Quality Assurance

Have you come across the job title QA Engineer and realised you’re not quite sure what it involves? Or perhaps want to know more about the kind of skills you need to land your dream QA Engineer job?

Keep reading because this blog by the expert team at BMR Solutions is all about shining a light on this detail orientated and problem-solving engineering job.

What is a QA Engineer?

First things first, QA stands for quality assurance. Which means a QA Engineer is the person responsible for making sure a product or digital code has been thoroughly tested to ensure it has no bugs, missing elements or errors. In a nutshell, QA Engineers make sure manufacturers produce quality products and software.

A QA Engineer will be involved in every step of the manufacturing process, from design through to build and then at the final testing stage too. This means it is a very important role, and you will work across a range of different teams and departments.

QA Engineer Job Description

The exact job of a QA Engineer will vary depending on the company and what products or software is produced by that company. There are usually some similarities between QA Engineer jobs though, and a typical list of responsibilities might look something like the below:

  • Reviewing technical designs to spot errors and make amendments
  • Developing new, state of the art testing processes
  • Implementing product tests at various stages of design and manufacture
  • Diligently log, record and document bugs and errors in the product or software
  • Comprehensive reporting on test results
  • Presenting test results and feedback to design and build teams
  • Coordinating and planning the testing and feedback process
  • Liaising with internal teams to ensure bugs and errors are resolved

Education & Work Experience Requirements

Many QA Engineer jobs will require applicants to have a degree in Engineering or Computer Science, however this is not the only way to get a QA Engineer role.

If you are looking to specialise in software engineering, you may also be able to take shorter, more targeted courses in software development and coding. There are even lots of courses and tutorials online for free, which means you could learn the basics through self-study.

Often QA Engineers start out in QA Tester roles, where the focus is more on the practical testing and data collection. Once these skills are cemented in a real-world environment, you will then develop skills that allow you to add on engineering responsibilities, such as creating the testing processes in the first place, and analysing their results.

QA Engineer Skillset

As well as having official qualifications, employers will look for a range of skills and experience in applicants. These might include, but are not limited to:

IT Skills

As a QA Engineer your role will be almost entirely based on a computer or software system, so you will need assured IT skills and be able to demonstrate these easily.

Coding

Depending on if you are working as a QA Engineer for a software development company, or somewhere that manufacturers physical products, the need for coding will be different. If you are working on software, you’ll need to be a coding whizz.

Problem Solver

If you love working out strategic ways to win at games and the thought of solving complex and often hidden problems doesn’t faze you, you will be well suited to a career in QA Engineering.

Detail Orientated

Analysing long and technical data is a huge part of the role of a QA Engineer, so you’ll need to be adept at combing through coding or designs with a fine-tooth comb.

QA Engineer Salary

QA Engineering is a rapidly growing role. As technology develops, so does the need for software QA Engineers to test and analyse it. This means it is a great role to get into in terms of pay and opportunities for quick promotion or progression. You can read more about which engineering roles are most in demand in our previous blog.

Although figures can vary dramatically across industries, an entry level QA Engineer could expect to earn about £26,000 while a senior QA Engineer might earn around £36,000 on average. From here, a QA Engineer might progress on to become a Quality Assurance Manager or Director, where salaries increase further.

Find Your Ideal Job with BMR Solutions

The BMR Solutions team are experts in engineering recruitment, and we work across Bristol and the surrounding areas to ensure we match our fantastic clients with the best candidates out there.

If you are an aspiring engineer or are looking to take the next step in your career, get in touch and let us help you today. We’ll get to know your skillset and ambitions and help you to find your dream role.

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