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5 Automation Technician Job Description Templates and Examples

Automation Technicians are responsible for installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting automated systems and machinery. They work to ensure that these systems operate efficiently and effectively, often collaborating with engineers and other technical staff. Junior technicians focus on learning and performing basic maintenance tasks, while senior technicians may oversee complex installations, mentor junior staff, and contribute to system design improvements.

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1. Junior Automation Technician Job Description Template

Company Overview

[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]

Role Overview

[$COMPANY_NAME] is seeking a Junior Automation Technician to join our automation and controls team at our facility in [$COMPANY_LOCATION]. This entry-level technical role focuses on supporting installation, commissioning, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting of industrial automation equipment including PLCs, HMIs, variable frequency drives (VFDs), sensors, actuators, and industrial networks. The successful candidate will work under senior technicians and engineers to execute work packages, follow electrical and safety procedures, and develop hands-on skills in automation hardware, control logic validation, and test instrumentation.

Responsibilities

  • Assist in installation, wiring, and termination of control panels, field devices, and sensor networks according to electrical schematics and wiring diagrams
  • Execute startup and commissioning tasks under supervision: power-up checks, I/O verification, signal validation, and loop checks
  • Perform routine preventive maintenance and calibrations on PLCs, HMIs, drives, and measurement instrumentation
  • Follow written work orders, test procedures, and safety permits (LOTO, confined space) while documenting results in work logs and maintenance systems
  • Support senior technicians and controls engineers in debugging control logic using vendor tools (e.g., Rockwell Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, or similar)
  • Execute basic PLC and HMI troubleshooting: identify faulty I/O, replace modules, check communication links (Ethernet/IP, Profibus, Modbus)
  • Use test equipment (multimeter, clamp meter, oscilloscope, process calibrator) to validate electrical and signal integrity
  • Maintain inventory of spare parts, label wiring and components, and assist with panel assembly and cable routing
  • Participate in shift handovers, report anomalies, and escalate unresolved issues to senior staff

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required:

  • Associate degree, technical diploma, or equivalent coursework in electrical engineering technology, mechatronics, industrial automation, or a related field
  • 0–2 years of hands-on experience in manufacturing maintenance, electrical work, or automation support
  • Familiarity with basic electrical concepts: AC/DC circuits, three-phase power, grounding, and control circuits
  • Comfortable reading electrical schematics, P&IDs, and wiring diagrams
  • Basic understanding of PLCs, HMIs, sensors, and actuators
  • Valid electrical or industrial safety certifications where applicable (e.g., OSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E awareness) or willingness to obtain them
  • Strong attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, and a safety-first mindset

Preferred:

  • Hands-on experience with one or more PLC platforms (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider) or HMI systems
  • Experience with industrial networking (Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, Profinet) and basic network troubleshooting
  • Familiarity with VFDs, motor starters, and control relays
  • Prior exposure to go/no-go commissioning tests, loop checks, or FAT/SAT processes
  • Relevant certifications: IPC, CETa, or vendor-specific PLC/HMI training

Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies

  • Basic PLC diagnostic skills and exposure to ladder logic, function block, or structured text
  • Competence using hand and power tools, cable crimpers, and labeling systems
  • Proficiency with electrical test instruments: digital multimeter, clamp meter, oscilloscope, process calibrator
  • Familiarity with industrial communication protocols: Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, Profinet
  • Knowledge of panel fabrication standards, terminal block wiring, and cable management
  • Experience with CMMS or maintenance tracking systems (e.g., Maximo, SAP PM) is a plus

Soft Skills and Cultural Fit

  • Demonstrated willingness to learn and receive hands-on mentorship from senior technicians and engineers
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills for shift reports and technical documentation
  • Strong problem identification skills and methodical troubleshooting approach
  • Ability to work safely in industrial environments and comply with PPE and safety procedures
  • Team-oriented attitude: reliable, punctual, and committed to continuous improvement
  • Growth mindset with an interest in advancing to senior technician or controls engineer roles

Benefits and Perks

  • Competitive starting salary: [$SALARY_RANGE]
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off, paid holidays, and paid training/certification support
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • On-the-job mentorship program and structured career progression paths
  • Tool and safety equipment allowance; access to vendor training and e-learning

Equal Opportunity Statement

[$COMPANY_NAME] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristic.

