How to Become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Q: What are the top software engineer colleges in India?

Bennett University, Greater Noida , Indian Institute of Technology Bombay , Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal , College of Engineering, Pune , SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai .

- Salary, Qualification, Skills, Role and Responsibilities

Who is a Software Quality Assurance Engineer?

If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it's wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed ~ Robert M. Pirsig

In a career as a software quality assurance engineer, an individual is intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive. In the present scenario, digitalisation is taking place at an exponential rate. Various online platforms are being created in the form of websites, applications, operating systems and software. Within a span of a few years, software has become an inevitable part of our lives. From GPS trackers to social networking, everything is dependent on software. Online education has taken a considerable place in students as well as teachers lives.

Hence, having a loophole in software is a non-negotiable aspect for software companies. This is where a software quality assurance engineer comes into the picture. Students can pursue Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering to opt for a quality assurance career pathway. Here, in this article, we will discuss the details of a software quality assurance career path, such as software quality assurance engineer job description, software quality assurance engineer skills, software quality assurance engineer salary, and software quality assurance engineer education and how to become a software quality assurance engineer.

Software Quality Assurance Engineer in a Nutshell

Individuals who opt for a career as a software quality assurance engineer are software testers who develop various codes and test cases in order to analyse the efficiency and accuracy of a software product. As a software quality assurance engineer, he or she is responsible for handling a variety of tasks that are both technical and non-technical. Technical responsibilities include coding, preparing test cases, performing testing, and gathering requirements. Whereas, non-technical tasks include coordinating with team members, supervising the staff, and verifying the deployment of software products at the final stage.

Quick Facts for Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Industry
Technology
Average Salary in India
₹41500
Suitable for
Male, Female

Information and technology is a field that supports every gender. There are no restrictions to find a career in software engineering. Both men and women interested in computer science can choose a career as a software quality assurance engineer. It is a demanding job which requires one to possess artistry, advanced technical knowledge along with team management.
Any special needs
Yes

This profession suits everyone who is responsible enough to handle designing tasks and possesses the accurate curiosity to prepare the codes behind them. Anyone with appropriate skills and the zeal to excel in the field of computer science can choose to be a software quality assurance engineer. Hence, candidates with special needs can choose to become software quality assurance engineers.

Table of Contents for Software Quality Assurance Engineer

What is the role of Software Quality Assurance Engineer?

Types of a Software Quality Assurance Engineer

What is the workplace/work environment of Software Quality Assurance Engineer like?

How to become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer?

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Software Quality Assurance Engineer?

Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Software Quality Assurance Engineer?

Career path progression for Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Software Quality Assurance Engineer Jobs and Salaries

What is the job outlook for Software Quality Assurance Engineer?

Frequently Asked Questions for Software Quality Assurance Engineer

What is the role of Software Quality Assurance Engineer?

The software quality assurance career path requires breaking the entire process into goals that include verifications, activities, measurements, abilities and commitments. This process of breaking down the entire process is an important step since it prevents the work from piling up and allows the engineer to have complete control over the entire project. An Individual in the software quality assurance career path must be able to see the final product beforehand.

These insights help them to meet certain requirements and compare the actual product with the proposed one. Also, the time frame is an important factor in software development. Any delay in time affects the cost of software by a considerable amount. Hence, a software quality assurance engineer is required to keep up the momentum of software development and should oversee the whole team.

Requirement-gathering

The first phase of software development and testing involves understanding the product that is required to be tested. Additionally, engineers are also required to study their function and purpose. In other words, we can say that the requirements of inputs, outputs, and the final product are marked and verified by clients. Requirements can be both physical and mental. Engineers study the project inside-out and then are required to lay out the necessary details pertaining to software development.

System Design

The requirements gathered in the first phase are studied in this phase and system design is prepared. System design helps in specifying hardware and system specifications. It also helps in defining overall system architecture. In addition to this, the codes required for the next development and testing stages are created now.

Identification

Identification is a process in software testing where several conditions are considered into account and presented as per their nature and convenience. Engineers primarily develop different test cases that are to be taken into account during software testing.

There are various factors that affect the software testing process such as levels and depth of testing, the complexity of the product, the product and project risks, test management, skills and knowledge of the team, and availability of the stakeholders. The process of identification is carried out because it helps in increasing the test coverage.

