Are you considering a career as a QA Engineer or looking to advance in your current role? Discover the requirements to excel in this field, including the necessary skills and experience, career progression paths, and salary expectations. If you have a strong technical background and a passion for software, QA Engineering may be the perfect fit for you. As a QA Engineer, you can utilize both your technical and interpersonal abilities to build a rewarding career. This blog will guide you through how to become QA engineer.

What is Quality Assurance?

Quality Assurance (QA) is a methodology employed in the product development cycle to guarantee their quality prior to distribution to customers. This entails establishing standards for a product and evaluating it to verify compliance. In the event the product does not meet the standards, it undergoes modification or revision until it satisfies the requirements.

The significance of QA lies in ensuring that products conform to customer expectations and avoiding the waste of resources and funds in producing products that won’t sell. It also serves a crucial safety function by preventing faulty goods from reaching consumers.

What Does a QA Engineer Do?

The role of a QA Engineer involves ensuring that a product meets all necessary criteria before it becomes available to consumers. This includes developing and executing testing plans, monitoring the production process, and making sure everything is of the required quality.

Success as a QA Engineer also requires strong time-management skills, the ability to handle pressure, and exceptional problem-solving abilities. Additionally, the use of specialized software may be necessary for efficient product testing. Overall, being a QA Engineer is a crucial and demanding profession.

Steps to Become a Successful QA Engineer 2023

To be a successful quality assurance (QA) engineer, you must have the ability to verify software applications meet the required standards prior to their public release. You must be skilled in testing and identifying issues to ensure the software meets company standards. If you have an interest in technology and enjoy problem-solving, then a career as a QA engineer may be right for you. In this article, we will walk you through the steps needed to become a QA engineer, along with outlining the duties and compensation of the role.

Develop Coding Skills

To start a career as a QA Engineer, obtaining an education is the first step, which can be done through either a coding boot camp or college, besides acquiring QA engineer skills over time. The choice of which path to take depends on your timeline to enter the industry. An alternative is to enroll in online courses, which allow you to study web development at your own pace from home.

While a university degree program takes more time to complete, it provides a more comprehensive education. On the other hand, boot camp providers, like General Assembly in New York, offer a faster and more focused curriculum for quicker entry into the field. However, you may need to continue learning and advancing your education as you progress in your career. Familiarize yourself with in-demand software, including JavaScript, HTML, Bootstrap, jQuery, and MERN. 88% of QA Engineers have a Bachelor’s Degree while the necessary technical skills for a good QA engineer include Selenium, JavaScript, API Testing, Test Automation, Agile Software Development, Test Cases, Frameworks, and Scripting. 

Understand Test Automation & Manual Testing Practices

To be an effective QA engineer, one must possess knowledge of both manual testing and test automation techniques. QA engineering involves verifying that software meets customer/client requirements through manual testing (manually running tests) or test automation (using tools to run tests automatically). It’s crucial for QA engineers to have proficiency in both methods.

Get Familiar with the Software Development Cycle

To excel as a QA engineer, a comprehensive understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle is crucial to ensure quality is maintained throughout the entire development process, across every stage. By possessing all the necessary skills, you can ensure software applications meet the highest quality standards and excel in your role as a quality assurance engineer.

Work on Your Soft Skills

Besides technical proficiency, to succeed as a QA Engineer, it’s crucial to hone soft skills such as effective communication abilities, analytical mindset, attention to detail, patience with repetitive tasks, and adaptability to a fast-paced work environment

Get Your QA Certification

There are several certifications available for QA Engineers, but it’s not necessary to obtain all of them. You can choose from the top five certifications:

  • Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE)
  • Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA)
  • Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST)
  • Certified Manager of Software Quality (CMSQ)
  • International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)

Build Your Own Portfolio

With a QA certification in hand, it’s important to create a strong portfolio to showcase your: proficiency in multiple programming languages, understanding of key elements of the QA process, and testing methodology and approach.

It’s Time To Look for Jobs

Before applying for QA Engineer jobs, it’s crucial to have a well-crafted technical resume. Consider utilizing resources provided by your educational institution’s career services to create a strong resume.

Then, begin your job search by filtering for desirable entry-level positions. Ensure to practice and refine your interview skills so you can confidently respond to the interviewer’s questions.

Job Roles/Titles in QA Engineering

To become a quality analyst engineer, a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field is required. They develop and implement quality assurance processes, test products, and review product specifications. These professionals are sought after in manufacturing and engineering but can also work in other industries like healthcare and services. Employers often prefer candidates with prior experience in quality assurance or manufacturing. Common job titles include quality control engineer, quality assurance manager, and quality engineer.

Wrapping Up!

To pursue a career as a quality assurance engineer, take action today. Brush up your coding abilities and immerse yourself in the testing industry. Utilize online resources such as KnowledgeHut Six Sigma courses, and Lean manufacturing. Attend local meetups to enhance your knowledge and skills. Maintain an inquisitive mindset and continuously educate yourself, as the software industry is always evolving with new advancements. With determination and effort, you can reach your goal of becoming a successful QA engineer.