How to Become a QA Automation Tester

Quality assurance (QA) automation testing is a relatively new role, so you can find multiple paths to breaking into the field. Gaining a solid understanding of the QA automation tester’s role in software development and user experience is a good starting point. From there, you may find it helpful to cultivate relevant skills and earn credentials to help you start your career as a QA automation tester.

QA automation testing is poised for potential growth. Analysts expect the global automation testing market to grow by 17.3 percent by 2030 [1]. Statista estimates that global spending on digital transformation will reach 3.9 trillion USD by 2027 [2]. Together, these statistics help to paint a positive picture for anyone considering working within the industry. 

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What is QA automation?

QA automation is a vital part of the software development process. It relies on specialised tools to quickly and efficiently test software and catch potential problems to help bring it to market faster while maintaining an excellent user experience. The process doesn't just detect problems and allows you to customise testing to the software from the start of each project and replace many time-consuming tasks that QA professionals used to complete manually. 

QA automation enables software developers to continuously test software with high efficiency and frequency, bringing products to the market faster, updating existing software more quickly, and keeping pace with what consumers want. The advantages of QA automation testing include its accuracy, time efficiency, and ability to reuse test scripts. Additionally, you can run automated tests 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a QA automation tester, you would create the framework on which the testing runs.

Types of QA automation testing

As a QA automation tester, you'll work with various testing types to solve specific issues and meet business objectives. For example, you might use it to test the graphical user interface (GUI) to test keystrokes, mouse clicks, and other functions to ensure the user experience will be positive and consistent. 

You can also use QA automation testing to test the application programming interface (API). In this case, you'd use tools to assess the software at its message layer. This allows you to check individual components. It's also an effective way to gauge end-to-end performance for response time, security responses, and other variables. A few commonly used types of QA automation testing include:

• Functional testing: This QA automation test checks to make sure the software performs the functions you require and creates the  output you expect according to the input you provide.

• Performance testing: This nonfunctional test type puts the software under a specific workload and tests for stability and reliability to pinpoint potential performance issues and ensure consistent performance.

• Unit testing: This type tests various functions or software components to ensure each works correctly and assesses elements like the user interface and application behaviour.

• Smoke tests: These tests, often called “build verification testing,” assess the stability of the software’s architecture to ensure all main functions operate as you intend.

What is a QA automation tester?

As a QA automation tester, you'll create designs for automation testing, write testing scripts, manage protocols, and report on all results. You’ll typically work as part of the software development team, interacting with validation engineers and firmware developers. Further in your career, you may go on to lead a team of QA automation testers and seek ways to increase the team's efficiency.

What does a QA automation tester do every day?

Creating verification protocols, writing scripts, designing automation tests, and finding weaknesses within the software you're testing are routine day-to-day tasks you may encounter as a QA automation tester. Other typical responsibilities include:

• Brainstorming ideas for new testing procedures.

• Managing existing QA automation testing and implementing new tests.

• Building an automation framework for all to follow.

• Working with software engineers and designers to solve any issues identified by testing.

• Writing reports based on test findings and maintaining accurate documentation

Requirements for the role of a QA automation tester

Strong technical skills, including coding and framework design, and workplace skills, like communication and teamwork, are necessary. Additionally, you may find a lot of overlap between testing and development, which requires a fair amount of flexibility to navigate successfully. You also must readily adapt to changing needs and collaborate with other team members and others throughout the organisation.

Technical skills

You'll create and manage test automation in this role, which requires substantial technical know-how. Common skills employers require include:

• Proficiency with coding languages such as Python or Java.

• Experience working in framework design.

• Strong foundation in networks, operating systems, and computer hardware.

• Experience working with analytics and artificial intelligence.

• Knowledge of manual testing, automated testing, and QA methodology.

• Proficiency in continuous integration, continuous delivery, and continuous deployment (CI/CD).

Workplace skills

In addition to having strong technical skills, you'll also need to cultivate your human skills, including your ability to communicate with others. In this role, you'll need to be able to express your point of view and collaborate with other team members. Additional skills that many employers look for include:

• Ability to adapt to changing deadlines and team structures.

