacturing companies as process engineers, plant engineers, and executive engineers. They can also be lecturers at universities, researchers at different institutions or organizations, and consultants to clients.
Different tools used by automation engineers include:
- Computers
A computer stores code and executes it. Computers are used by engineers to control and manage automation for online services as well as physical machinery.
- Programming languages
Engineers can use programming languages such as Python, C#, and Java to create programs that automate software. Traditional engineers might also create programs to monitor their physical systems.
- Measurement sensors
These sensors can be either physical or software-based. They always measure the information that is being sent to the control panel. The type of sensor used will depend on the information required by the control panel to make a decision.
Control Panel: They act as intermediaries between inputs, outputs. They receive information from the input and then, according to the engineer’s requirements, provide instructions for the output.
- Actuators
These are the outputs of an actuator. They act according to the control. These could be physical devices such as pistons and rotors, or software systems that provide information like the location of a mouse pointer on a screen.
Automation Engineer Job Description
Below are the automation engineer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an automation engineer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an automation engineer include the following:
- Drawing up ideas for automated software testing procedures
- Automating software programs and writing automation scripts.
- Designing and installing software databases
- Troubleshooting software automation and finalizing system procedures.
- Identifying quality issues and creating test reports.
- Collaborating with the design team to resolve application problems.
- Programming new automation components
- Writing reports and identifying quality issues
- Implementing improvements in existing automation in machine assembly, machining, and inspection.
- Developing and implementing maintenance programs for equipment
- Preparing manufacturing documentation
- Coordinating projects
- Assisting in the leadership of meetings with team members and hourly associates
- Using tooling to manage gauge design and drawings
Qualifications
When considering candidates for automation engineer positions, most require a bachelor’s level degree. These are the requirements and certifications required for this job.
Bachelor’s degree
When hiring automation engineers, employers typically seek candidates with strong science backgrounds.
A bachelor’s degree in any of the backgrounds below is required for this role.
- Automation
- Computer science
- Process control
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
You must pass the Fundamentals exam to become an engineer in training. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering’s Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is required to obtain state licensure for professional engineers. This test is open to college seniors and recent graduates. It measures the student’s college education and prepares them for the next stage of NCEES testing.
Certified Automation Professional (CAP).
After passing an exam to test your automation engineering skills, the International Society of Automation (ISA), will award this CAP certificate. This exam tests your automation knowledge, including design, system integration, and documentation. This certification is for engineers who are more experienced.
Certified Control System Technician (CCST)
The CCST is another ISA certification that has three levels of testing which determine your experience in automation engineering. This certification can be used to gain promotions or raises by employers and provides proof of your expertise.
Essential Skills
- Leadership
Automation engineers might need to manage an engineering team when starting a new project that automates a system. To ensure that new or modified systems are efficient for clients, leadership skills are essential. This team’s automation engineer is likely to know the most about automation. They can guide their team through design plans, client requirements, and implementation. This skill is valuable because it allows clients to have more efficient results.
- Innovation
An automation engineer is a person who looks for ways to improve their automated processes and increase productivity. This is possible by being active in their engineering networks, keeping an eye on rapidly changing technologies, and seeking out additional information to improve their plans.
- Programming
Automation engineers need to be proficient in programming to build their systems. This could be computer programs such as coding software solutions or physical programming, such as robotic assembly lines. Programming systems to create outputs and take inputs according to certain requirements is an essential function of automation.
- Mechanical knowledge
Traditional automation engineers who deal with mechanical pieces of equipment are more skilled than software engineers. Automating a system efficiently is possible when the automation engineer understands the client’s mechanical systems. Engineers might also be required to build and maintain machines as well as fix any problems that may arise.
- Written communication
Automation engineers must be able to write. This skill helps clients, their team, and all other engineers who come across their systems. Engineers design and implement technology. They write reports and documentation to explain the technology to their clients. Clear, detailed reports and documentation help clients to be fully informed about their systems.
- Verbal communication
Automation engineers must be able to communicate with clients and their teams in other ways than writing. Clear communication between the client and engineer ensures that the engineer is fully informed about the project’s requirements. Engineers should also be able to communicate with their colleagues and clients to provide instructions and directions.
- Flexibility
Automation engineers use science to build their automated processes. However, it is important to be flexible and not just follow the established procedures. Engineers can be creative in how they implement their systems. Engineers should also be able to adapt to an original plan to suit the client’s requirements if it doesn’t work out.
