How to become a Quality Engineer: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Types, Steps, Abroad, Jobs, Scope, Salary

Quality refers to the various characteristics of a product or a service such as a price, availability, safety, usability, etc. which contribute to customer satisfaction. These professionals usually oversee the firm’s engineering and manufacturing processes by ensuring that there is proper use of materials and procedures. A quality engineer must have a combination of education, experience, training, and advanced skills to be successful.

There are only a few colleges in India that are offering Quality Engineering Courses which include Anna University in Chennai and Birla Institute of Technology in Ranchi. The average course fee charged for Quality Engineering Courses in India costs between INR 1-3 lacs.

Since the quality engineers are mostly involved in the food and beverage industries, it is evident that their demand will never reduce and will keep on increasing with every passing day. The industry is undergoing a tectonic change, moving away from its existing strategy and toward a whole new way of working in which quality has a greater impact. These professionals may find lucrative employment opportunities in areas like the food and beverage industries and much more like that. The average initial pay for such position jobs usually ranges between INR 2-5 lacs (approx.).

How to Become a Quality Engineer: Quick Facts

Industry
Food and Beverage

Eligibility
They must have a bachelor’s degree in an engineering field. In addition to this, they may be demanded professional certifications.

Average Starting Salary
INR 1-3 lacs (approx.)

Employment Opportunity
Quality Engineers

What does a Quality Engineer Do?

Quality Engineers are responsible for the usage of various methods that are necessary for identifying and correcting the quality control procedures. Their work may involve the development of quality control systems, testing of products, increasing product quality after the analysis of results.

The majority of times, these engineers work at manufacturing areas or even the laboratories wherein they are given the responsibility to directly observe the efficiency of the process and also keep a check on the product quality requirements. The quality Engineers even work with the suppliers to ensure that all the raw material meets the firm’s quality standards.

A quality engineer conducts routine quality checks and develops preventive methods to reduce faults and ensure that only the highest quality products are produced every time, making them an essential member of any manufacturing team. Their responsibilities include establishing quality standards, creating quality documentation, monitoring workflows and so on.

Types of Quality Engineers

A Quality Engineer may choose to work in different specialities available in the field of Quality Engineering. The following is a list of the various types of Quality Engineer:

• Quality Assurance Engineer: These individuals are in charge of monitoring the quality of specs and designing various papers so that they may provide timely feedback. They are involved in the planning and implementation of quality management and testing strategies. A Quality Assurance Engineer is in charge of creating tests to uncover software flaws before the product’s release.
  • Other responsibilities include creating and running new tests, reporting on the results, and working with software developers to resolve programme bugs. In fact, QA was one of the fastest-growing goals in 2017, indicating that there is a significant demand for QA engineers and a shortage of skilled people to fill these positions, according to their estimates.
  • Engineers that specialise in quality assurance may count on a stable and dependable paycheck. While every firm uses software testers in a different way, it is safe to conclude that these types of experienced software experts are in demand.
• New Product Development Quality Engineer: Such engineers are responsible for the development and reviewing of design prototypes, performing tests followed up by finalizing of product designs so as to begin mass production of the same. The candidate will be in charge of developing, implementing, and teaching advanced design quality techniques.
  • The candidate will be in charge of assisting Business Development & Engineering/R&D by interacting with potential customers and forming technical relationships with other engineers. Strong leadership, very proactive, results-oriented, strong follow-through, the ability to influence others, a strong technical understanding of products, a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, and the motivation and ability to independently reach across geographical and cultural boundaries to solve problems are all characteristics of a successful NPD Quality Engineer.
• Senior R&D Quality Engineer: They are given the duty to provide quality engineering support to carry out new products’ development and design changes. They even work towards the maintenance of quality engineering methodologies, systems, etc. that meet the customer requirements.
  • The candidate will be a member of a team that provides quality engineering support for new product development, design revisions, and maintenance engineering. They will assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of quality engineering techniques, systems, and procedures that comply with PKI, customer, and regulatory standards.
  • An R&D engineer works for a firm and is responsible for research and development. They conduct a variety of experiments and activities using research ideas, ideas, and models. R&D engineers not only develop new products but also remodel old ones.

How to be a Quality Engineer in India?

If you wish to become a Quality Engineer, then you must decide well in time about choosing your career in this field. This choice begins from your Class 12th level when you have to make sure what are your next plans if you have decided to become a Quality Engineer.

School Level Preparation

Now since you have decided to pursue a career in the field of Quality Engineering, your preparation for the same begins while you are in your 10+2 level. It is compulsory to have a Science stream with mathematics if you desire to become a Quality Engineer.

Also, while preparing for your Board Exams you must also check for the courses available in this field at the Undergraduate Level along with the Entrance Exams. Most of the colleges offering undergraduate quality engineering courses conduct the admissions based on a merit-based system so perform well in your Board exams to clear the cut-off set by the respective colleges.

How to Become a Quality Engineer after 12th?

In order to become a Quality Engineer in India after completing the 12th grade, students must follow a set of procedures that will bring them to that goal. For your convenience, the following steps are listed below:

UG Level Preparation

They can pursue a Bachelor’s degree or even a Certificate in Quality Engineering after finishing high school. Despite the fact that Quality Engineering is a burgeoning field, just a few institutions offer degree programmes in the field. When researching for colleges and universities, search for places that have well-known scientific and engineering programmes. During your undergraduate degree, you may participate in internships in the relevant field, which will allow you to obtain significant work experience in a real-world setting.

PG Level Preparation

After earning your bachelor’s degree, begin your career as a quality engineer. A master’s or doctoral degree in quality engineering will allow you to conduct advanced research, teach at a college or university, or work in the field. As a PhD student, your study field will grow more advanced. These advanced degrees will strengthen your capacity to develop engineering-based solutions to quality-related problems.