• Willingness to collaborate with others and look at other team members' points of view.

• Persistence to delve into problems and develop high-performing QA automation tests.

• Ability to place yourself in the end-users place to gain a deeper understanding of expected product performance.

• Desire to continually learn and gain new skills as the QA automation landscape shifts and evolves.

Required experience

Employers prefer hiring people with several years of experience performing automation tests and using tools like testRigor, Mobot, Kobiton, or Katalon. Many QA automation testers start their career paths in fields like QA analysis. Additionally, because employers also look for a solid foundation in working with coding, APIs, and writing scripts.

Educational qualifications

Although it's not a strict requirement, most QA automation testers have a bachelor's degree at a minimum. While it's possible to break into the field with skills, experience, and combination of boot camps or Professional Certificate programmes, earning a degree in computer science or a related field can help you develop the technical skills you’ll need to succeed in this role.

What is the job outlook for QA automation engineers?

The job outlook looks strong—good news if you’re considering this field. QA automation engineers are in demand as automation becomes more popular. Furthermore, the fusion of artificial intelligence with quality assurance by industry leaders, including Infosys, is set to transform the QA landscape. This shift will not only enhance testing efficiency and accuracy but also create new job opportunities. 

What is the average salary for a QA automation engineer?

In addition to above-average job growth, you can anticipate strong earnings potential as a QA automation engineer. The average annual salary is ₹5,62,500, with a possible salary range between 4 lakhs and 8 lakhs [3].

Popular QA automation testing roles to consider

The role of a QA automation tester or engineer can differ depending on client needs and objectives. Additionally, you can pursue different roles based on the certifications you choose to pursue. Five popular options include certified software quality analysts, certified test engineers, certified associates in software testing, International Software Testing Qualifications Board test automation engineers, and certified software quality managers.

Software quality assurance analyst 

Average annual salary: ₹8,00,000 [1]

In this role, you'll monitor methods and processes in all aspects of software engineering to maintain quality standards. You might have responsibility for usability and the software development lifecycle.  

Test engineer 

Average annual salary: ₹5,72,500 [2]

As a software testing engineer, you'll examine code, run programs, and check functionality and adaptability. You’ll also assess the software's performance to decrease bugs and increase end-user satisfaction. 

Associate software testing engineer 

Average annual salary: ₹2,56,000 [3]

In this role, you will conduct rigorous software testing, including running tests. This early career option allows you to gain deeper knowledge and build a portfolio.

Software quality manager

Average annual salary: ₹19,00,000 [4]

This role is an upper-level role, charged with assessing and improving software quality in this upper-level role. You'll need to understand how to evaluate and choose the tools used, weigh the potential impact of process improvements on other processes, and consult on projects.

How to know a QA automation tester job role is right for you

To assess if this is your proper role, ask yourself a few key questions, starting with Are you passionate about using automation technology to test systems, software, and websites? It takes time and dedication to gain the skills needed to succeed in this job, so having a passion for the field is another must. Other helpful questions to consider include the following:

• Are you comfortable and confident writing scripts?

• Do you enjoy asking questions and getting to the root of problems?

• Can you manage your time well and prioritise your tasks?

• Do you understand how to analyse data and report on your findings?

• Can you empathise with end-users and create testing solutions accordingly?

If you answered “yes,” to most questions, this could be a good fit for you. Additionally, you must be willing to engage in lifelong learning to keep up with the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Begin your career in QA automation testing today

With the increase in businesses using automation, automation testers are in demand. If becoming a QA automation tester seems like a good match for your career goals, you may want to start by researching bachelor’s degree programmes in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field.

Or, if you’re still unsure if it’s a good fit, you may want to explore automation with a Professional Certificate like the Google IT Automation with Python programme on Coursera. This certificate programme is for beginners and allows you to learn how to automate tasks, get comfortable using Python, and cultivate problem-solving abilities to help you find the best path.