- Troubleshooting skills
Many automated engineers design systems that automate troubleshooting. To be able to develop and implement a method in a design, it is important to understand the technical aspects involved in troubleshooting. To test new solutions, you should be able to perform basic and advanced troubleshooting.
- Problem-solving and critical-thinking
Automation engineers apply their critical thinking skills to create practical solutions for complex automation processes. Automation engineers will often perform analysis, monitoring, and testing to develop and implement new automation ideas. You will need to be able to think critically and solve problems to fix technical issues or optimize complex processes.
- Attention to detail
Automation engineers can be detail-oriented and complete routine tasks to troubleshoot and test systems. This includes identifying bugs, quality issues, and other problems at each stage of development. Different designs have their specific requirements, so you need to be familiar with all details and cross-check them regularly to ensure the best automation system.
- Networking
This should be obvious. It is essential to have basic networking knowledge. You can use python to monitor ACI network resources or to set up tenants in ACI. It is important to get a good understanding of the infrastructure and technology that you are trying to automate. Network+ and the CCNA are good places to start. These certifications will give you the foundational networking knowledge that you need.
- Version Control
Version control is essential when we make and track changes to code, scripts, documentation, and everything else. GIT is an excellent version control tool. This is how GitHub tracks changes to a developer’s code. GitHub allows you to upload, download and merge your code remotely. To fully embrace network automation, you need to learn git via the command line. Linux is not required to get started. Once you have downloaded it for Windows, you will be able to install the bash shell. Start using git right away, as there will be times when you need to make changes to your code. Make sure to pay close attention to any directories you add to staging.
How to Become an Automation Engineer
- Gain hands-on experience
Automation engineering is best learned by gaining practical experience. You can learn coding and testing using many open-source software tools. Software to assist engineers in identifying software testing tasks that can be automated and run with minimal human input.
This allows you to discover which tools are best suited for the specific applications or projects being tested. You can develop your skills and create a portfolio to show employers your knowledge by taking on automation projects.
- Learn a programming language
You will need to know a few key object-oriented programming languages to become an automation engineer. You can learn to code by taking college-level or online courses, attending coding boot camps, or using the tutorials and free resources available online. You can also practice building websites and interactive websites. You can learn how to code and use advanced tools for automation engineering.
- Learn about manual testing
Manual testing involves an engineer performing test cases step by step, while automated testing is performed using automation frameworks or tools. There is one major difference between these two types of testing: who executes the test case (human or machine). Manual testing can include:
- Analyzing test designs and test plans
- Test cases
- Executing tests, debugging, and making revisions
- To ensure functionality, re-run the tests
- In-depth knowledge of the manual process is important for creating an automation strategy. You can also gain an edge over other automation engineers by understanding manual testing concepts.
- Create a portfolio
A portfolio is a great way for employers to see your work and highlight your strengths. You can include a variety of projects in your portfolio such as web browser automation or mobile automation. Diversifying your portfolio will allow you to demonstrate that you have a broad skill set by focusing on different areas of automation.
Programming portfolio sites and coding forums are great places for presenting your projects to employers so they can review and access them. To highlight your projects, you can also make a website.
- You can get an advanced degree
Companies prefer applicants with master’s degrees. Even though you have an advanced degree, you can still apply to engineer jobs. To improve your resume, you might consider working in an industry such as food processing, biotechnology, or systems design. Through on-the-job training, these industries can provide the opportunity to gain valuable experience and skills.
- Apply for jobs
You should look for jobs in automation engineering in your local area that fit your chosen specialty. Get in touch with professors and mentors from internships. Online job searches are also possible. Make a list of the jobs you are interested in and create a resume that is specific to each one. You should highlight specific skills and experience in your resume to meet the requirements of a job description.
Keep track of the jobs that you have applied for and which ones you wish to continue your search for. Make sure you practice interview questions before you get contacted by a company. This will help you make a good impression.
Where to Work
When creating and analyzing data, reviewing project requirements, or designing systems, automation engineers usually work in an office environment. When testing and inspecting equipment and systems, they might also be outdoors.
Automation Engineer Salary Scale
An average annual salary for an automation engineer in the United States is $96,377. The amount you earn will depend on your work experience and where you work.