What is a Quality Engineer and How to Become One?

Quality engineers verify that products achieve safety standards while maintaining operational performance and fulfilling all required specifications. The market would become overwhelmed with defective products, while customer complaints would rise dramatically, and companies would need to incur substantial costs for product recalls. 

But what exactly does a quality engineer do? And how do you become one? 

The guide explains the roles and required competencies of quality engineering and provides a path to start your career in this field. 

What Does a Quality Engineer Do? 

A quality engineer ensures that products and processes meet specific standards before they are released to customers. The team operates across various business sectors, including manufacturing and software development, healthcare services, and the automotive and aerospace industries. 

Their work involves tasks that go beyond detecting problems. The primary goal is to prevent these incidents from occurring. 

Core Responsibilities 

Quality engineers handle a range of tasks, including: 

Testing and inspection. They evaluate products at different stages of production. The process involves running tests, conducting data analysis, and utilizing equipment for defect detection. 

Process improvement. The team identifies the fundamental reason that causes system failures. Then they fix it. Quality engineers apply Six Sigma and Lean methodologies to optimize operational processes and reduce waste, adhering to their specific quality engineering methodology. 

Documentation and compliance. The team produces complete reports that meet quality standards and documentation requirements while following ISO 9001 and FDA regulations. 

Collaboration. Quality engineers maintain continuous interaction with design teams and production staff, and suppliers throughout their entire work process. The team reviews prototypes to provide feedback and offer design suggestions, as well as assist in resolving production issues. 

Root cause analysis. The team starts defect investigations after defects become visible. The team identifies the cause of the issue and takes steps to prevent it from recurring. 

Where Quality Engineers Work 

You’ll find quality engineers in almost every industry that makes or builds something. The production standards of manufacturing plants depend on these systems for operation. Software testing professionals must verify that software applications are bug-free before releasing them to the market. Medical device manufacturers rely on them to meet strict safety regulations. 

The duties of this position vary across different business industries. A quality engineer in automotive manufacturing might spend time on the factory floor running tests on vehicle components. The software quality engineer’s responsibilities include writing test scripts and conducting code reviews. 

Skills and Qualifications You Need 

Quality engineers must use their technical knowledge in conjunction with analytical abilities and precise observation skills to perform their duties effectively. 

Educational Needs 

Quality engineer jobs need candidates who hold at least a bachelor’s degree for their initial qualification. The main academic paths for this field include: 

• Mechanical engineering 

• Industrial engineering 

• Manufacturing engineering 

• Quality management 

• Materials science 

Employers will consider candidates with degrees from related fields when they bring appropriate work experience and certification credentials. 

Technical Skills 

Statistical analysis. Quality engineers perform quantitative system performance assessments through statistical methods, which help them detect data patterns. You need to learn about standard deviation, control charts, and hypothesis testing concepts. 

Quality management systems (QMS). QMS software knowledge enables you to monitor defects, handle audits, and manage document management. The three main platforms used for quality management include SAP Quality Management, Minitab, and Arena. 

Problem-solving methodologies. The three quality management frameworks include Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and Total Quality Management (TQM). Most employers seek job applicants who hold Six Sigma certification at either Green Belt or Black Belt levels. 

CAD software. The manufacturing workforce requires employees to interpret technical drawings and operate computer-aided design software, including AutoCAD and SolidWorks. 

Programming and automation. For software quality engineering, proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or SQL is essential. The knowledge of automation and robotics systems has started to gain significance for manufacturing operations. 

Soft Skills 

Technical knowledge alone will not be enough to succeed. 

Attention to detail. The ability to detect minor defects at their initial stage forms the base for delivering high-quality results. 

Communication. Your duties will include explaining complex technical matters to non-engineers, creating reports, and presenting results to management. 

Collaboration. Quality engineering requires team members to work together as a single unit. Your ability to develop relationships with different department members will determine your success. 

Critical thinking. The solutions to problems rarely present themselves in straightforward ways. You need to assess data while testing multiple solutions and running experimental tests to prove your research hypotheses. 

How to Become a Quality Engineer 

Ready to start? Here’s a step-by-step roadmap. 

