Quality assurance is an ever-critical part of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), one businesses can’t afford to overlook. Today, the QA team does far more than simply spotting bugs in the code — they’re responsible for assessing the quality of a product in all aspects.
The QA industry is evolving considerably, and so is the nature of the work. In that context, one key member of the team is the test automation developer. This important individual scripts tests and automates the QA process to make it more efficient and less time-consuming.
QA testing is an integral part of any industry that builds software. With new tools, changing processes, and evolving practices, businesses need test automation developers who are highly skilled and able to keep up with the latest news and trends. How do you find that developer? Here’s what to look for and how to find top talent.
What does a test automation developer do?
A test automation developer is responsible for developing and designing automatic tests for software. Leveraging tools like test automation frameworks, they build these tests and carefully monitor the results. They also work closely with the rest of the software development team, including the QA analysts and developers themselves, to report their findings and address any issues.
Test automation developers are also responsible for creating and honing QA testing standards and methodologies for their businesses.
QA testing usually demands a combination of automation — tests run by machines — and manual intervention. Professionals specializing in automation work closely with manual testers to ensure the quality of the product, sometimes performing manual testing themselves.
How much is testing automation growing?
Markets and Markets expects that the global automation testing market will reach $28.8 billion USD by 2024, up from $12.6 billion in 2019. This rapid growth is largely due to the increasing need for a more efficient, less time-consuming testing process. Additionally, more and more businesses that create software are recognizing the importance of ensuring the quality of their products before they reach market and hiring specialists who focus on different aspects of QA.
What should you look for in a test automation developer?
Because test automation developers are responsible for scripting tests in addition to running them, there are many important skills for these experts to have. Remember, too, that automation demands a different skillset from manual testing, although there are some overlaps.
Of course, any solid professional needs to have ample experience. And because the sector is constantly growing and evolving, they must stay abreast of news and trends as well.
A test automation developer should have programming experience, although this can be more basic than that of software developers. Additionally, they should have strong attention to detail and be adept at spotting errors, as well as performing a holistic review of the quality of various products.
Interview Questions
Which types of test cases should be automated?
Typically, the test cases that are automated are ones that will be repeated frequently. They are usually also ones that are too demanding or time-consuming to be performed manually. On the flip side, you shouldn’t automate test cases that haven’t been performed manually at all or aren’t going to be used very often. Moreover, if the requirements for the software are going to change substantially, you should also take a manual approach.
Why should you automate?
Automation has numerous benefits. It’s far less time consuming than manual testing, for one. Plus, once the test is scripted, humans don’t need to intervene. Assuming the test is created by a skilled professional and is accurate, the test itself is less error-prone than manual testing would be, too. Often, this leads to a less expensive overall process.
Describe the difference between functional and non-functional testing.
Functional testing ensures that the product meets the requirements of the stakeholders — that is, the specifications they laid out for the software. Non-functional testing refers to another testing of the product, assessing factors like performance, reliability, security, load, and so on. Both types of testing are critical to creating a quality product.
What are some benefits of using test automation frameworks?
Using frameworks to support testing efforts usually means:
- More efficient testing
- Quicker turnaround time
- The ability to reuse code again
- Less need for manual intervention
- Increased test coverage
Explain Selenium.
Selenium is an enormously popular open-source test automation framework. But it’s not just one single tool. It’s actually a suite that offers plenty of support for developers and accommodates plenty of languages, including Java, Python, and C#. Some of its main benefits are improving code readability and having the capacity to support multiple operating systems.
Name some other popular test automation frameworks.
There are numerous frameworks that aid the testing automation process. Some examples, aside from Selenium, are:
- Appium
- Carina
- Cucumber
- Cypress
- Robot
- Serenity
Job Description
We are looking for an experienced test automation developer to develop and write scripts, working closely with the software development team to identify and resolve bugs and other issues. You should also have experience with manual testing and apply it as needed.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and write test automation scripts
- Research software and issues related to it
- Apply test automation frameworks
- Work closely with software developers, designers, QA analysts, and other team members to create software and confirm the quality
- Develop and apply guidelines for automating tests
- Document problems and efforts and communicate findings to the software developers
- Stay up to date with QA trends and news
Skills And Qualifications
- At least 5 years of experience working in test automation
- Manual testing experience
- Basic knowledge of programming languages, including C++, C#, Java, and Python
- Experience with test automation frameworks, including Selenium, .NET
- Strong problem-solving, analytical, critical-thinking, time-management, collaboration, and written and verbal communication skills
- Strong attention to detail
- An ability to keep up to date with current industry trends
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software development, information technology, or a related field.
