The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the demand for software developers should skyrocket by 25% in the next decade. The aging workforce of baby boomers and older Generation Xers will start retiring soon, creating lots of vacancies in this role. Additionally, there will be more opportunities and new jobs created for automation developers due to the world’s increasing reliance on AI and automated systems in the IT world.
In 2023, U.S. News and World Report named software developers the best job on their list of top jobs. This number-one ranking was due to the high demand, with more than 370,000 positions available in the country, the high salary and the job satisfaction rate. Despite the perks of being a developer, there still are not enough skilled experts in this field.
Developer jobs have become more complex as technology for web applications and other types of software programs has evolved. Employers need automation engineers to keep up with the changes, maintain their knowledge and increase their capabilities. Newcomers to the industry may not have the required technical skills necessary to keep up with industry standards.
Incorporating automation technology could be a game-changer for a company. One example comes from the healthcare industry. Dexcom, a manufacturer of glucose monitoring systems for diabetes patients, turned to this technology to achieve a higher level of success. They used automation to push their robotic manufacturing process to its limits, increase their volume and limit their overhead.
According to Stephen Sikes, Director of Operational Excellence, “There was no additional headcount added. When we were growing at 50% per year, from 300 to 600 prescriptions a week. We didn't have to hire additional help because we had Document Understanding able to manage the intake.”
Automation frameworks have the potential to help companies reduce costs, increase production and boost profits. In this guide, we will show you how to hire automation developers so your company can benefit from this revolutionary technology.
Hiring a Freelance Automation Developer
The status of today’s workforce in the IT industry is changing from traditional work hours to more flexible schedules. Employers can still hire full-time developers or permanent part-time workers to fill their vacancies, but more companies have started to consider working with freelance talent.
Because of the unique nature of this job and the specialized skills and required work output, it may be more beneficial to consider remote freelance staff in this role. When you hire a freelance automation developer, you get access to a global database of the most talented IT professionals. You also get more flexible hours, top-quality work, savings on labor, tax benefits and a more custom approach to your project.
What Does an Automation Developer Do?
An automation developer assists companies with creating automated systems for business processes. Generally they work on automating software and testing, writing programs and testing protocols that act as quality assurance on software and manufacturing processes. They may also work to streamline a business’s operations and improve the way a company uses robotic technology or AI.
Why hire automation developers? One example of success in business automation comes from telecom giant AT&T. The team at AT&T “implemented more than 3,000 bots, developed an automation center of excellence, and realized a 20x return on investment.” Their decision to hire dedicated automation developers helped improve the workflow at the company and made employees' lives easier and the work less tedious.
The future looks bright for automation. If more companies invest in this technology and use resources to find automation developers for hire, they could revolutionize their business model and transform the global setting for workers in all industries.
How To Hire Automation Developers
The hiring process for automation developers starts with understanding what your business needs. Your company’s management has to work together to define the specific goals of your projects for automation and how an automation developer could create solutions for this project.
Then, determine the number of manpower hours you will need for an automation developer. If you do not have an in-house human resources department or an IT team, you may need to work with an outside consultant to figure out the scope of an automation developer’s work and how long certain tasks could take. Most of all, your decisions should be data-driven and rely on smart solutions.
The next step in the hiring process is to look for ways to source your talent. There are different places to find quality developers, but this is the part that may be the most challenging. Start with your local network to see if anyone has the skills you are looking for. Then, reach out to sites that specialize in freelance workers or staff augmentation to get a wider reach.
Depending on the type of product engineering you are doing with your project, you may need a developer at a specific career level. Junior developers are more numerous and easier to find in the hiring landscape. Senior and mid-level developers are more knowledgeable and rarer to source. Using a developer hiring solution site may be a smart choice.
