Automation Engineer: Job Description, Key Skills, and Salary in 2023

• An automation engineer is a professional in charge of designing, testing, and optimizing automated systems in various mechanical and digital environments to help businesses improve processes, save costs, and achieve better outcomes.
• Automation engineering is a rapidly growing field and can get you a six-figure salary. In the US, on average, automation engineers earn $111,668 annually and even over $200,000 yearly.
• This article provides an overview of automation engineering, including the scope of work, key skills and responsibilities, and salary in the US this year.

What Is an Automation Engineer?

An automation engineer is a professional in charge of designing, testing, and optimizing automated systems in various mechanical and digital environments to help businesses improve processes, save costs, and achieve better outcomes. Automation engineering is a rapidly growing field and can get you a six-figure salary.

Nearly every facet of daily life is affected by engineering, from the building of bridges to the cars and trucks that ride over them.

By automating systems such as store cashiers, production lines, and computer systems, automation engineers seek to make employees, consumers, and businesses and their daily lives and operations simpler, powered by technological advancements. By learning all about this branch of engineering, you can make an informed decision on whether this is the right profession for you.

Engineers specializing in automation have the expertise and skills to envision, build, expand, and oversee equipment or systems. This could involve a vast array of systems, including manufacturing automation, robotic process automation (RPA), and the automation of warehouses.

Scope of work

Automation has been an essential component of the manufacturing sector for decades. However, its application in commerce, healthcare, and financial systems is relatively recent. IT infrastructure automation typically focuses on the automation of services and the quality assurance (QA) monitoring of automated processes, above and beyond the ambit of manufacturing and factory automation.

An automation engineer aims to eliminate flaws, oversights, and other problems in product or software development and customer or business service systems. Companies are increasingly adopting automated chatbots to resolve customer concerns or redirect them to the appropriate individual, and automation engineers assist with deploying this technology. Automation is also being utilized to expedite IT support ticketing, service management, and the shipment of high-quality products and software with minimal flaws and at a more rapid pace.

The ultimate objective of an automation engineer is to ease the workload of employees and increase efficiency and reliability by automating redundant or unreliable manual processes.

How to become an automation engineer

Automation engineering is highly skill-driven, and candidates should start preparing early. If you are interested in a career as an automation engineer, this section is a must-read.

1. Attend college for a STEM degree

Some universities and colleges are starting to offer courses in automation engineering. For example, Southeastern Louisiana University offers an undergraduate degree titled ‘Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology – Concentration in Automated Systems.’

Numerous other disciplines at the undergraduate level can also prepare you for a job in automation engineering. You could also prepare for a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering, along with a bachelor’s in automation. By specializing in computer science, you can also pick up the competencies necessary to land a job in automation engineering.

2. Pursue a relevant master’s degree

A bachelor’s degree will help you embark on a livelihood in automation engineering, but some companies may prefer a master’s degree.

A master’s degree in automation, management, or robotics engineering will help you develop specialized skills and prepare you for managerial roles. If you wish to maximize your potential for income growth, managerial and supervisory positions typically offer the best compensation. To that end, you can also undertake a certification such as Project Management Professional (PMP) to increase your chances of employability and higher salary.

3. Look for relevant experience via internships and apprenticeships

After acquiring a bachelor’s and master’s degree, the next step is gaining some experience in automation. Numerous industries are looking for automation engineers; search for a position that matches your interests. Computer science graduates should apply for internships in IT automation roles. At the same time, those from a mechanical engineering background would do well in starting with auto manufacturing plants and the utility sector.

Fortunately, in addition to traditional courseware, most master’s degree programs guarantee practical experience via internships or co-ops. This enables you to apply newly acquired abilities while gaining valuable experience and also expand your professional network. Ensure to obtain and preserve the certificates of completion, as they are needed during job applications.

4. Apply for the right automation engineer job

Creating an excellent resume and a cover letter is the priority when applying for employment. In addition to industry training and experience, applicants should emphasize any technical certifications, professional organization memberships, and volunteer activities. Since automation engineering is highly collaborative, demonstrating interpersonal skills and abilities strengthens a resume, particularly in companies undergoing digital transformation and governments digitizing systems.

Employers will always seek applicants with a background in creating and deploying automated systems. Moreover, employers typically favor individuals who have extensive software expertise. As such, make sure you have one or two programming certifications under your belt.

5. Upskill by getting certified under the International Society of Automation (ISA)

After you have landed an entry-level position, certification can help you advance in your career as you continue your search for a higher position in automation. Since certifications offer managerial and transferable skill sets, individuals receiving such accreditation usually land more senior positions.

To that end, ISA offers two certifications for automation aspirants:

• Certified Automation Professional (CAP): This certification validates your dedication to excellence and showcases your automation and control expertise. It is intended for process automation or manufacturing automation professionals. The cost of CAP certification is $467.
• Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST): This certification is for more senior professionals with a few years of experience. CCSTs are an esteemed group of control and automation specialists who have demonstrated a thorough understanding of automation and control systems. The Level 1 CCST examination costs $415, and three levels should be completed.

