How to Be Automation Engineer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 2, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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FAQ

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The need for Automation Engineers is becoming increasingly important as technology advances, leading to a greater demand for automation processes in all areas of industry. This increased demand has a direct effect on the job market, resulting in an increase in the number of Automation Engineers required to develop, maintain, and optimize automated systems. Automation Engineers must understand various programming languages and be able to use them to effectively create and implement automated solutions.

Furthermore, Automation Engineers must be knowledgeable in a range of computer hardware and software, and be able to troubleshoot any technical issues that may arise. With this knowledge and expertise, Automation Engineers are able to create seamless automation solutions that help businesses reduce costs, improve efficiency and accuracy, and reduce human error.

Steps How to Become

Pursue a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming an Automation Engineer is to pursue a bachelor's degree in an engineering field such as electrical, mechanical, computer, or software engineering. Courses in this field will provide the technical knowledge and skills needed to work in the automation industry.
Develop Your Automation Skills. Automation engineers should become familiar with automation software and hardware. This may include programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and robotics.
Get Certified. Automation engineers should consider getting certified in their chosen field. This may include certifications from organizations such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) or the International Society of Automation (ISA).
Gain Experience. Gaining practical experience in the automation engineering field is essential. This may include internships, apprenticeships, or job shadowing experienced automation engineers.
Advance Your Career. Automation engineers should strive to stay up-to-date on the latest technology and advancements in the field. This may include attending conferences, reading industry publications, and participating in professional development programs. With experience and knowledge, automation engineers can advance their careers into more specialized roles such as system integrators or software developers.

To become a skilled and qualified Automation Engineer, one must have a solid foundation in mathematics, engineering and computer programming. This requires an understanding of complex algorithms and an ability to think analytically. Furthermore, a strong knowledge of electrical, mechanical and pneumatic systems is needed to properly design and implement automation solutions.

excellent problem solving and troubleshooting skills are essential to resolving any issues that may arise during the automation process. Finally, the Automation Engineer must possess a good grasp of the latest technology and be able to work in a fast-paced environment. All of these components are essential for successful automation engineering and will help ensure quality results.

You may want to check Design Engineer, Environmental Engineer, and Systems Engineer for alternative.

Job Description

Design and develop automated systems, processes, and software to improve system performance.
Monitor and troubleshoot existing systems to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
Develop and maintain technical documentation to support automation systems.
Develop scripts to automate repeatable processes and tasks.
Create tools and applications to improve system productivity and efficiency.
Implement system upgrades and changes as required.
Work with stakeholders to define automation requirements, goals, and objectives.
Analyze current systems to identify areas for improvement or automation.
Research and evaluate emerging automation technologies and products.
Train users on automated systems and processes.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Programming/Scripting Skills
Knowledge of Automation Tools
Understanding of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Analytical Thinking
Technical Documentation Experience
Problem-Solving Skills
Excellent Communication Skills
Knowledge of Robotics Process Automation (RPA)
Experience with Test Automation Frameworks
Knowledge of Networking Protocols and Technologies
Ability to Work in a Team Environment
Self-Motivated and Proactive

Automation engineering is a fast-growing field that requires a diverse set of skills to be successful. The most important skill for an automation engineer is the ability to think critically and solve problems. This involves analyzing complex systems, devising solutions, and managing complex projects.

Being able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with other professionals is also essential. Automation engineers must also be familiar with a range of programming languages, including C++, Java, and Python, as well as software development tools such as Git and Jenkins. they must have a strong understanding of databases and networking protocols.

Lastly, they must be able to stay up to date with the latest technologies and industry trends. Having these skills sets them apart from other engineers and enables them to provide high-quality solutions that drive business success.

Aerospace Engineers, Research Engineer, and Acoustical Engineer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with automation engineering?
How do you stay up to date with new developments in automation engineering?
What challenges have you faced when working with automated systems?
Describe a successful automation project you have completed.
How do you ensure that automation systems remain efficient and effective?
What factors do you consider when creating an automated system?
What experience do you have with coding languages such as Python and Java?
Describe your experience debugging and troubleshooting automation systems.
How do you manage competing deadlines and prioritize tasks?
What strategies do you use to ensure customer satisfaction with automated systems?

Common Tools in Industry

Selenium. Automation testing tool used to test web applications. (eg: automated web page loading tests)
Jenkins. Continuous integration server used to automate software development processes. (eg: build & package deployments)
Puppet. Configuration management tool used to automate system administration tasks. (eg: deployment & configuration of software)
Ansible. IT automation and configuration management tool used to manage applications and infrastructure. (eg: deploying and configuring applications)
Test Complete. Automated testing platform for web, desktop, and mobile applications. (eg: automated GUI testing)
Cucumber. Test automation framework used to write acceptance tests for web applications. (eg: automated acceptance tests)
TestRail. Test case management tool used to manage and track test cases and results. (eg: tracking test progress & results)
Appium. Mobile application testing framework used to automate testing of native, hybrid, and web applications. (eg: automated UI testing)
Robot Framework. Automated testing framework used to write test cases in a keyword-driven approach. (eg: automated functional tests)
Gherkin. Business-readable language used to define acceptance tests for software applications. (eg: writing automated acceptance tests)

Professional Organizations to Know

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
International Society of Automation (ISA)
Robotics Industries Association (RIA)
Automation Federation
International Automation Federation (IAF)
Open Source Robotics Foundation
Robotic Industries Association Asia (RIAA)
Automation Alliance
Control System Integrators Association (CSIA)

We also have Industrial Engineer, Process Engineer, and Data Engineer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Automation. The use of technology to automate processes, such as a manufacturing process or a computer program, to reduce the time and cost associated with a task.
Robotics. The science and technology of designing, constructing, and operating robots in order to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence and physical labor.
Machine Learning. A subfield of artificial intelligence that focuses on designing computer systems that can learn and adapt over time.
Artificial Intelligence. The study of computer algorithms that enable machines to make decisions and solve problems based on their environment and input data.
Algorithms. A set of instructions used to solve a specific problem or achieve a desired result.
Computer Programming. The process of writing instructions for a computer to execute tasks.
Coding. The process of writing computer code in a programming language to create software applications.
Data Science. The study of collecting and analyzing large datasets to uncover insights, predict outcomes, and make decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Automation Engineer?

An Automation Engineer is a professional who designs, develops, tests and maintains automated systems to replace manual processes.

What skills are needed to be an Automation Engineer?

Automation Engineers need strong technical skills, including experience with programming, systems engineering, industrial automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Additionally, they must have good problem-solving and communication skills.

How long does it take to become an Automation Engineer?

It typically takes four to five years of study and work experience to become an Automation Engineer. This includes earning a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field and gaining hands-on experience in the field.

What is the average salary for an Automation Engineer?

The median annual salary for Automation Engineers is $86,400, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

What industries use Automation Engineers?

Automation Engineers are employed in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas, aerospace, automotive, telecommunications, and healthcare.

Web Resources

Automation Engineer | NC State Online and Distance Education online-distance.ncsu.edu
Automation Engineer Technology Courses | Johnson County www.jccc.edu
Automation Engineering Technology - Associate Degree www.nwtc.edu