A job description for the test automation engineer you actually need.Technical depth, results-tracking discipline, continuous skill growth.

• Job Title: Automated Test Engineer
• Reports To: Test Manager

Participate in the test automation tool selection process; develop and execute automated test suites using COTS and custom tools; integrate test suites into the test management system and custom test harnesses; and, perform other testing-related duties as required.

• Review requirements, specifications, user documentation, help files, and other project documentation to assure quality of the products and tests to be developed; i.e., perform manual static testing.
• Select and develop appropriate test automation tools, applying the latest techniques in test automation; e.g., data-driven testing.
• Use risk-driven techniques to develop, maintain, and execute automated test suites for various Software Cafeteria products; i.e., perform automated dynamic testing.
• Work with the Development team to capture and reuse automated Unit Test Cases, Test Stubs and Drivers, and other Development test objects.
• Participate in the Change Control Board to identify the quality implications of known bugs and the impact of proposed changes to product definition on the testing process.
• Work with the Release Engineering team to create and maintain an automated nightly build verification ("smoke") test.
• Ensure proper version control and configuration management of all test objects developed and test environments used.

• Research and document bug reports following agreed-upon processes immediately upon discovery of a quality problem.
• Update test execution status following agreed-upon processes as part of regularly-scheduled test status updates.
• Trace test cases and results back to specific quality risks.
• Assist the Test Manager in the creation of test project status reports and metrics (e.g., Test Dashboard).

• Provide the Test Manager with accurate and precise estimates for assigned task duration, along with confidence levels and foreseeable dependencies.
• Assist the Test Manager in preparing test plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Participate in tester interviews, including administering "audition interviews" for Manual Test Engineer, Test Automation Engineer, and Test Technician candidates.
• Provide technical guidance to junior-level test engineers and/or test technicians assigned to assist the Test Automation Engineer.
• Provide the Test Manager with performance assessments for assigned junior personnel.

• If the Bachelor Degree requirement has been waived, enroll in an approved course of study towards a Bachelor Degree as described under the Employee Career Development Assistance Program.
• Once the Bachelor Degree requirement is satisfied, enroll in an approved continuing education program as described under the Employee Career Development Assistance Program.
• Participate in a quarterly test team critical skills assessment and management session with the Test Manager, setting and achieving skills growth in at least three agreed-upon areas per quarter through internal (cross-training) and external (seminar/tutorial/conference) skills growth opportunities.
• Subscribe to and read one or more journals or trade magazines related to software testing and/or software quality as described under the Employee Career Development Assistance Program.
• Purchase, read, and present a Test Team Training Session on one or more books per quarter related to software testing and/or software quality as described under the Employee Career Development Assistance Program.

• Develop and maintain good professional working relationships, especially within the test team and with those who interact regularly with the test team.
• Focus on the important testing and project priorities as agreed-upon with the test manager.
• Effectively balance curiosity about tests, test results, and bugs with project constraints on budget and schedule.
• Exhibit a demeanor of professional pessimism; i.e., in a pleasant and non-confrontational fashion work with determination to find, document, and advocate the repair of bugs.
• Show initiative in setting and meeting goals within an environment of managed change.
• Understand the role of testing within the software development lifecycle and business-related project constraints, and effectively advocate for the best possible customer experience of product quality within those parameters.