Builds and maintains automated test suites for UI, API and integration layers.
Entry
Intermediate
Coding
High
Key skills
Common progression
Career overview
The Automation Test Engineer designs, builds and maintains automated test suites across UI, API and integration layers. They choose tools, structure frameworks, handle flakiness and integrate everything into CI. The role bridges QA and development, and leads to QA Automation Engineer, SDET or Test Lead positions.
Main responsibilities
- Build and maintain test automation
- Define test strategy and plans
- Report, track and verify defects
- Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines
- Keep technical documentation up to date
- Prepare and execute change requests in production
- Analyse application logs to identify root causes
- Mentor junior team members and review their work
- Automate recurring tasks with scripts
- Design and document REST APIs
Technical skills
Technologies
Education level
Education requirements vary depending on the company, country and experience. Professional experience, certifications and technical skills can sometimes compensate for formal education.
High School / Bac
Less common
Bac+2 (2-year degree)
Less common
Bac+3 (Bachelor)
Common entry point
Bac+5 (Master / Engineering)
Common entry point
Experience & coding level
Experience level
Coding level
Useful certifications
Certifications are never mandatory. They are one way among others to prove a skill.
- ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineer
- Selenium Certification
- Cypress.io Certification
Where can this career take you?
Multiple paths are possible. Click a role to open its profile.
Direct progression
Possible branches
Where can you go next?
Realistic next career moves, with compatibility and a transition roadmap for each.
Overlap: 26% · Difficulty: Easy
Skills to learn: Framework architecture, CI/CD pipelines, Parallel & grid testing
View roadmapOverlap: 38% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: API & contract testing, CI/CD engineering, Service virtualisation
View roadmapOverlap: 24% · Difficulty: Easy
Skills to learn: API testing (REST/GraphQL/gRPC), Contract testing (Pact), Schema validation
View roadmapOverlap: 25% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: Appium / Espresso / XCUITest, Device farms, Network simulation
View roadmapWhere can you go from here?
A typical progression built from real career relationships. Click any role to open its profile.
Soft skills
- Analytical thinking
- Problem solving
- Rigour and attention to detail
- Autonomy
- Clear communication
- Sense of ownership
Common previous careers
Roles that frequently lead into this career.
Overlap: 34% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: Programming (Java/Python/JS), UI automation (Selenium/Cypress), API automation
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Keep moving: compare roles, follow a roadmap, read a guide or prepare for an interview.
Ready to explore your next step?
A documented transition from this role to the next.
Automation Test EngineerQA Automation Engineer
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