Automation Engineer Career Guide

Key takeaways

Automation engineers design and build various automated machines and IT processes, playing a vital role in helping businesses streamline operations. 

• Engineering jobs are projected to grow at a faster-than-average rate, adding 186,500 openings each year from 2024 to 2034 [1].

• Automation tasks, such as streamlining support tickets and chatbot automation, are increasingly important areas for automation engineers. 

• You can help improve machines across industries like computer systems, telecommunications, management, and data processing in this role. 

Explore automation engineering careers and learn how to become one to determine if this is a path you would like to pursue. Or, start learning with the Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate. In the first six months, you can learn to manage IT resources at scale, both for physical machines and virtual machines in the cloud. By the end, you’ll have a shareable certificate to add to your professional profile. 

What does an automation engineer do?

In general, an automation engineer manages complex automated systems, designing, developing, and maintaining them to increase productivity and reduce costs for a business. In this role, you can help improve machines in industries like computer systems, telecommunications, management, and data processing. IT automation engineers work with systems such as workflows and software, while industrial automation engineers may work with physical machinery. 

Examine each position in more depth to understand the expected standard tasks.

IT automation engineer

IT automation engineers create automated software processes and solutions. In this position, you can expect to work on tasks of varying complexity that involve automating data on spreadsheets or automating artificial intelligence technology. The precise responsibilities will likely vary based on your employer. However, a few typical tasks you may engage in include the following:

• Examine existing software frameworks for opportunities to automate

• Research and create new and customized automation solutions

• Run quality assurance tests on databases and software

• Identify quality issues and other bugs in service, business, or development processes

• Install new software as needed to implement automated processes

• Collaborate with other employees to learn more about the company’s automation needs

Industrial automation engineer

Industrial automation engineers create automated systems and components for manufacturing, assembly, and production lines. Some of the typical tasks you can anticipate doing as an industrial automation engineer include:

• Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to design schematics

• Compile documentation of automation solutions’ design and use 

• Assess a business’s processes to identify areas for effective automation use

• Perform regular maintenance and troubleshooting on automated equipment

• Create and implement new automated machinery into existing processes

• Assist in creating training materials concerning automation

• Test products and processes for maximum efficiency

• Design control systems using hardware and software technologies

Industrial automation engineers work with systems involving three elements: measurement, control, and actuators.

• Measurements come from sensors that provide input into the performance of an automated system.

• Control involves complex systems to move a system into a desired state, such as turning a furnace on or off as required to keep a consistent temperature.

• Actuators include tools like pumps, heaters, pistons, or rotors that perform the needed actions to make the automated system work correctly.

Industrial automation engineers oversee the entire lifecycle of this system.

Read more: How to Become a QA Automation Tester 

Is it stressful to work as an automation engineer?

As an automation engineer, you’re often solving complex problems with tight deadlines. In some industries, this position may be high-pressure or high-stress, but proactive communication with your team and finding the fun in continuous learning can help mitigate this. If you’re someone who enjoys a fast-paced and challenging environment, you’ll likely find the work of an automation engineer to be rewarding rather than stressful. 

Outlook for automation engineer jobs

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates engineering jobs will grow at a faster-than-average rate, adding 186,500 each year from 2024 to 2034 [1]. These openings can occur when workers permanently leave their roles. Automation engineer careers are great options for people who have strong mechanical knowledge and enjoy solving problems. Because of the ongoing demand for automation engineers, you can anticipate job security, a career path with options for growth, and other perks, such as the option for remote work.

Industrial automation engineers work in various manufacturing industries, including car manufacturing and food processing plants. IT automation engineers work in customer-facing businesses that use IT help desks, chatbots, and customer experience software.

What is an automation engineer salary?

According to Glassdoor, the median total annual salary for an automation engineer in the US is $117,000 annually [2]. Education, years of experience, and certification are all factors that influence salary. For example, with less than one year of experience, you might make a median total salary of $93,000. After working in the field for 10 to 14 years, the median total salary increases to $131,000 [2]. 

Automation engineer degree and skill requirements

To qualify for an automation engineer role, you'll need a solid science, technology, engineering, and math background. Like many professionals, you could develop these skills while earning a four-year degree. Businesses often seek candidates with a degree, so competing against other degree-holding professionals for positions without one might be challenging. Internships and certifications are also helpful options.

Typically, employers look for automation engineers with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, though many professionals also opt to earn graduate degrees. A graduate degree can qualify you for more advanced positions and make you more competitive with many employers. Concentrations in statistics, robotics, databases, control systems, AI, or artificial neural networks offer insight into the automation process.

Some automation engineer skills to consider building in preparation for this job include:

Technical skills

• Experience with programming languages, such as Python or JavaScript

• Experience with automation frameworks 

• The ability to write automation scripts

• Software development and testing

• Cloud-based computing

• Coding experience

• Experience writing protocols

Workplace skills

• Problem-solving

• Analytical skills

• Communication skills 

Certifications for automation engineer jobs

Licensing and certification are great ways to develop needed skills and set yourself apart from other professionals in your field. Certifications demonstrate expertise and a willingness to be a lifelong learner, which is vital for success in this role. The International Society of Automation (ISA) offers the Certified Automation Professional certification, which is a third-party validation of skills and expertise in the field. Another ISA option, the Certified Control System Technician certification, has three levels, each of which can affirm your skills and knowledge.

Some states require engineers to hold either certification or licensure to get a job, so it’s important to double-check the requirements of where you want to work to ensure your resume accurately reflects your skills and competitiveness.

Similar careers

Automation engineers share many of the same skill sets as other engineering roles. Explore these related roles with their median total salaries:

• Network engineer: $123,000

• Reliability analyst: $104,000

• Network architect: $170,000

• Telecommunications engineer: $117,000

• Platform architect: $246,000

• Software architect: $229,000

• Testing engineer: $110,000

• Quality assurance analyst: $76,000

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of February 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Stay current with trends in tech and research

Interested in learning more about in-demand careers? Explore emerging trends and topics with a subscription to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat. Or check out the following resources to keep learning:

• Watch on YouTube: Software Engineering Roadmap for Beginners (With NO Experience) 

• Learn from experts: Becoming an AI Engineer: 7 Questions with an IBMer

• Explore new careers: AI Career Paths: Explore Roles & Specializations

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