How To Hire a Test Automation Engineer

Complete with job descriptions, skill profiles, and interview templates. Use this Test Automation Engineer hiring guide to help you make the right decisions, fast.

TEST AUTOMATION ENGINEER RECRUITMENT GUIDE

What does a Test Automation Engineer do?

Test Automation Engineers use a whole suite of tools for many different applications in order to thoroughly test and verify software is performing its functionality correctly over a long period of time. Automation testing is extremely beneficial to ensure software operates the same through major upgrades. This practice allows for bugs to be picked up early and decreases the chance of human error which can happen easily through manual testing.

Day to day tasks of a Test Automation Engineer

Revisit old tests and refactor them
Analyze software designs to create plan test plans
Use test automation tools to implement tests apart of test plans
Stay up to date with test automation technologies and their advancements
Clarify requirements with developers
Document bugs that have been identified

Recruitment guide role overview illustration

TEST AUTOMATION ENGINEER DEFINITION

Test Automation Engineers work within the QA arm of software development and use a plethora of tools to automate testing of software on a large scale to run tests on software.

HIRING PROCESS

Test Automation Engineer Hiring Process

1
STEP 1
2
STEP 2
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STEP 3
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STEP 4
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STEP 5

STEP 1

Build the Ideal Candidate Profile

To find the best person for the role, you need to understand what the role involves. You can complete this with the hiring manager to define the role, its contribution, and the skills needed.

STEP 2

Write A Job Description Based On Skills

Once you understand the requirements for the role, you’ll need to understand the skills for success. You can then write an effective job description to promote your role.

STEP 3

Selecting The Ideal Candidate

See which applicants have the right skills for the role. Send all your applicants a Vervoe skills assessment from the expert library, or customize one for your organization.

STEP 4

Interview Top Performers

Your skills assessment results will identify top performers. Focus your time on interviewing those that have met or exceeded your requirements. Assessment results will also help guide which skill areas to focus on in the interview.

STEP 5

Making An Offer

Once you assess your candidates against these skills, you’re ready to offer the top performer(s). You should base your offer on the value that the candidate would bring to your team and your business as a whole. It is also important to ensure your compensation and benefits packages are competitive in the industry and help you attract and retain the top talent.

BUILD THE IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Skills needed for a Test Automation Engineer

In order to be a Test Automation Engineer and for candidates to excel in this role, there are some prerequisite skills such as having a fundamental understanding of programming languages like Java and Python, knowledge and implementation of automation tools and fundamental knowledge of quality assurance.

Communication
Selenium

WRITE A JOB DESCRIPTION BASED ON SKILLS

How to write a Test Automation Engineer job description

Once you’ve determined the skills required for the role, you can write the job description to advertise for your position. Here’s what to include in your Test Automation Engineer job description:

Job Title: What position are you hiring for?
Summary: What makes your company unique? What would it be like to work for you?
Responsibilities: An overview of the role’s day-to-day activities, and how the position contributes to the organization
Requirements: Skills a candidate must have to perform the job successfully
Benefits: Details of compensation, benefits, and any perks on offer

Use our sample Test Automation Engineer job description

SELECTING THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Sample skill tests for a Test Automation Engineer

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Question 1

Communication

Question Type: Audio

You are mentoring a new employee who would like to eventually become a Test Automation Engineer. They ask you when you should and should not automate tests. Record your response.

Question 2

Selenium - Javascript

Question Type: Code

Write some code to print the current tab's website title in a javascript selenium driver.

Question 3

Selenium - Python

Question Type: Multiple Choice

What is the correct way to import the web driver for the chrome browser?

INTERVIEW TOP PERFORMERS

How to interview a Test Automation Engineer

Once your Vervoe skills assessment has surfaced the most qualified people for your open role, you can focus on interviewing these candidates. The interview should focus on any skills that require development that were highlighted from the skills assessment.

Now you know that candidates can do the job, the interview becomes more of a relationship building exercise where you can get to know the candidate on a more personal level, understand their motivations, and how they would fit in with the team.

MAKING AN OFFER

How much does it cost to hire a Test Automation Engineer?

The USA average salary for a Test Automation Engineer is $79,931 with ninety percent earning up to $94,846 and the lowest ten percent earning up to $60,030 according to Salary.com. Whereas, Payscale.com USA reports a slightly higher average salary as $72,172.

United States

Test Automation Engineer salaries in the United States range from $56,000 - $102,000 (USD). These engineers' salaries in the U.S depend greatly on the superiority of the position and industry of the company.

Source: Source: Glassdoor USA - Test Automation Engineer Salaries

United Kingdom

Test Automation Engineer salaries in the United Kingdom range from £30,000 - £59,000 (GBP). Test Automation Engineer salaries in the UK vary largely based on the skills of the individual, location and industry of the company.

Source: Source: Glassdoor UK - Test Automation Engineer Salaries

Australia

Test Automation Engineer salaries in Australia range from $59,000 - $124,000 (AUD). Test Automation Engineer salaries usually depend on the type of industry the job is within as well as location and seniority.

Source: Source: Glassdoor AU - Test Automation Engineer Salaries