Automation engineer job description

An automation engineer’s responsibilities involve developing, coding, modeling, and evaluating automated machinery or systems intended to perform specific tasks. From conception to the prototype, they will work with automated equipment. They will also be responsible for offering extensive documentation, including guidelines for design, to facilitate product manufacturing and implementation. The automation technician then uses this document to execute and maintain new systems.

All these criteria will be outlined in the job posting when you submit your application. Bachelor’s degrees in computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or physics for engineering are needed to become an automation engineer. Expect to see at least one of these criteria on the job description, depending on the company where you’re applying.

See More: Big Data Engineer: Job Description, Key Skills, and Salary in 2022

Automation Engineer: Roles and Responsibilities

An automation engineer’s responsibilities are multifarious. Engineers of automation are responsible for designing and constructing different automated systems. Consequently, their position entails designing, programming, modeling, and testing automated apparatus or systems for precision-based tasks. Typically, they work in industries where robotics, machinery, or software have been developed to perform particular tasks.

Using computer-aided design (CAD) software, these engineers create layouts for automation components and analyze production processes to identify optimal outcomes. They handle challenges, carry out routine maintenance of automation tools, and execute fixes and troubleshooting as necessary. In addition to creating specifications for quality assurance and the operation of machines, automation engineers collaborate with technicians to periodically recalibrate equipment.

The responsibilities of an automation engineer include:

1. Maintaining automation operations

It is the responsibility of an automation engineer to maintain various systems. Consequently, debugging, repairing, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis are regular tasks. These involve sharing the performance of processes with colleagues and advising stakeholders on the technical aspects of implementing automation programs.

2. Collaborating with stakeholders

A career in automation engineering would involve extensive collaboration. In addition to identifying potential problems and resolving several issues, experts in this field take part in continually improving processes. Coordination with purchasing, IT, and other departments is essential.

3. Designing and migrating systems

Sometimes, automation engineers will be expected to design and install management systems at a new location. An engineer participating in the design process should follow a simulation protocol to validate that the machinery can do what it has been designed for.

4. Building controls

Control engineering involves planning and constructing systems that can monitor and control physical processes. These systems range from simple control circuits to intricate networked systems with numerous sensors and actuators.

5. Developing software code

Automation engineers frequently use programming languages like Python, C++, and Java to create code that supervises and controls automated systems. This code can be used to program bots or other automated machinery. It can also be used to create apps that can assist with the automation process in its entirety.

6. Managing teams and projects

Typically, automation engineers are skilled project administrators. In certain circumstances, they may be in charge of devising customized solutions for engineering for enterprise teams, documenting the implementation process, and providing active support for the solution. Since most automation engineers are experienced professionals, they may be expected to guide a group of engineers in actualizing their plans.

7. Generating reports

Senior colleagues receive many reports outlining new automation ideas, continuing machine and software upkeep best practices, test results, and much more. Anyone interested in a career in automation engineering must improve their technical writing competencies.

8. Writing and updating documentation

Documentation planning may appear tedious, but it is essential for standardization and process control. Documentation promotes knowledge sharing, allowing other team members to understand how processes originated and how they need to be managed in the future.

9. Training automation users

When automation engineers institute a fresh procedure or equipment, they become accountable for training coworkers on using and maintaining it. Consequently, they frequently serve as technical mentors. They accomplish this by guiding colleagues through process walkthroughs while clarifying their thinking when fixing technical issues.

10. Working process control engineers

As implied by their title, process control engineers administer and sustain control processes rather than automate them. Automation engineers must be able to collaborate with control engineers so that operations are both efficient and reliable. They should work together to ensure that operations involving apparatus and technologies within a company are reliable and efficient.

11. Spearheading audits

Since technology is continuously evolving, automation engineers must remain updated with industry norms and best practices. They frequently need to guide the auditing process to discover opportunities to implement further automation. Additionally, they would need to strive to improve their established processes while offering technical assistance to colleagues as and when requested.

12. Integrating new upgrades and patches

Automation engineers proactively develop continuous and resilient integrations, and this is among their key responsibilities. Whenever an old process no longer meets the company’s or customer’s specifications, these professionals should devise an alternative method that solves an emerging challenge. They should seamlessly integrate the upgrade into existing systems and handle patch management.

13. Monitoring automation and providing support

Process maintenance encompasses everything from ensuring the correct maintenance components are in stock to actively collaborating with engineering colleagues to optimize automation performance according to operational objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs). Automation engineers need to offer their staff members regular technical assistance.

See More: CISM Certification: Exam Cost, Salary, and Jobs in 2022

Automation Engineer: Key Skill Requirements in 2023

As you see, the responsibilities of an automation engineer are many and varied. These eight key skills are a must to perform well in this role:

Automation Engineer Key Skill Requirements

1. Working knowledge of programming languages

Coding or scripting in widely used programming languages should be the first two skills you learn as an automation engineer, regardless of your specialty. You should concentrate on the most popular programming languages, namely C/C++, Python, Pearl, Java, Ruby, or Shell. Mastering multiple languages would undoubtedly be advantageous to your profession.