Location

This role is onsite at our facility in [$COMPANY_LOCATION]. Candidates must be able to work on-site and comply with site-specific safety and access requirements.

Application Instructions

To apply, submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining relevant hands-on experience and your interest in automation. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

2. Automation Technician Job Description Template

Company Overview

[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]

Role Overview

We are seeking a technically strong Automation Technician to design, commission, maintain, and troubleshoot industrial automation systems at scale. Reporting to the Maintenance/Controls Engineering Lead, you will work cross-functionally with Controls Engineers, Process Engineers, and Production to ensure high availability of PLC/SCADA-driven equipment, optimize control logic, and reduce mean time to repair (MTTR). This role requires hands-on field experience with electro-mechanical systems, proficiency with PLC programming and industrial networks, and disciplined documentation practices.

Responsibilities

  • Commission, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent) and associated I/O modules, analog/digital signal conditioning, and safety interlocks.
  • Install, configure, and maintain SCADA/HMI systems (Wonderware, Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC) including tag mapping, alarms, and historian integration.
  • Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on sensors, actuators, VFDs, servo drives, pneumatic and hydraulic subsystems to meet OEE and uptime targets.
  • Diagnose electrical and control-system faults using schematic diagrams, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and motor analyzers; execute repairs and document root cause and remediation steps.
  • Implement and validate control logic changes in test environments; execute controlled rollouts to production with rollback plans and change logs.
  • Work with network engineering to maintain deterministic industrial Ethernet (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP) and fieldbus (Modbus, DeviceNet) topologies; perform packet captures and analyze network-level faults when required.
  • Develop and maintain technical documentation: wiring diagrams, ladder/structured text source code, P&IDs, instrumentation lists, and maintenance procedures in CMMS (e.g., Maximo, SAP PM).
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen, TPM) to reduce cycle time, scrap, and unplanned downtime; provide data-driven feedback using production metrics.
  • Adhere to lockout/tagout (LOTO), NFPA 70E electrical safety procedures, and machine safeguarding standards; support safety risk assessments and MOC processes.
  • Mentor apprentices and junior technicians on troubleshooting methodology, diagnostic tools, and company standards.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required:

  • Associate degree or technical diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, or equivalent vocational training.
  • 3+ years hands-on experience maintaining and troubleshooting industrial automation systems in manufacturing environments.
  • Working knowledge of PLC programming and debugging (ladder logic, function block, structured text) for vendors such as Rockwell/Allen-Bradley or Siemens.
  • Practical experience with HMI/SCADA configuration, alarm tuning, and historian integration.
  • Proven ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, and control narratives.
  • Proficiency with diagnostic tools: digital multimeter, clamp meter, oscilloscope, insulation tester, and vibration sensors.
  • Familiarity with industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus) and basic network troubleshooting (IP addressing, switches, VLANs).
  • Strong commitment to safety procedures including LOTO and PPE compliance.

Preferred:

  • Certifications: IPC, NCCER, Certified Maintenance & Reliability Technician (CMRT), or vendor-specific PLC/HMI certifications.
  • Experience with motion control systems, servo/stepper tuning, and robotics integration (ABB, FANUC, KUKA).
  • Experience using CMMS (Maximo, SAP) and version control for PLC code (Git, SVN).
  • Basic scripting or programming experience (Python, VBA) for data extraction, log parsing, and test automation.
  • Prior exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or TPM methodologies.

Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies

  • PLCs: Allen-Bradley (RSLogix/Studio 5000), Siemens (TIA Portal), Schneider, Mitsubishi.
  • HMI/SCADA: Ignition, Wonderware, FactoryTalk/View SE, WinCC.
  • Industrial Networks: EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP/RTU, DeviceNet; managed switches and VLANs.
  • Drives & Motion: VFDs (Danfoss, Allen-Bradley), servo drives, encoder feedback systems.
  • Instrumentation: 4-20mA, RTD/thermocouples, pressure transducers, proximity and photoelectric sensors.
  • Tools: Fluke multimeters/oscilloscopes, network analyzers, motor analyzers, thermal imaging camera.
  • Software & Data: CMMS (Maximo/SAP), PLC version control, basic scripting (Python), OPC-UA, MQTT, historians (PI).

Soft Skills and Cultural Fit

  • Analytical troubleshooting mindset: structured fault isolation, reproducible test plans, and RCA documentation.
  • Effective communicator: concise handovers, clear maintenance reports, and the ability to explain technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Collaborative contributor: experience working within multidisciplinary teams and coordinating with production scheduling to minimize impact.
  • Detail-oriented with disciplined documentation and configuration management practices.
  • Proven track record of continuous learning and mentoring peers in technical skills and safety best practices.

Benefits and Perks

Salary: [$SALARY_RANGE]

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with company match or equivalent retirement plan
  • Paid time off, paid holidays, and paid parental leave
  • Tuition assistance and professional development stipend for certifications (PLC, robotics, safety)
  • Performance bonus eligibility and internal career progression to Controls Engineer or Maintenance Supervisor
  • Company-provided PPE, tool allowance, and access to on-site training labs

Equal Opportunity Statement

[$COMPANY_NAME] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Location

This is an on-site position based in [$COMPANY_LOCATION]. Candidates must be able to work standard manufacturing shifts and be available for on-call rotation as required by site operations.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining relevant automation experience and certifications. Applications that clearly demonstrate hands-on PLC/SCADA experience and safety compliance will be prioritized.

3. Senior Automation Technician Job Description Template

Company Overview

[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]

Role Overview

[$COMPANY_NAME] is hiring a Senior Automation Technician to lead hands-on automation engineering support for high-availability manufacturing and process systems at our facility in [$COMPANY_LOCATION]. You will architect, commission, and maintain PLC-, HMI-, and robot-driven automation cells, own complex troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for production-impacting incidents, and drive continuous improvement projects that increase throughput, reliability, and safety. This is a senior, field-forward role requiring deep expertise in industrial control systems (ICS), industrial networking, motion control, and safety systems paired with the ability to document decisions, mentor technicians, and influence cross-functional engineering teams.

Responsibilities

  • Lead commissioning, integration, and validation of PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems across new and legacy equipment (Siemens, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Schneider Electric).
  • Design, implement, and tune motion control systems including servo drives, stepper motors, VFDs, and multi-axis robot cells; apply PID and feedforward control where appropriate.
  • Develop, review, and maintain industrial control code using Ladder Logic, Structured Text (IEC 61131-3), function block diagrams, and SFC; implement modular, documented code with version control.
  • Create and maintain HMI/SCADA screens, system alarms, trending, and historian integrations to improve operator effectiveness and diagnostics.
  • Diagnose and resolve complex production incidents involving PLC logic, field I/O, networks (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP/RTU), and motor drives; perform hands-on repairs and scope vendor support when needed.
  • Execute FAT/SAT test plans, runbooks, and acceptance criteria for automation deliverables; produce clear commissioning reports and punch lists.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives: reduce downtime through root-cause analysis, reliability-centered maintenance, and design changes; quantify impact using MTBF/MTTR metrics.
  • Operate as technical lead on cross-functional projects, produce architecture decision records (ADRs), and give technical guidance to junior technicians and contractors.
  • Maintain and improve safety systems and compliance: oversee interlocks, light curtains, safety PLCs, e-stops, and adherence to NFPA70E, OSHA, and relevant industry standards.
  • Perform preventive maintenance, calibration, spare parts management, and lifecycle planning for critical automation assets.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required:

