Challenges in the Life of "Automation Engineer"

Being an Automation Engineer can feel like a whirlwind ride through uncharted territories, filled with contradictions and misunderstandings. Let’s unpack some of these challenges :

1) Job Role: Joining North Pole to North Pole ???

People in support functions don’t understand the developers’ challenges or tech limitations — they just want results. Meanwhile, automation developers often ignore the ever-changing requirements, refusing to grasp the intricacies of design or technology. It’s like trying to unite two polar opposites (literally!).

2) Do Magic: Create the Impossible ???

Expectation: "Automate EVERYTHING!" Reality: We can only automate what’s already doable manually. Sure, we’ll make it faster, more secure, and error-free — but don’t expect us to conjure something out of thin air. Spoiler alert: We’re engineers, not magicians.

3) Seen as the Enemy ????

Managers hail you as the bringer of efficiency, while team members eye you suspiciously.

In this tough job market and evolving roles, you’re often perceived as a job snatcher. They hand you the most pointless tasks or requirements that morph every week. Congratulations, you’ve become the office punching bag.

4) False Agreement ????

The team nods enthusiastically in front of management, promising to support automation initiatives. But behind the scenes? They’re conspiring to let your efforts fail spectacularly. It’s like a Game of Thrones subplot, but with fewer dragons and more snakes.

5) No Appreciation ????

Even after pulling off near-miracles with your automation magic, the team conveniently forgets to mention your efforts. Credit is hoarded like a prized possession and kept close, and you’re left wondering if anyone even noticed what you did.

6) Over-Excited Management ????

Decisions are made at the top based on market trends, fancy product demos, and buzzwords like AI-driven hyper-automation. But they have little idea about end-user realities, team dynamics, or adaptability on the ground. It’s like fitting a square peg into a round hole — repeatedly.

7) Unmanageable Tech Stack ????

Every team has its favorite tech tools and insists on pushing them as the organizational standard. But what’s "ideal" for one team becomes a nightmare for another. Imagine automating something on a custom UI portal designed in-house by the developers' of the Engineering team, but to be used on a self-service model and expected to be modified by someone in the support team. Chaos!

8) Not Knowing Everything ???

You’re expected to be a master of all trades, but your success often depends on external support teams like IAM, Network, or Security. If they miss a step, guess who’s reverse-engineering their work? (Hint: it’s you.) And proving them wrong takes Sherlock Holmes-level detective work, as they will not accept their mistake until proven with proof.

9) Time is Money ??

Automation is often considered as a last-minute savior for urgent tasks. You’re expected to deliver before tight deadlines with enough room for testing — but nobody gives you enough time to develop or plan.

Deliver on time? Expected. Miss the deadline? Useless. Talk about a lose-lose scenario.

10) Use It, But Don’t Own It ????

Everyone loves using automation tools, but nobody wants to maintain or own them. Ownership is a hot potato, and guess who’s left holding it when the music stops? That’s right, you.