How to Become an RPA Developer [Step-by-Step in 2020]

Robotic Process Automation or RPA technology has transformed the fields of data analytics, quality assurance, and testing. As an RPA developer, you would surpass routine tasks and focus on activities that require a high degree of creativity, judgment, decision-making capability. 

The research firm Forester projects the RPA service market to reach $12 billion by 2023. The technology is expected to dominate across industries, from BFSI to Legal to Manufacturing and Aviation. It is also likely to enable improvised analytics, better data accuracy, and improved formatting tasks.

As more organizations understand the benefits of adopting RPA, the demand for professionals having prior knowledge of automation tools and techniques would rise. 

What is RPA Developer?

RPA development is concerned with creating and implementing software solutions like bots to enhance business process efficiency and customer experience. Here are the standard RPA developer roles that you can pursue:

Process Designer

Process designers are responsible for designing and monitoring process workflows of RPA initiatives. They work alongside automation architects and clients to draw up a map for adopting the current process while ensuring that the system’s quality is in line with industry best practices. Also, they enable implementation teams to work synchronously by undertaking knowledge-sharing initiatives and suggesting improvement measures. 

As for the practical skills, a process designer must have experience in programming and coding, including prior knowledge of relational databases and application development. Familiarity with RPA technologies like UiPath, Blue Prism, and Automation Anywhere is another essential requirement.

Besides, a fundamental understanding of the Lean Six Sigma process methodologies can prove beneficial in standing out from your competitors. You would also need to refine your problem-solving and multitasking abilities as this job position entails managing multiple portfolios. 

The RPA process designer position’s starting salary ranges from INR 6,00,000 to 8,00,000 per annum in India. Qualified candidates with 2-6 years of relevant experience can earn anywhere from INR 9,00,000 to 15,00,000 in a year. 

Automation Architect

The automation architects build RPA projects for an enterprise as a part of the automation team. Depending on the organization’s tools, it may or may not be required to have developer experience for this job position. However, it is essential to have a conceptual and working knowledge of programming and RPA tooling. 

Automation architects are expected to prepare the technical specifications and architecture for RPA projects. To perform such tasks, they need to have hands-on exposure to:

• C/C++, Java, JS, Python, Ruby, VB Script, .Net
• JIRA, NICE, Nuance, Oracle, SAP, and Automation Frameworks
• Automation Anywhere, UiPath, Redwood, WorkFusion, Open Span, etc.

If you focus on developing the above competencies, you can qualify for lucrative IT jobs. The average salary of a beginner automation architect in India is estimated at INR 10,00,000 per annum. With 3-9 years of work experience, you can occupy senior positions with a much higher annual pay of about INR 19,55,0000. 

Production Manager

RPA production managers contribute to business outcomes by creating a feedback loop that facilitates both project integrity and timely changes. Their work usually begins after the RPA project is tested and rolled out throughout the organization. We have mentioned some of their job duties below.

• Ensuring that the process is triggered as intended
• Addressing in-line prompts (for example, “Invoice amount is more than the PO amount for a special order item – accept or reject?”) and handling process exceptions
• Reporting bugs and bringing them to the notice of automation architects
• Reviewing analytics and give recommendations to the process designer

The typical job specifications for the production manager role include a minimum of one year of experience in end-to-end implementation and RPA architecture and delivery. Demonstrated expertise in integrating disparate technologies and working with RPA tools is another plus. Now, let us examine the average pay associated with this job. 

Leading firms in the IT industry offer a total compensation of INR 7,00,000 a year to trained freshers. Senior professionals can make as high as INR 18,00,000 annually. 

How to Become an RPA Developer?

Typically for RPA jobs, a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related fields is considered a necessary prerequisite. Other professional credentials and certifications can help you add the required technical skills and qualifications to your profile. The training must offer instructor-led sessions, assessments, and project work to give you a holistic grounding in your chosen subject. 

You can consider online programs like the PG Diploma in ML and AI by IIIT-Bangalore. It presents many opportunities for student-expert interaction, industry projects, personalized mentorship, and professional networking. Additionally, it provides comprehensive career support through resume consultation, interview preparation, and job assistance.

Alternatively, you can go for the online M.Sc. in ML and AI offered jointly by Liverpool John Moores University (UK) and IIIT-B. This 18-month program allows for flexible learning and includes content engagement in the following areas:

• Technical: 20 languages, tools, and libraries, 35+ live sessions
• Experiential: 11 coding assignments, 12 case studies, and 10 capstone projects

An advanced course of study can supplement your existing education and experience, opening up avenues at progressively higher industry levels. 

Future Scope of RPA

Organizations worldwide are increasingly using robotics to power their customer-focused and external processes. In India, leading companies like Siemens, Tata Motors, Ford, Citi Bank, Wipro, and KPMG hire for RPA developer jobs. There are various high-paying prospects in the US and the UK, as well. 

The current market trends highlight that RPA can be a powerful and flexible tool for evolving and equipping tomorrow’s workforce. When adequately integrated with other tools and human resources, it can promote industry-wide productivity and innovation. 

Moreover, experts foresee Smart Process Automation (SPA) to be a natural extension of RPA. And as enterprises move from the pilot and proof-of-concept stage to the production phase, RPA and AI capabilities would be in greater demand.

Check out: RPA Developer Salary in India: For Freshers & Experienced

Summing up

In this article, we explained the different types of robotic process automation roles and responsibilities. We also covered the base on the required practical skills and salary packages of such jobs in India. Next, we looked at what is RPA developer training like and the ideal takeaways from the angle of career advancement.

Then, we listed some leading recruiters in this space and ended with an overview of what is in store for RPA development in the coming years. With these insights, you would be in a position to evaluate the value of learning this technology to your professional path.