  • Minimum 6+ years' experience in industrial automation, controls, or manufacturing engineering supporting PLC/HMI/robot systems.
  • Proven track record commissioning and troubleshooting PLCs (Siemens S7/TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000/RSLogix) and HMIs (Wonderware, Ignition, FactoryTalk or equivalent).
  • Hands-on experience with industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus, OPC-UA) and network diagnostics tools (Wireshark, industrial protocol analyzers).
  • Strong electrical troubleshooting skills: interpreting schematics, wiring diagrams, motor control circuits, and grounding practices.
  • Experience with motion control and robotics: programming/teaching industrial robots (ABB, FANUC, KUKA, Yaskawa) or PLC-based motion modules.
  • Excellent documentation skills: create wiring diagrams, ladder/structured-text comments, SOPs, commissioning reports, and change logs.
  • Ability to lift and work on factory floor equipment, climb ladders, and adhere to PPE and lockout/tagout procedures.

Preferred:

  • Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, or equivalent technical certification.
  • Certifications: ISA/ISCET, NCCER, Rockwell/Siemens certified programmer, NFPA70E trained, or equivalent safety credentials.
  • Experience with SCADA/historian integrations (OSIsoft PI, Ignition), SQL-based data collection, and basic scripting (Python, PowerShell) for automation utilities and diagnostics.
  • Familiarity with quality systems and standards (ISO 9001, ISO 13485, GMP) and working with regulated manufacturing environments.
  • Prior leadership or project lead experience coordinating vendors, OEMs, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies

  • PLC platforms: Siemens S7/TIA Portal, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley (ControlLogix, CompactLogix), Schneider
  • HMI/SCADA: Ignition, Wonderware, FactoryTalk, VTScada, OPC-UA, HMIs
  • Industrial networking: EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP/RTU, Ethernet, VLANs, MRP; familiarity with managed switches and network segmentation
  • Motion & robotics: Servo drives (e.g., Mitsubishi, Yaskawa), VFDs, robot teach pendants and robot programming
  • Electrical: motor control panels, contactors, relays, breakers, grounding, UL/NEMA enclosure standards
  • Diagnostics & monitoring: Wireshark, Fluke testers, thermal imaging, vibration analysis, Data Historian tools
  • Software & scripting: Ladder, Structured Text, Function Block Diagrams, Python or PowerShell for automation tooling, Git or equivalent version control
  • Safety & compliance: safety PLCs, SIL considerations, NFPA70E, lockout/tagout, machine guarding

Soft Skills and Cultural Fit

  • Demonstrated leadership: lead ADRs, drive technical decision-making, and mentor junior staff in troubleshooting and best practices.
  • Clear communicator: produce concise technical reports, SOPs, and present failure analyses to cross-functional stakeholders and leadership.
  • Data-driven mindset: use metrics (MTBF, MTTR, OEE) to prioritize work and demonstrate impact from reliability projects.
  • Collaborative problem-solver: work effectively with electrical, mechanical, quality, and operations teams; manage vendor relationships professionally.
  • Calm under pressure: proven ability to manage escalations during production incidents and coordinate rapid remediation plans.