What Skills To Look for When Hiring Automation Developers
Automation developers should have a variety of soft skills and technical skills to be successful at their jobs. Here are the basic requirements for an entry-level automation engineer:
- College degree in computer science or related field
- Certifications as Certified Software Test Engineer or equivalent
- Knowledge of Java/Python
Here are recommended automation developer skills you should look for in a mid-level or senior candidate:
| Soft Skills | Technical Skills |
|---|---|
| Ability To Troubleshoot - Automation testers have to constantly work to solve complex problems with software, code and web technologies. Candidates should have strong troubleshooting skills. | Experience creating test scripts and manually operating testing tools |
| Collaboration Skills - Testing code and software programs is a collaborative job, so a developer needs to work well with other team members. | Knowledge of Configuration Management software and source code programming |
| Attention to Detail - The details matter in this role, so look for applicants who demonstrate a strong attention to detail. | Expertise with programming language and Agile Methodologies |
| Stellar Communication Skills - Communication, both written and verbal, are also important in a developer’s role. They have to communicate project details and schedules to other team members. | Application Programming Interfaces skills and Containers and Kubernetes experience |
How Much Does It Cost To Hire Automation Developers?
The average annual salary for an automation developer is $108,312. Some areas that have a higher cost of living may pay more for this role. Additionally, more experienced developers may make more. Hourly, freelance developers earn on average $52, but the negotiated rate through a specific contract may be more or less.
Tips for Writing an Automation Developer Job Description
Next, you need to know how to write a succinct, compelling job description for an automation developer. The description is the first thing that candidates look at about your company, so you want to make it specific, realistic and detailed. Your job description also needs to attract skilled developers and motivate them to apply for your project.
After you get interested candidates, review their resumes for your most desired skills. Consider using different styles of assessments to evaluate each developer. It is smart to have a diverse pool of talent, so look for underserved populations and avoid biased evaluations. Group interviews, technical skills assessments and personality tests may also be helpful.
Common Interview Questions To Ask When You Are Looking To Hire an Automation Developer
When it is time to interview your candidates, you need a set of questions that quickly assess their skills in automation and software testing. You also need to know what the expected answers are to your questions so you have an idea of what to listen for.
The first question should be something like: What is your skill with automated testing frameworks? In the answer, listen for a candidate who mentions specific testing frameworks, such as Selenium or Robot Framework. Look for specific details about the nuances when working with these frameworks.
Next, ask a question along the lines of: Can you tell me about a time when you worked on an automation or testing assignment and you had to troubleshoot? The candidate should explain the process of an assignment, walking you through the different steps they used to troubleshoot. They should describe how they solved the issue and fixed the problem.
Lastly, ask the candidate a variation of: What is your process for data-driven testing? The candidate should have a good understanding of how data is part of the automated testing process. They should explain different sources they have used for data-driven testing and specifics about how it works.
How To Find Freelance Automation Developers for Hire
Finding good talent in the IT industry requires a lot of resources and creative thought. Your company should reach out to job fairs, hold recruiting events, connect with industry experts, recruit through coding camps and use freelancing sites to help augment your staff.
Toptal makes it simple, fast and convenient to have talented staff join your team. It and other sites to hire automation developers could give you and your team a way to fully employ automated practices into your business model. On any of these sites, you could find automation developers that make your job easier and improve your company.
Operating a successful business requires creative use of your human capital. With a team of dedicated automation developers, your business can soar to new levels by saving money, improving productivity and reducing waste.
Hiring Automation Developers FAQs
- How to hire automation developers
- There are several strategies you should employ to hire new developers. Posting job ads, partnering with university internship programs, attending job fairs and working with staffing agencies and freelance sites can help you get the staff you need.
- Are automation developers in demand?
- This is one of the top in-demand jobs in the current marketplace. Skilled developers with experience are even more in demand than entry-level software engineers. The industry does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon, so the demand should remain robust.
- Where can I hire automation developers?
- Use some of the sites we have listed in this guide to start your search for a knowledgeable developer. Writing a strong description of your project can get people excited about working with your team.
- Why should you hire an automation developer?
- Hiring developers with experience in automation scripts could give your company the boost it needs to harness the power of AI and other next-generation tasks. Automation is the future for most business processes, and recruiting top developers helps you get there faster.
- How much does it cost to hire an automation developer?
- Hiring developers on a full-time basis will cost you their annual salary, employment taxes, benefits and other expenses. To save money, consider hiring people in a contract role. This way, you get the expertise on your own terms and without extra costs.