Integration and Testing

All the test cases developed in the identification phase are integrated into a system after conducting a separate test on each unit. The software design is required to go through constant software testing to find out if there are any flaws or errors. Testing is an important part of an engineer’s work as it ensures that the client does not face any problems while dealing with the software.

Deployment of System

After the successful completion of testing, software deployment and supply management is the second big step involved in software development. As a software quality assurance engineer, he or she is responsible for verifying the suitable environment for deployment and other necessary specifications.

Maintenance work

Maintenance is a lengthy process that takes place after the installation and involves making modifications to the system or an individual component. Maintenance work is a necessary step that alters the attributes and improves performance. These modifications occur either because a customer demands a specific change or defects are identified during the live use of the system.

Types of a Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Here, we will discuss various types of a software quality assurance Engineer or software quality assurance Engineer career options.

Software Developer: Software developers are in charge of the entire development process for a software program. They may begin by asking how the customer plans to use the software. They must identify the core functionality that users need from software programs. Software developers must also determine user requirements that are unrelated to the functions of the software, such as the level of security and performance needs.

Computer Programmer: Computer programmers build computer applications by writing code in various computer languages. They test new programs and check for bugs. Computer programmers usually need a bachelor's degree, but some employers hire programmers with an associate degree.

Database Administrator: These computer professionals store and organise data for various types of organisations. Database administrators back up information, secure data, and manage permissions for users. They usually hold a bachelor's in IT or computer science.

Data Scientist: A data scientist's role combines computer science, statistics, and mathematics. They analyse, process, and model data then interpret the results to create actionable plans for companies and other organisations.

Software Engineer: Individuals who opt for a career as software engineers have comprehensive knowledge of programming languages, the development of applications, and running computer systems. He or she applies the concepts of engineering to designing applications. Software engineer job descriptions include designing customised applications for specific customers. Individuals who opt for a career as software engineers apply software engineering concepts to every level of the development process.

What is the workplace/work environment of Software Quality Assurance Engineer like?

The role of software quality assurance engineer varies depending on the organisation. In this field, the capability of an individual solely depends on the job and the individual itself. Employment as a software quality assurance engineer is sometimes overwhelming. While, in several circumstances, employees are required to work overtime. There are numerous factors that result in the varying responsibilities of a software quality assurance engineer. It includes field organisation, job positions with varying levels, economic involvement, and dependency of the firm on external factors.

Does Software Quality Assurance Engineer require travelling?

Not Likely

Individuals who opt for a career as a software quality assurance engineer involve spending most of their working time in the office itself unless he or she is required to visit a client or firm for some new project. They may be required to travel to business units and industries in order to interview existing and potential clients.

Employment Shifts

Full Time

A career as a software quality assurance engineer involves working full-time. They usually work for forty hours a week. Sometimes, they are required to work extended hours to accomplish a project within the deadline. In such circumstances, their working hours may extend to 45-50 hours a week. Generally, a software quality assurance engineer is required to work under normal hours and does not require certain shifts. However, when the work pressure is high they might be required to work under certain shifts.

Employment Nature

Contractual, Permanent

Individuals in software quality assurance career path involve employment on a permanent basis as well as on a contract basis. The nature of work for a software quality assurance engineer depends on the task allotted to him/her. A number of software quality assurance engineers are recruited by management companies, technology firms and other related organisations.

While several other website developers are recruited by small private organisations on a contract basis to work on a particular assignment or conduct research. Software development is a product-based industry. It involves working for an organisation or customer as per the requirements of a specific project.

Work Place

Office

A career as software quality assurance engineer involves to work full-time. He or she usually works forty hours per week. A software quality assurance engineer spends most of his or her working hours in the office. He or she is required to visit a client or firm for new projects. However, when the work pressure is expected high, they are required to work overtime.

Presence in Geographical Area

Urban

When it comes to the IT sector, certain cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad seem to offer more than the rest in terms of opportunities, salary, and career growth. New Delhi is the political capital of the country and follows suit where IT jobs are galore. It has an excellent amalgamation of industries and corporates, ranging from IT to manufacturing to media to consultancies along with a very strong presence of finance and banking. Bengaluru is known as the IT hub of India. The above-mentioned cities serve as the best destinations for finding alluring job opportunities in IT and software development.

