Occupation
Test automation engineer
Test automation engineers write code whose job is to test other code. They build and maintain automated test suites and the pipelines that run them, so that a broken change is caught by a machine rather than by a user.
Also known as: Automation test engineer · SDET · Software development engineer in test
Occupation content
Part of Information technology, data and cybersecurity
What the work involves
- Write automated tests for interfaces, APIs, and back-end services
- Maintain test frameworks and shared helpers other engineers rely on
- Wire test suites into the continuous integration pipeline
- Investigate flaky or intermittently failing tests and stabilise them
- Report on coverage gaps and push for tests where risk is highest
How people commonly enter
- A degree in computer science, software engineering, or information systems
- A college diploma or certificate in software development or testing
- Progression from a manual software testing role after building coding skills
- A software testing certification combined with on-the-job programming experience
Typical training: Varies by employer or jurisdiction
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Typical work context
Team based · Desk based · Quiet focus · Remote capable · Hybrid office
Related interests
Investigative (analytical) · Conventional (organizing) · Realistic (hands-on)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Information technology, data and cybersecurity.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (15-1253.00) · International
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- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers · United States
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- Canada Job Bank — Job profile search: information systems testing technicians · Canada
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Information technology, data and cybersecurity in Canada, not a figure for Test automation engineer. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Information technology, data and cybersecurity family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Information technology, data and cybersecurity: education pathways
Some roles in Information technology, data and cybersecurity may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Information technology, data and cybersecurity: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)