Benefits and Perks

Salary: [$SALARY_RANGE]

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Paid time off, paid holidays, and discretionary personal days
  • Training and certification reimbursement (PLC/robot vendor training, safety certifications)
  • Overtime pay or shift differential where applicable and on-call compensation for critical support rotations
  • Employee assistance program, wellness resources, and access to continuous improvement/Lean training
  • Opportunities for career progression into Controls Engineer, Automation Engineer, or Engineering Lead roles

Equal Opportunity Statement

[$COMPANY_NAME] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Location

This role is onsite at our facility in [$COMPANY_LOCATION]. Candidates must be able to work on the production floor, participate in shift rotations when required, and respond to on-call escalations.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining relevant automation projects, PLC/robot platforms used, and availability for onsite work. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

4. Lead Automation Technician Job Description Template

Company Overview

[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]

Role Overview

[$COMPANY_NAME] is hiring a Lead Automation Technician to own the operational reliability, maintenance strategy, and hands-on execution of factory automation systems. In this position you will architect and implement preventative and predictive maintenance programs for PLC/SCADA environments, coordinate robotics integrations, and lead cross-functional incident response to minimize downtime. This is a senior, leadership-focused technical role requiring deep experience with industrial control systems, electro-mechanical diagnostics, and production automation lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

  • Lead technical operations for automation assets including PLCs (Rockwell/Allen‑Bradley, Siemens), PACs, HMI/SCADA (Ignition, Wonderware, Siemens WinCC) and industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus)
  • Design and implement preventative and predictive maintenance programs leveraging vibration analysis, thermal imaging, power quality, and equipment telemetry to reduce mean time between failures (MTBF) and mean time to repair (MTTR)
  • Own incident response for production-impacting automation failures: perform root cause analysis (RCA), produce architecture decision records (ADRs), and implement corrective actions
  • Develop and maintain PLC ladder logic, structured text, function block diagrams, and automation drawings; implement version control, CI/CD practices for automation code where applicable
  • Integrate and validate robotics systems (ABB, FANUC, KUKA, Universal Robots) including safety PLCs, light curtains, and robot cell IO mapping
  • Implement and maintain SCADA/HMI dashboards, historical data collection (OPC UA, MQTT), and KPIs to surface equipment health and throughput metrics to stakeholders
  • Lead, mentor, and upskill a team of automation technicians and junior engineers; establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), runbooks, and on-call rotations
  • Partner with controls engineers, operations, quality, and IT to plan upgrades, change controls, and capacity improvements while ensuring OT/IT segmentation and cybersecurity best practices
  • Manage spare parts strategy, spare-program budgeting, and supplier relationships for critical automation components
  • Drive continuous improvement projects using structured problem solving (8D, Kaizen, DMAIC) to improve yield, reliability, and maintainability

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required:

  • 7+ years of hands-on automation/controls experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment with progressive responsibility
  • Demonstrated leadership experience (team lead, project lead, or supervisory role) with direct mentorship of technicians
  • Proven expertise programming, troubleshooting, and commissioning PLCs (Rockwell/Allen‑Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent)
  • Extensive experience with HMI/SCADA systems, industrial networking, and field device integration (sensors, drives, VFDs, encoders)
  • Strong electrical troubleshooting skills: schematics, motor control, relay logic, VFD tuning, and power distribution diagnostics
  • Experience performing RCAs, producing technical reports, and presenting findings to engineering and operations leadership
  • Familiarity with industrial safety standards and machine guarding (NFPA 79, ISO 13849, IEC 60204)
  • Valid certifications or licenses relevant to the role (industrial electrician license, CMRP, ISA/IEC training, PLC vendor certifications) or equivalent experience

Preferred:

  • Experience integrating robotics cells (ABB/FANUC/KUKA/UR) and robot safety systems
  • Hands-on experience with IIoT platforms, MQTT, OPC UA, time-series databases (InfluxDB, OSIsoft PI) and analytics tools
  • Background in controls system commissioning, FAT/SAT, and automated test procedures
  • Experience implementing OT cybersecurity measures (NIST CSF, ISA/IEC 62443) and working with IT on VLANs, firewalls, and remote access solutions
  • Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent continuous improvement certification

Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies

  • PLCs: Rockwell/Allen‑Bradley Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, Codesys
  • HMI/SCADA: Ignition, Wonderware, Siemens WinCC, FactoryTalk View
  • Industrial Networking: EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA, MQTT
  • Drives & Motion: VFDs (ABB, Rockwell, Siemens), servo drives, encoder diagnostics
  • Robotics: ABB, FANUC, KUKA, Universal Robots integration and safety interlocks
  • Diagnostics & Tools: Fluke multimeters/thermal imagers/vibration analyzers, condition monitoring platforms
  • Data & Automation Tools: SQL/time-series DBs, basic Python or scripting for automation diagnostics and data extraction
  • Version Control & CI: Git for PLC/HMI code repositories; familiarity with automated deployment techniques for control systems

Soft Skills and Cultural Fit

  • Proven ability to lead through influence: run effective incident post-mortems and implement cross-functional corrective actions
  • Clear, structured technical communication: produce technical documentation, SOPs, and briefing materials for executives and floor teams
  • Customer-focused mindset with an emphasis on uptime, quality, and safety
  • Comfortable making high-stakes decisions during production incidents and escalating appropriately
  • Track record of mentoring technicians and transferring institutional knowledge through training programs
  • Adaptability to changing priorities in fast-paced manufacturing environments and ability to manage multiple projects concurrently

Benefits and Perks

  • Competitive salary: [$SALARY_RANGE]
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) or local retirement plan with company match
  • Generous paid time off, paid parental leave, and paid sick leave
  • Professional development stipend and support for vendor certifications (Rockwell, Siemens, ISA)
  • Paid safety and technical training, including hands-on labs and vendor factory training
  • Performance bonus and long-term incentive opportunities
  • Onsite amenities where applicable (tool crib, calibration lab, and maker space)

Equal Opportunity Statement

[$COMPANY_NAME] is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations in the application process.

Location

This role is hybrid: a successful candidate will be expected to work onsite at our [$COMPANY_LOCATION] facilities at least 3 days per week to lead hands-on maintenance, commissioning, and team collaboration. Occasional travel to vendor sites and partner facilities may be required.

How to Apply

We encourage applicants who meet many—but not necessarily all—of the listed qualifications to apply. Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining relevant automation systems you have owned, key reliability improvements you delivered, and any leadership or training experience. Candidates may include links to technical documentation, Git repositories for automation projects, or vendor certifications where available.

5. Automation Engineer Job Description Template

Company Overview

[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]

Role Overview

[$COMPANY_NAME] is hiring an Automation Engineer to design, implement, and scale test and deployment automation across cloud-native systems and CI/CD pipelines. In this role you will architect automated validation and delivery frameworks, integrate test automation with infrastructure-as-code, and partner with engineering teams to shift left quality and accelerate release velocity. The position requires hands-on engineering with a focus on reliability, observability, and repeatability across services running in containerized and serverless environments.

Responsibilities

  • Design, build, and maintain end-to-end automation for functional, integration, regression, performance, and security testing across microservices and platform components.
  • Architect and implement CI/CD pipelines using tools such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or Tekton; own pipeline reliability, parallelization strategies, caching, and artifact promotion.
  • Develop infrastructure-as-code (IaC) automation for test environments using Terraform, Pulumi, or CloudFormation; automate environment lifecycle and data seeding for repeatable tests.
  • Create and maintain robust test suites using frameworks like pytest, JUnit, TestNG, Robot Framework, or Playwright; design test harnesses for API (REST/gRPC), UI, and contract testing.
  • Integrate automated tests with container orchestration (Kubernetes) and service mesh environments; automate rollout and canary gating based on automated verification metrics.
  • Implement test data management and service virtualization/mocking strategies to enable parallel, isolated test runs and remove external flakiness.
  • Instrument and monitor automation with telemetry (Prometheus, Grafana, Datadog, New Relic); define SLIs/SLOs for pipeline and test execution performance.
  • Drive reliability improvements by triaging flaky tests, debugging end-to-end failures, and proposing architectural changes to increase testability.
  • Collaborate with product, SRE, and platform teams to embed quality gates, observability, and security scanning into automated delivery flows.
  • Document automation architecture, runbooks, and Architecture Decision Records (ADRs); mentor engineers on testability, CI/CD best practices, and automation design patterns.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required:

