Automation Tester Roles and Responsibilities - Key Duties

A web developer perfects the application to the best that it can be, but what does the developer do after that? Who organizes the quality of the applications received? Does that even matter? Yes, definitely yes. We have an automation test engineer to test the quality and reliability of software systems.

To develop a high-scale application you have to fulfill the automation  tester roles and responsibilities. In this blog, I will delve deep into the various roles and responsibilities of an automation tester. 

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Who is an Automation Tester?

An automation tester is a professional, who utilises tools and scripts to test computer-related programs. While manual testers perform test cases using a computer manually, automation testers use software to perform the tests, compare the results, and report the gains and losses of the software. 

Throughout my work, I can clearly state that the role of automation tester is very vital for maintaining the quality of software in fast-paced development environments. They help to considerably save time on the validation of new functions or bug fixation.

Real-World Example: For example, when I was working for a well-known tech firm, we faced a massive challenge with the regression testing of a large-scale application. Manual testing was taking endless time and the company was losing an immeasurable amount of money and other resources. Mostly through the use of an automation testing framework, we were able to reduce our regression testing time from the previous time by 70%, Therefore we were able to release our systems quickly and still maintain high quality.

Prerequisites to Become an Automation Test Engineer

To become an efficient automation tester, you have to be technical, know testing frameworks, and have an understanding of the software development life cycle. Here are the essential prerequisites: 

• Programming Skills: Preferably Java, Python, or C# Language skills are necessary to become an automation tester. Automation testers write scripts for automated test cases. Extensive coding skills are crucial in this case. 

• Knowledge of Testing Frameworks: It is also necessary to have familiarity with tools such as Selenium, QTP, or Junit. Many of these tools assist in the generation, organization, and running of efficient automated tests.

• Understanding of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC): Understanding the interactions of the different phases of SDLC with testing enables one to come up with efficient test strategies.

• Experience with Version Control Systems: Tools like Git will assist in managing and tracking any alteration on the test scripts and also facilitate interaction with the development teams.

• Analytical Skills: Automation testers have to understand and break requirements into testable functionalities and write good test cases for the identified scenarios.

Why Become an Automation Tester?

If you start your career as an automation tester, it will open up a lot of opportunities for your career. The career of an Automation Test Engineer is driven not only by the reduction of human involvement in testing processes but also by market demands and the consistent push for higher standards. Here are the main reasons for pursuing a career in this field

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• High Demand: If we talk about the current market trend, with the help of Agile and DevOps, automation testers’ requirements are high.

• Competitive Salaries: Automation testers are usually paid more than manual testers because they have specific skills and knowledge regarding a certain area.

• Career Growth: There are many growth scopes from a senior automation tester position to a test lead and QA manager role. 

• Skill Development: The technical skills gained while working as an automation tester make an IT professional a valuable asset in any organization or project.

• Versatile and Transferable Skills: Automation testing skills are applicable across industries and offer global job opportunities.

• Innovative Work Environment: Automation testers work with cutting-edge technologies and engage in continuous problem-solving.

• Improved Collaboration: Working in cross-functional teams enhances communication skills and promotes a collaborative work environment.

Top Roles and Responsibilities of Automation Tester

Having a deep insight into the primary automation tester roles and responsibilities is always helpful to be successful in this sector. The primary responsibilities of an automation tester are as follows:

• Test Automation Strategy Development: Among the automation tester roles and responsibilities, test automation strategy development is an important one. An automation tester makes and implements an appropriate test automation plan. Reporting and documentation also incorporate choosing the right tools, identifying test environments, and test automation strategies. 

• Script Development and Maintenance: Writing and maintaining the test scripts is one of the key automation tester roles and responsibilities. This makes sure that the scripts are synchronized with the current changes in the software and provide correct results.

• Test Execution and Reporting: Automation testers are responsible for executing automated test scripts, which are generally written in frameworks like Selenium, Cypress, or JUnit. After running these scripts, they properly analyze the test results and detect if there are any issues or anomalies. 

• Integration with CI/CD Pipelines: Automated tests are usually included in the CI/CD processes to guarantee that tests are run automatically with every code change, providing immediate feedback to developers.

• Performance Testing: Performance testing is one of the key automation tester roles and responsibilities that check the response of the software under various conditions. Various applications are used for this purpose. Example: JMeter. 

• Collaborating with Development Teams: Effective communication with development teams is one of the main automation tester roles and responsibilities. This helps to understand the needs, design test cases, and identify and resolve issues quickly.  

• Maintaining Test Documentation: It is important for an automation tester to create and maintain comprehensive test documentation. This includes writing detailed test cases, scripts, and recording results. Proper documentation ensures transparency, facilitates future testing efforts, and serves as a valuable reference for ongoing and subsequent test cycles.

• Staying Updated with the Latest Tools and Practices: The automation testing field is evolving all the time. Constant learning and staying updated with modern tools, technologies, and best approaches is one of the primary automation tester roles and responsibilities. 

Conclusion

I believe you have grasped the various automation tester roles and responsibilities. It is one of the prominent professions in the Information technology sector in recent days. Thus, candidates willing to be automation testers will for sure rock their careers and climb the ladder of success because the entire world is filled with uncountable chances of job options.

Understanding the automation tester roles and responsibilities enables you to contribute a lot to your organization’s testing and also helps in career growth in this fascinating field.

If you are already planning to be an automation tester, if you are planning to shift your career, or if you are a fresher entering into the professional world, companies like StarAgile provide online training and certification that can help beginners to groom themselves according to the present trend and make them industry ready by providing specialized courses on Automation Testing. Start your career in the automation testing field by taking an Automation Testing Course or Automation Testing Training to be proficient in the automation testing discipline specializing in zero-defect software delivery.

 FAQs

What are some common challenges faced by automation testers?

Some of the common challenges faced by automation testers include maintaining test scripts, dealing with flaky tests, integrating tests with CI/CD pipelines, and staying updated with the latest tools and technologies. Overcoming these challenges requires continuous learning and collaboration with the development team.

What certifications can benefit an automation tester?

ISTQB Test Automation Engineer, Certified Selenium professional, or Certified Automation tester are a few advanced certifications that add a lot to the candidate’s profile and marketability.

What is the difference between manual testing and automation testing?