Time Pressure

Likely

Individuals in software quality assurance career paths are prone to face time pressure. Their work is quite uncertain in nature. It may require them to work under unusual circumstances and odd working hours.

Overtime Details

Typically, a career as software quality assurance engineer requires working for eight to nine hours a day. Working hours may extend in several circumstances. It is due to excess work pressure and deadlines.

Weekly Hours of Work

Min 40 Hours

In a career as a software quality assurance engineer, individuals are expected to work full-time. He or she usually works forty hours per week. A software quality assurance engineer spends most of his or her working hours in the office. He or she is required to visit a client or firm for new projects. However, when the work pressure is expected high, they are required to work overtime.

How to become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer?

Steps to become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer

If you are someone interested in softwares, software developing or testing then a career as Software Quality Assurance Engineer is the best option for you. If you are willing to opt for a career as Software Quality Assurance Engineer then you are required to follow certain steps. We have mentioned below the steps for how to become Software Quality Assurance Engineer.

Identifying skills
Formal Training/Courses to pursue
Pursue specialised Certification
Build an attractive Resume
Explore Internship opportunities
Find job opportunities and apply
Prepare for Interview
Landing into Career

01 Step

Identifying skills

If you are thinking about how to become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer then you must know the relevant skills required to become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer.

Some of the soft skills that are required to become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer include Communication, Analytical skills, Organisational skills, Detail-oriented Thinking, Troubleshooting and Time management.

Communication
Analytical skills
Organisational skills
Detail-oriented Thinking
Troubleshooting

You must also have at least some of the hard skills to become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer and later on can learn all of these skills. Some of the hard skills are Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), automation testing, programming languages, latest technologies and system specifications, test management tools and bug tracking.

Automation Testing
Programming Languages
Computer-aided design (CAD)
Test Management Tools and Bug Tracking
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

02 Step

Formal Training/Courses to pursue

If you are looking for how to become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer then you are required to pursue a formal educational training programme or course to become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer. You must complete 10+2 in Chemistry, Physics Biology and Mathematics from a recognised board.

To become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer you are required to write an entrance examination to opt for a bachelor’s degree programme and can join an entry-level job position after completion of the course. You can also join a master’s degree programme without giving any breaks in between to opt for a higher job position or to do research or a PhD. We have mentioned below the Software Quality Assurance Engineer entrance examination, Bachelor’s degree programmes and Master’s degree programmes.

Entrance Examinations

JEE Main	JEE Advanced
BIT SAT	VITEEE
KIITEE	SRMJEE
UPCET	WBJEE

Bachelor’s Degree Programmes

B.Sc. in Computer Science	B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering
B.Tech in Information Technology	B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
B.Tech in Electrical Engineering	B.C.A (Bachelor of Computer Applications)

Master’s Degree Programmes

M.Sc. in Computer Science	M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering
M.Tech in Information Technology	M.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
M.Tech in Electrical Engineering	M.C.A (Bachelor of Computer Applications)

03 Step

Pursue specialised Certification

If you are looking for how to become Software Quality Assurance Engineer then you must also include one of these certifications in your formal training. It is not mandatory to pursue these certifications but if you do it will be beneficial for your future career to opt for a high-end salary job and you will also gain more knowledge and skills. We have mentioned below some of the specialised certifications.

04 Step

Build an attractive Resume

A resume can make or break your career. Building a resume mindfully is the most important task or step one can do while expecting to join an internship or a full-time job. Your resume must speak about you, your experiences, certifications, and any specialised projects.

05 Step

Explore Internship opportunities

Once you have completed building your attractive and eye-catchy resume now is the time to explore some of the best internship opportunities that are related to your education and career. Upload your resume on the various internship offerings portals such as Intershala, Twenty19, Monster, Internworld and others and wait for the call.

06 Step

Find job opportunities and apply

Once you have received your internship certificate, you can now apply for entry-level jobs and upload your resume on various job portals such as LinkedIn, and Naukri.in, Monster, Indeed and others and wait for the call.

07 Step

Prepare for Interview

When you have applied for the jobs prepare for the interview. Prepare for the interview beforehand by going through the interview process, the job and company profile or work experience or any projects done during the internship or graduation.

08 Step

Landing into Career

Above mentioned steps will help you to achieve your dream career once you follow all the steps you will be able to become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer. This is the most important step for becoming a Software Quality Assurance Engineer in how to become a Software Quality Assurance Engineer. Once you are selected and get the offer, select the best one and accept the offer and join the organisation.