2. Understanding of various automation tools

Various systems, tools, and hardware help design and execute automation. As such, you would be required to know the following very well.

• Controls: Controls refer to machines that receive data from the input while providing directions to the output consistent with the engineers’ specifications.
• Computers: Engineers use computers to initiate, administer, and supervise the automation of both physical and digital systems. Among all the computer operating systems, Linux is the most popular.
• Measurement sensors: Automation engineers utilize software assessment sensors to measure control input. In certain scenarios, the internet of things (IoT) is also used for this purpose.
• Actuators: Actuators, referred to as outputs, carry out an action when instructed by a control. Examples comprise physical devices such as rotors and pistons and software systems that generate data (such as robotic control systems or printer drivers).
• Automation testing software: Automation engineers use this software to inspect their equipment for inaccuracies and flaws that could negatively influence workflow.

3. Having testing knowhow

As an automation engineer, one of your most important skills would be the ability to debug and test various solutions, particularly if your focus is on computer software instead of hardware.

You will likely be required to conduct unit testing, which involves validating the functionality of individual code segments. In accordance with the language you use, you should prioritize tools such as JUnit for Java or PHPUnit for PHP. Automation tools or software testing systems such as Selenium and Jmeter will also be required for your capacity to troubleshoot across multiple system environments.

4. Keeping a prioritization mindset

To be truly effective as an automation engineer, you must understand which tasks merit automation and which do not. Automating everything you do can be very appealing, but doing so would be a waste of effort. Establishing a framework to automate a basic task readily accomplished with conventional methods might be useless.

When setting automation priorities, the following factors matter the most:

• Automation may incur excessive maintenance expenses
• It may not assist you in reaching your long-term business objectives

5. Having communication skills

Communication and other soft skills are crucial to the engineering workflow. Engineers of automation should be accountable for introducing proposals and designs, which means they must be able to articulate their ideas effectively. Professionals working in the field at this time and prospective employees should practice active listening, open-mindedness, storytelling, and writing-based communication skills.

6. Possessing leadership capabilities

Automation engineers may be required to supervise a team when launching a fresh initiative. Leadership skills are required to guarantee that new or amended customer systems operate effectively. The automation engineer, or the team under this professional, might be required to guide team members across customer requirements, conceptual designs, and deployment. Bear in mind that this is a key skillset since effective team management results in more efficient client outcomes.

7. Follow a creative approach to problem-solving

The ability to think creatively is essential for automation engineers, who have to create intuitive and seamless solutions for complex problems. Creative thinking is the capacity to contemplate an idea in an unusual way or present fresh viewpoints. To refine this skill, whenever you confront a unique challenge, try to think creatively and determine the various viable solutions.

8. Be ready to adapt to unexpected circumstances

Initial hypotheses for tough technological problems fail more often than not. Automation engineers must, therefore, be flexible in a climate of uncertainty. Engineers with outstanding adaptability skills will be ready to identify solutions for unexpected challenges and readily adjust to new situations.

See More: Google Cloud Certification: Path, Preparation, and Salary in 2022

Automation Engineer Salary in 2023

According to Builtin (last updated on 05.17.2023), automation engineers are extremely well-paid and earn six-figure salaries, on average. In the US, a professional in this field will make $111,668 annually. The minimum salary for automation engineers is $57,000, which is not low for an entry-level role but could be a little challenging if you have student debt and reside in an area with a high cost of living. The maximum salary for automation engineers in 2023 is $240,000.

Importantly, automation engineers often earn additional bonuses, averaging $11,454, depending on the company’s success. Since these individuals directly contribute to business outcomes (through direct effort and cost savings from automation), most startups and large organizations provide bonuses to automation engineers.

Another interesting fact is that small companies tend to pay as much as the bigger ones. For instance, the average automation engineer salary in companies with 11 to 50 employees is $100,000, while that in companies with 500 to 1,000 employees is around $110,000 per year.

As far as experience is concerned, as expected, salaries increase significantly as you rack up more and more years of experience. The average salary for engineers with less than one year of experience is $82,083. In comparison, the average salary for a senior professional with more than seven years of experience is $124,326. You could make more or less depending on the company you choose to join.

See More: Top 10 Scrum Master Certifications in 2022

Takeaway

Automation engineers are in high demand as mechanical and digital systems become increasingly automated. Candidates can choose between various fields, be it industrial sectors or software development and IT teams. Either way, automation engineers should work closely with other stakeholders to help the business unlock better outcomes by reducing its dependence on human effort.

Did we help you gain more knowledge on becoming an automation engineer? Tell us on FacebookOpens a new window , XOpens a new window , and LinkedInOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you!

Image Source: Shutterstock

MORE ON IT SKILLS AND CAREERS

• Blockchain Engineer: Job Description, Key Skills, and Salary in 2022
• CISSP Certification: Exam Cost, Salary, and Jobs in 2022
• Data Scientist: Job Description, Key Skills, and Salary in 2022
• Threat Intelligence Analyst: Key Job Roles and Requirements for Success in 2022
• MCSA vs. MCSE: 11 Major Comparisons