Automation Engineer vs. Devops Engineer: What Are the Differences?
Learn about the two careers and review some of the similarities and differences between them.
Automation engineers and DevOps engineers are both responsible for improving the efficiency of software development and deployment. However, there are some key differences between these two roles. In this article, we compare and contrast automation engineering and DevOps engineering, and provide some tips for choosing the right career path for you.
What is an Automation Engineer?
Automation Engineers develop and implement software to automate tasks that would otherwise be performed manually. They work with developers and other stakeholders to understand the workflows that need to be automated and then design, build and test the automation scripts. Automation Engineers also monitor the performance of the automation scripts and make modifications as needed. They may also be responsible for training other staff members on how to use the automation software. Automation Engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.
What is a Devops Engineer?
A DevOps Engineer is responsible for the smooth operation of the software development process. They work with developers, quality assurance (QA) personnel, and system administrators to ensure that code changes are made in a controlled and safe manner. DevOps Engineers automate tasks wherever possible to speed up the software development process and improve efficiency. They also create and maintain documentation for the software development process and for the various applications and systems that make up the software development infrastructure.
Automation Engineer vs. Devops Engineer
Here are the main differences between an automation engineer and a devops engineer.
Job Duties
Both automation and devops engineers help their companies improve efficiency. However, the duties they perform for this purpose differ. An automation engineer uses software to automate processes. They design these processes and then develop the software required to implement them. A devops engineer uses similar methods to achieve different goals. While an automation engineer focuses on improving production, a devops engineer focuses on improving deployment.
A key difference between the two professions is that automation engineers focus primarily on software, while devops engineers focus on systems. Systems include software, but also other elements like networking and infrastructure. This distinction means that a devops engineer may oversee more parts of a company’s operations than an automation engineer.
Job Requirements
Automation engineers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering to enter the field. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master’s degree or higher. Automation engineers should also be proficient in programming languages, such as Java and Python, and have experience working with automation tools, such as Selenium and Puppet.
DevOps engineers often have a similar educational background as automation engineers. They usually need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering. DevOps engineers should also be proficient in programming languages and have experience working with automation tools. In addition, DevOps engineers should have experience with cloud computing platforms, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.
Work Environment
Automation engineers typically work in manufacturing or industrial settings. They may also work for companies that provide automation services to other businesses. DevOps engineers usually work in software development environments, such as IT departments at technology companies. Some devops engineers may work in operations and maintenance roles within a company’s IT department.
Skills
Both automation engineers and DevOps engineers need to have a strong understanding of computer systems and how they work. They also both need to be able to code, although the languages they use may differ depending on the company’s needs and preferences.
Automation engineers typically focus on automating tasks that are performed by humans. This can include tasks like testing software or deploying code. Automation engineers need to be able to understand the business processes that they are automating and design solutions that will streamline these processes. They also need to be able to troubleshoot issues that arise with their automated solutions.
DevOps engineers focus on improving the communication and collaboration between different teams within an organization, such as the development team and the operations team. They also work on automating tasks, but their focus is more on automating the process of delivering code from the development team to the operations team. DevOps engineers need to be able to understand the needs of both the development team and the operations team and find ways to improve the way these teams work together. They also need to be able to troubleshoot issues that arise with the delivery of code.
Salary
Automation engineers earn an average salary of $90,833 per year, while DevOps engineers earn an average salary of $114,958 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the engineer has.