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Software Quality Assurance Engineer?

Communication skills
Critical thinking
Organising skills
Leadership
Decision making skills
Patience
Attention to detail
Numerical ability

You must be wondering how to become a QA engineer? the in this section, we will be answering the most commonly asked question that how to start a career in software testing. In order to make a software quality assurance career path, one must possess some software quality assurance engineer skills. Some software quality assurance engineer skills are mentioned below:

Decision-making skills: Software quality assurance engineers are required to review different aspects of development processes for a software product. A software engineer along with managing the loopholes is also required to come up with necessary and accurate solutions. Hence, it is important to possess accurate decision-making skills and be able to conduct proper judgment as a software quality assurance engineer.

Patience: Software testing is a task that requires a lot of awareness and precautions before taking a decision. There are times when a software quality assurance engineer is required to manage his or her staff along with supervising the codes. Situations like these require them to remain calm under pressure. Only proper confidence and calmness can ensure an appropriate result.

Numerical ability: A software quality assurance engineer is responsible for determining the various test cases of the product being developed. As a software quality assurance engineer, he or she is also required to calculate different algorithms and numerical redundancy that arise due to failures. Software testing involves coding, which in turn includes mathematics as its integral part. Hence, possessing a high level of numeracy skills is a must for excelling in the field.

Leadership: A software quality assurance engineer leads a large team filled with enthusiastic and intelligent software developers. As a software quality assurance engineer, he or she supervises and oversees the staff working with them. A software quality assurance engineer is required to manage the work of every employee who works under their supervision. In such a scenario, exhibiting excellent leadership skills and teamwork skills are mandatory for a software quality assurance engineer.

Organising skills: A software quality assurance engineer oversees a big staff and supervises almost every programming detail personally. Hence, he or she is required to work under proper conduct. With so much responsibility and work, comes the responsibility of managing the staff. A software quality assurance engineer is required to work in a team with proper organisational conduct and so should possess proper organisational skills in addition to teamwork skills.

Attention to detail: Software testing involves problem-solving, analysing test loopholes, and analysing information, and data. There is a big pile of numerical data that is to be handled by a software quality assurance engineer. Hence, he or she must possess accuracy in calculations since a single mistake can result in a big risk.

Communication skills: A software quality assurance engineer works with a big staff, and he or she supervises and oversees professionals working under him or her. As a software quality assurance engineer, he or she also manages the customers and directly interacts with them in order to prepare requirements. A software quality assurance engineer is also required to conduct meetings and present his or her projects in front of clients and customers. It is important for a software quality assurance engineer to possess good communication skills.

Critical thinking: No testing and programming can be completed without proper critical analysis of the project. A software quality assurance engineer requires sharp critical thinking skills that involve using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Popular Online Engineering Courses and Certifications

Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Software Quality Assurance Engineer?

We have mentioned below certifications that individuals may opt for who want to establish a career as Software Quality Assurance Engineer.

Certified Software Testing Professional	Certified XML Developer
Certified PHP Developer	Agile Software Development
Android App Components - Intents, Activities, and Broadcast Receivers	PHP and MySQL Training
JavaScript and JQuery Essentials Training and Certification	AWS Development Certification Training

Internship Availability

Yes

In order to have a better understanding of a career as a software quality assurance engineer, it is always important to go for an internship. No matter how much practical learning experience your college or university provides, you will get real-world experience by working with a company or an organisation. The importance of an internship in software development and testing cannot be overstated. It is beneficial for acquiring the skills of a professional software quality assurance engineer. Internships are crucial for getting industry insights. It brings an in-depth knowledge of the functioning of the industry.

Software development and testing internships benefit the individual by making it fit for the market. Such internships practically train for the job in a less pressured yet formal work environment. More than jobs, software development and testing internships are desired for their credibility when it comes to making a career in research.

Career Path Progression for Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Junior Software Quality Assurance Engineer: A Junior Software Quality Assurance Engineer is a professional who is responsible for ensuring the software products that are developed are of high-end quality. A Junior Software Quality Assurance Engineer designs, gathers and tests the softwares or the products.

Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer: A Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer is a professional who has worked earlier as a Software Quality Assurance Engineer who leads a team of Junior Software Quality Assurance Engineers and trains them. A Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for designing and developing various codes and test cases and reports the defects to the software developer by using a bug-tracking system.

