Document · Job Description

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

A detailed job description for an Automated Test Engineer, structured around the four dimensions that make the role succeed: technical skill, results tracking, team contribution, and career growth.

Sections
6
Level
IC / Senior IC
Use for
Hiring, career paths

Key Takeaways

Four things to remember.

01

Function, not tools

The Function section names what the role does, not which frameworks it uses. Tools are a separable appendix.

02

Results tracking is part of the role

Reporting bugs, updating status, tracing cases back to risks — these are duties, not afterthoughts.

03

Management contribution is explicit

Even a non-manager automation engineer contributes to estimates, plans, interviews, and junior mentoring. Name that contribution here so it is not invisible at review time.

04

Career growth is a deliverable

Skills growth, continuing education, journal subscriptions, book presentations — these are part of the job, not discretionary extras.

Overview

Most automation JDs we are asked to review read like a list of tools ("Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, Java, Python, ..."). The tools matter, but they are the easy part — they change every 18 months. What does not change is the shape of the work.

This JD captures that shape. Use it as a starting point; adapt the tool list and seniority calibration to your context.

01

Summary

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

02

Function

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.

03

Duties — Technical

  • 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.

04

Duties — Results Tracking and Reporting

  • 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).

05

Duties — Management and Supervisory

  • 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.

06

Duties — Skills, Education, and Career Growth

  • 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.

07

Attitudes and Initiative

  • 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.

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