Super interesting, all those different titles, functions and roles within IT. One sounds even stranger than the other. But what’s the difference and who do you need? There are also several names for software testers within the software testing profession. We are happy to explain how we view the roles within our Nekst IT Test Automation team.
The Difference Between an Engineer and an Architect
A Test Automation Engineer is often responsible within one team and within an existing test framework for developing, executing and maintaining automatic tests. An Engineer focuses on the practical implementation of automation and writing scripts to test specific functionalities. The Engineer usually has experience with a few tools or frameworks and a specialism in one type of tool.
A Test Automation Architect is responsible for designing and implementing the test automation strategy for an organization. The Architect determines which tests should be performed automatically, what the test environment should look like and how the results of the tests should be stored and analyzed.
In addition, the Test Automation Architect ensures that the automation solution is scalable and maintainable by applying best practices and design patterns, and that it aligns with the organization-wide QA strategy. As a Test Automation Architect you know about all commonly used tools what they can do and you have knowledge of several programming languages. A Test Automation Architect can clearly map out the problem and explain the solution at all levels within an organization.
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Why should you hire a Test Automation Engineer or a Test Automation Architect? That depends on your specific needs and goals. Below you will find some guidelines:
- If you already have a test automation strategy and your test framework is in place, a Test Automation Engineer could be the right choice. This person can help you develop, run and maintain your automated tests and ensure effective implementation of the automation.
- If you don’t have a test automation strategy yet or if you want to review and improve your existing automation, a Test Automation Architect is the right choice. This person can help you create a solid strategy and design a scalable and maintainable test environment that aligns with your organization-wide QA goals.
In general you can say that a Test Automation Architect is more focused on the strategic aspect of automation and a Test Automation Engineer is more focused on the practical implementation. Depending on your situation, you can decide which position is best to hire.
Would you like to know more about our Test Automation Engineers or Test Automation Architects and how we can help you? Please contact AnneMarie Bos, or Jasper Loos. They are happy to help you. This can also be done via the contact form on our website.
If you recognize yourself in this explanation and you think it would be cool to join our specialized Test Automation squad, take a look at our vacancies and apply!