Software Quality Assurance Engineer Jobs and Salaries

Junior Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Monthly Salaries

Average Salary 20000

Job Description

The Junior Software Quality Assurance Engineer job description includes coding, preparing test cases, performing testing, gathering requirements, and software development. A Junior Software Quality Assurance Engineer usually works under the supervision of the Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer or managers.

Salary Description

An entry-level Software Quality Assurance Engineer salary in India ranges between Rs 1.1 Lakhs to Rs 5.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of Rs 2.5 Lakhs per annum. Junior Software Quality Assurance Engineer salary in India may vary depending on the various job factors like skills and experience of the candidates, job location, and others.

Salary Source: AmbitionBox

Read Full Details

Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Monthly Salaries

Average Salary 63000

Job Description

The Software Quality Assurance Engineer job description includes developing various codes and test cases to analyse the efficiency and accuracy of a software product. A Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer handles a variety of tasks such as technical and non-technical, coding, performing testing, gathering requirements, verification and supervising the staff.

Salary Description

The estimated Software Quality Assurance Engineer salary in India ranges from Rs 4.7 Lakhs to Rs 19.3 Lakhs with an average annual salary of be from Rs 9.0 Lakhs per annum. Software Quality Assurance Engineer salary may vary depending on the various job factors.

Salary Source: AmbitionBox

Read Full Details

What is the job outlook for Software Quality Assurance Engineer?

The demand for software quality assurance engineers has been on the rise for almost a decade now and is showing no sign of stopping. Software developer employment is projected to grow 21 per cent by 2028, which is faster than the average projected rate of growth for all occupations (5 per cent). Technology has rapidly evolved over the past decade and so has the demand for information technology. Computer science services and products led to the industrial revolution in the Indian market.

IT is constantly helping represent India as a big player in the global market. The industry is one of the finest growing economies in the world providing the high-end business solution and opening new export verticals. India's highly qualified talent pool of technical graduates is one of the largest in the world and the country has a low-cost advantage by being five-6 times more inexpensive than the US. India is the second-fastest digitising economy amongst the 17 leading economies of the world. Scroll down to read about how to become a SQA engineer.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Que. What does a software quality assurance engineer do?

Ans.

A software quality assurance engineer is responsible for performing a variety of tasks. Working as a software quality assurance engineer, he or she is required to perform various tasks which include software design, writing source code, control of source code, and reviewing code.

Que. What is the salary of a software quality assurance engineer?

Ans.

The salary varies depending on skills and work experience, the size of the organisation and the area where it locates to. An entry-level software quality assurance engineer could earn more than Rs. 3,00,000 per annum. A senior-level software quality assurance engineer could earn more than Rs. 6,00,000 per annum.

Que. What are the top companies that hire software quality assurance engineers?

Ans.

The top companies that hire software quality assurance engineers are Google, Facebook, HP, Microsoft, and Amazon.

Que. Is a software quality assurance engineer in demand?

Ans.

Yes, the demand for software quality assurance engineers has been on the rise for almost a decade now, and is showing no sign of stopping. Software developer employment is projected to grow by 21 per cent by 2028, which is faster than the average projected rate of growth for all occupations (5per cent).

Que. How is the work environment of a software quality assurance engineer?

Ans.

In this field, the capability of an individual solely depends on the job and the individual itself. Employment as a software quality assurance engineer is sometimes overwhelming. While, in several circumstances, employees are required to work overtime. There are numerous factors that result in the varying responsibilities of a software quality assurance engineer. It includes field organisation, job positions with varying levels, economic involvement, and dependency of the firm on external factors.

Que. What are the top courses to become software quality assurance engineer?

Ans.

B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science) Computer Science

B.Tech. (Bachelor of Technology) Computer Science

B.Tech. (Bachelor of Technology) Information Technology

B.Tech. (Bachelor of Technology) Electrical and Electronics Engineering

B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering) Electrical Engineering

Que. What are the top software engineer colleges in India?

Ans.

Bennett University, Greater Noida, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal, College of Engineering, Pune, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai.

Que. What is SQA engineer?

Ans.

SQA Engineer evaluates and tests software to make sure it performs well. He or she reviews the quality specifications and technical design documents and debugs and defines corrections.