QA / Test Engineer
Finds and prevents bugs before software reaches users.
A QA (quality assurance) engineer's job is to find problems in software before users do, through a mix of manual testing (using the product like a real user would, trying to break it) and automated testing (writing code that tests other code automatically). A typical day might involve writing test cases for a new feature, running an automated test suite, and reporting bugs clearly enough that developers can reproduce and fix them.
QA engineers often work closely with developers throughout the development process, not just at the end, catching issues earlier is far more efficient than catching them after release.
Core tasks
- ✓Writing and executing test plans and test cases
- ✓Building and maintaining automated test suites
- ✓Manually testing new features for bugs and usability issues
- ✓Reporting and tracking bugs clearly
- ✓Verifying bug fixes
- ✓Collaborating with developers throughout the development cycle
Tools & skills used
Typical entry paths
- →Computer Science or Software Engineering
- →Information Technology
- →Some QA engineers enter with limited coding background and grow into automation over time
Common misconceptions
- It's not just 'clicking around' an app, modern QA engineering involves substantial coding for test automation.
- Good QA work is more about systematic, creative thinking (how could this break?) than following a checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What does a QA / Test Engineer do?
Finds and prevents bugs before software reaches users.
What are the core tasks of a QA / Test Engineer?
Day to day, this typically includes: Writing and executing test plans and test cases; Building and maintaining automated test suites; Manually testing new features for bugs and usability issues.
What tools or skills does a QA / Test Engineer use?
Common tools and skills for this role include Test automation frameworks, Basic to intermediate programming (for automated tests), Bug tracking software, Attention to detail and systematic thinking.
How do people typically become a QA / Test Engineer?
Computer Science or Software Engineering. Information Technology.
What's a common misconception about being a QA / Test Engineer?
It's not just 'clicking around' an app, modern QA engineering involves substantial coding for test automation.
What college majors lead to becoming a QA / Test Engineer?
Majors that commonly lead here include Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology. A major shapes what you study, it isn't a guarantee of landing this specific role.
Printed from majoratlas.com/careers/qa-engineer