1. Get the Right Education

Students should begin their academic journey by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field. The topics should include: 

• Quality control 

• Manufacturing processes 

• Materials science 

• Statistics and data analysis 

• Engineering design 

Students who participate in college internships gain hands-on work experience, which strengthens their job prospects by enhancing their competitiveness in job applications. Students should search for internships at manufacturing companies, engineering consultancies, and quality management organizations. 

2. Build Technical Skills

The hiring process focuses on finding candidates who can start work immediately while delivering substantial value to their organization. The following technical skills development path will help you achieve your goals: 

• Online courses in Six Sigma, Lean, or quality management 

• Software training (Minitab, MATLAB, CAD programs) 

• Side projects or freelance work where you apply quality principles 

Consider getting these credentials to make your resume stand out: 

• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) through the American Society for Quality (ASQ) 

• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt 

• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification 

Earning these certifications shows your expertise in industry standards and best practices. 

3. Get Experience

The entry-level positions for new employees typically include Quality Technician, Quality Inspector, or Junior Quality Engineer. The positions provide new employees with direct experience in quality operations and testing methods, as well as practical issue resolution. 

Your first position does not need to be in quality, but you can gain applicable experience through work in manufacturing, production, or process improvement roles. 

4. Specialize in an Industry

Quality engineering employs distinct methods in various industrial sectors. The main focus of some organizations deals with physical product development. The primary focus of these organizations is on software and service development. 

Identify which areas match your personal interests: 

• Manufacturing and automotive industries require complete process control and testing, and follow all necessary compliance standards. 

• Medical devices and pharmaceuticals must meet stringent safety standards and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements. 

• Software and technology companies focus their efforts on product testing, user interface development, and identifying system bugs. 

• The aerospace and defense industry requires absolute quality excellence because any defect becomes unacceptable. 

Your expertise in a specific area will increase your professional worth in that particular field. 

5. Keep Learning

Quality standards evolve through time. New regulations become active in the market. The field of technology keeps moving forward. Quality engineers who strive for excellence must continually update their knowledge base. 

Industry conferences provide valuable opportunities for attendance. The American Society for Quality (ASQ) welcomes professionals who want to join its organization. Continuing education programs help you learn new skills. Industry publications offer valuable information to readers. Quality professionals can connect with each other through networking activities. 

Your career development requires the same continuous improvement approach that organizations use for their processes. 

What to Expect: Salary and Job Outlook 

Quality engineers receive salaries that fall within competitive ranges. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that industrial engineers working in quality engineering roles earn more than $95,000 annually, based on their median salary data. 

New employees who join the field begin their careers at salaries ranging from $60,000 to $70,000. Quality engineers who obtain certifications and develop specific skills can earn salaries above $100,000. 

The employment market shows steady growth. Organizations will continue to require staff members who focus on quality maintenance, defect reduction, and operational optimization. 

The healthcare, automotive, and aerospace industries are experiencing rising customer needs and regulatory standards, which create a higher demand for quality engineers. 

Quality engineering professionals face continuous high demand across different industries, with regulated sectors showing the greatest need for their expertise. 

Is Quality Engineering Right for You? 

People who enjoy puzzle-solving, data analysis, and process optimization will find this career path suitable. The ability to work with teams and present findings to others is essential for this role; however, being an extrovert is not a requirement. 

Quality engineering suits people who focus on details and analyze systems while taking a genuine interest in operational efficiency. 

The work involves different tasks throughout each day. Your workday could start with production floor responsibilities, followed by spreadsheet analysis and executive presentations. Your direct contribution to product development, process optimization, and customer satisfaction becomes visible through your work. 

Your Next Move 

Quality engineering provides employees with a stable career path that enables them to advance their professional development. The career development process requires employees to pursue education while building technical competencies and gaining work experience, and maintaining continuous professional development. 

The job market provides opportunities to both new graduates who want to choose their career path and professionals who wish to shift into different fields. 

Hunter Recruiting helps candidates find high-quality engineering positions that match their qualifications. Hunter Recruiting assists engineering candidates in securing positions at leading companies across various sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and others. Our recruitment team understands what employers require, so we present engineering job opportunities that align with your career goals. 

You can start your job search by sending your resume or exploring our current engineering job listings. Our team will help you discover your future career opportunities.