Requirements Engineer
Do you want to contribute significantly to the success of a project? As a Requirements Engineer that is exactly your job. Not only do you act as the link between the customer and the development team, but you also play a central role in the project, working hand in hand with all project participants. You make sure that both sides speak the same language and create a common understanding of what the system to be developed will look like and in what context it is located.
All open positions for Requirements Engineers
What does a Requirements Engineer do at Unic?
As a Requirements Engineer at Unic, you skilfully choose the right method for the systematic collection of requirements (e.g. workshops, interviews, shoulder glances) and develop the product backlog together with the Product Owner. Requirements are specified in the form of user stories with acceptance criteria. Before these are planned into sprints, the requirements engineer checks the requirements and ensures a good quality of the requirements. When necessary, he also creates a detailed specification and diagrams for a better understanding of structure, function and behavior. In addition, he coordinates them with the various stakeholders and solves existing conflicts. The criteria for which user stories are checked are laid down in the Definition of Ready. The DoR is also usually formulated at the beginning of the project by the requirements engineer and coordinated with the team.
This procedure is repeated continuously during the agile course of the project. Use cases or epics identified at the beginning are sharpened and broken down into tasks.
Requirements can also change in the course of the project. Requirements management is therefore indispensable and is also the responsibility of the requirements engineer.
Who does the Requirements Engineer work with?
Depending on the project organization, the Requirements Engineer is part of the development team, which consists of UX Designer, Front-/Backend Developer and Test Engineer, or works in parallel. Independent of this, you work closely with these disciplines and clarify the technical feasibility of the requirements directly with the developers, for example.
On the customer side, the Requirements Engineer works mainly with the Product Owner and representatives from the relevant departments (e.g. Subject Areas, Marketing, IT, HR). Depending on the division of work between Product Owner, Project Manager and Requirements Engineer, he is also responsible for stakeholder management.
What is most important in the work of a Requirements Engineer?
Probably the most important thing is never to lose track and juggle the most diverse requirements. In addition, as development progresses and there is a constant exchange with stakeholders, new requirements emerge again and again, which are incorporated into the project in a structured manner. Certain things are also implicitly accepted and not explicitly expressed. The art of requirements engineering is to make these things visible and to cast them into a form that can be understood by everyone.
"Recognizing requirements and casting them into a form that is understandable for all stakeholders is the art of requirements engineering." Corinne Sager
If a project does not include professional requirements engineering, there is a risk that requirements will gradually change, be unclear, incorrect, contradictory or even absent. This leads to unnecessary blockages in the course of the project as well as additional work if, for example, already programmed software has to be changed.
What are the characteristics of a Requirements Engineer?
A Requirements Engineer, especially in an agency environment, should be able to quickly familiarize with new specialist areas and topics, because every project and every customer has individual needs that need to be identified. In addition, good communication skills, persuasiveness, self-confidence, steadfastness and mediation skills are very important in conflicts. Analytical thinking and a structured way of working round off your qualities.
Does the agile world of Product Owners still need Requirements Engineers?
Yes, it does. In the best case scenario, a Product Owner ensures that the team continuously delivers business value, prioritizes and refines the product backlog. In addition, the Product Owner manages stakeholders and delivers sufficiently detailed requirements to the development team. However, Product Owners often have to manage a day-to-day business and not the resources or skills required to define requirements at the level required for development. This is where the Requirements Engineer comes in.
How to become a Requirements Engineer?
A Requirements Engineer is often characterized by in-depth knowledge in one or more areas. This makes it easier for him to formulate implementable requirements and to recognize dependencies. Various training courses impart the basics of requirements engineering. For in-depth knowledge of methods and documentation forms, especially in agile project methods, there are certifications, for example from IREB (International Requirements Engineering Board) or CAS study courses.
Are you excited about a job at Unic as a Requirements Engineer? Then take a look at our vacancies and send us your application - or take the initiative!