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience; 3+ years in automation, SDET, DevOps, or related engineering roles.
  • Proven experience building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines and automation frameworks in production environments.
  • Strong programming skills in one or more languages (Python, Java, Go, or TypeScript) with test-framework design and automation scripting experience.
  • Hands-on experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes) and deploying automated workflows to cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure).
  • Practical knowledge of IaC (Terraform, CloudFormation, Pulumi) and experience automating environment provisioning for test runs.
  • Experience with observability and test execution tooling (Prometheus, Grafana, Datadog, ELK) and distributed tracing for debugging automation failures.
  • Familiarity with API testing (REST, gRPC), contract testing (PACT, Postman/Newman), and mocking/service virtualization techniques.
  • Strong debugging skills for complex, distributed systems and production-similar test environments.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of automation or SDET experience, or prior role owning platform-level automation for multiple product teams.
  • Experience with performance and load testing tools (k6, JMeter, Locust) and designing scalable performance automation.
  • Experience with security automation and scanning tools (Snyk, Trivy, OWASP tooling) integrated into pipelines.
  • Certifications such as AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD), or ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineer.
  • Experience with test data generation, synthetic data pipelines, and compliance-aware data handling (GDPR/CCPA considerations).

Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies

  • CI/CD: Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Tekton
  • Programming & Test Frameworks: Python (pytest), Java (JUnit/TestNG), Go, TypeScript, Robot Framework, Playwright
  • Containers & Orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, Helm
  • Cloud & IaC: AWS/GCP/Azure, Terraform, CloudFormation, Pulumi
  • API & Contract Testing: REST, gRPC, OpenAPI, PACT, Postman
  • Observability & Monitoring: Prometheus, Grafana, Datadog, ELK, Jaeger/Zipkin
  • Security & Quality Tools: Snyk, Trivy, SonarQube, static analysis tools
  • Load & Performance: k6, JMeter, Locust
  • Version Control & Collaboration: Git, Git workflows, ADRs, code review systems

Soft Skills and Cultural Fit

  • Proven communicator who can translate complex technical automation design to cross-functional stakeholders and influence roadmap priorities.
  • Track record of leading architecture decision records (ADRs), conducting thorough code reviews, and mentoring peers in automation best practices.
  • Bias for measurable outcomes: defines success metrics for automation (pipeline lead time, test flakiness rate, mean time to detect regressions).
  • Comfort working in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and prioritizing automation investments that maximize delivery speed and reliability.
  • Collaborative mindset with an emphasis on knowledge sharing, creating runbooks, and improving team engineering maturity.

Benefits and Perks

Salary: [$SALARY_RANGE]

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
  • 401(k) with company match or local equivalent retirement plans
  • Generous paid time off and parental leave
  • Learning & development stipend, certification reimbursements, and conference budget
  • Home office and tooling allowance for remote work
  • Flexible working hours and discretionary remote days
  • Equity or long-term incentive programs where applicable

Equal Opportunity Statement

[$COMPANY_NAME] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Location

This is a remote position within [$COMPANY_LOCATION]. Candidates must be legally authorized to work and located within [$COMPANY_LOCATION] to comply with local employment regulations.

How to Apply

To apply, submit your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting relevant automation projects and the automation frameworks you built or maintained. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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Himalayas profile
AI-powered job recommendations
Apply to jobs
Job application tracker
Job alerts
Daily
AI resume builder
Unlimited
AI cover letters
Unlimited
AI interview practice
Unlimited
AI career coach
Unlimited
AI headshots
500 headshots/month
Conversational AI interview
4 hours/month

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Himalayas profile for an example user named Frankie Sullivan