Courses to Become a Quality Engineer

Students need to complete certain courses and certifications in order to call themselves Quality Engineers. Some of the courses are mentioned below:

Certificate in Quality Engineering and Management

Certificate Course in Quality Engineering and Management is a 12-week long course that focuses especially on Quality Engineering. This particular course comprises modules which are explained as follows:

• Module 1 (Quality Systems)
• Module 2 (Quality Tools – Statistical)
• Module 3 (Quality Tools)
• Module 4 (Quality Management)

Amidst this 12-week long course, students will be taught different subjects of this field such as Introduction to Quality Control, Tools of Quality, Control Charts, Quality Function Development, Capability Indices, etc.

Entrance Exams

Certificate Course in Quality Engineering and Management course admits students based on a merit-based admission process. As a result, there are no specific entrance exams for this programme. However, aspiring candidates must meet the eligibility criteria in order to be considered for the course.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for admissions to Certificate Course in Quality Engineering and Management courses have been mentioned below for your reference:

• The aspirants must have passed their 10+2 examination with a minimum of 50% marks at an aggregate.
• The degree so obtained shall be from a recognised school or institute.
• The aspirants are also expected to have a basic knowledge of the concerned field that is Quality Engineering.

Certified Quality Engineer Training

This is a 36.5 hours certificate quality engineer training course that aims to teach students about the usage of quality concepts such as Acceptance Sampling, Reliability, Control Charts, Design of Experiments and so on. They are taught various subjects such as Probability, Z Test, Chi-Square Test, Hypothesis Testing, etc. This course is completely aligned with the Certified Quality Engineer Body of Knowledge, which is provided by the majority of internationally recognised certification bodies.

Entrance Exams

Certificate Course in Quality Engineering and Management course admits students based on a merit-based admission process. As a result, there are no specific entrance exams for this programme. However, aspiring candidates must meet the eligibility criteria in order to be considered for the course.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for admissions to Certificate Course in Quality Engineering and Management courses have been mentioned below for your reference:

• The aspirants must have passed their 10+2 examination with a minimum of 50% marks at an aggregate.
• The degree so obtained shall be from a recognised school or institute.
• Basic knowledge of the quality concepts of the concerned industry.

Bachelor’s Degree Program in Quality Engineering

This particular course aims to focus on the quality aspect or emphasises quality assurance. Bachelor’s programmes include theoretical and management principles in addition to the practical and technical principles gained at the associate’s level, preparing students for more advanced roles. Hands-on training in a laboratory setting is generally combined with classroom instruction and computer applications in quality engineering bachelor’s programmes.

Entrance Exams

Bachelors Degree Programme in Quality Engineering course admits students based on a merit-based admission process. As a result, there are no specific entrance exams for this programme. However, aspiring candidates must meet the eligibility criteria in order to be considered for the course.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for admissions to Bachelors Degree Programme in Quality Engineering courses have been mentioned below for your reference:

• The aspirants must have passed their 10+2 examination with a minimum of 50% marks at an aggregate.
• The degree so obtained shall be from a recognised school or institute.
• Basic knowledge of the quality concepts of the concerned industry.

ME in Quality Engineering Management

ME in Quality Engineering Management is a 2 years masters degree programme in the Mechanical Engineering field. The course covers quality engineering management, product development for quality, simulation, operations management, and advanced manufacturing systems, among other topics. Product design and manufacture, computer software, retail distribution, logistics, and technical documentation are all examples of quality management engineering.

Entrance Exams

ME in Quality Engineering Management course admits students based on a merit-based admission process. As a result, there are no specific entrance exams for this programme. However, aspiring candidates must meet the eligibility criteria in order to be considered for the course.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for admissions to ME in Quality Engineering Management courses have been mentioned below for your reference:

• The aspirants must have passed their undergraduate qualifying examination with a minimum of 55% marks at an aggregate.
• The degree so obtained shall be from a recognised school or institute.
• Basic knowledge of the quality concepts of the concerned industry.

How to Become a Quality Enginee Abroad?

USA

The USA is an excellent choice if you wish to pursue your career in Quality Engineering to become a Quality Engineer abroad. There are growing opportunities in the field of Quality Engineering for students who wish to become Quality Engineers in the near future.

In the USA it is evident that a rise was recorded in the employment rate at an average of 10%. We can state that Quality Engineering in the United States is the ideal programme for you, and the United States is the greatest study destination, based on the steady increase in work chances.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for Quality Engineering courses provided in the USA have been listed below:

• The students are required to mention their marks obtained in the 10+2 qualifying exam.
• GRE exams are a broad assessment of a student’s critical thinking, analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative skills, all of which are required for various analytical courses, and are thus considered a requirement for Quality Engineering eligibility in the United States.
• A GRE score of 290 will assist you in getting into a good university.
• Letters of Recommendation

Top Colleges

Name of Institute
Fees (USD)

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
$30,000

University of Cincinnati
$28,972

University of Tennessee
$31,139

Texas A&M University
$33,280

Wayne State University
$21,344

University of Utah
$26,295

Tulsa Community College
$7783

Millersville University
$18,031

Top Courses

• MS in Quality Engineering and Management: This particular course focuses on developing professionals in this field who can work towards planning, designing as well as controlling the quality point in manufacturing firms so as to reduce wastage and improving product quality. After this, students may take up research work in fields like lead manufacturing, quality assurance, project management, etc.
• Certificate in Quality Engineering for Regulated Medical Technologies: This certificate demands particular training in quality engineering and medical technology regulation; further, candidates must go beyond knowing concepts and demonstrate the suitable application of quality engineering principles in a medical internship. Federal and state standards for clinical facilities, as well as the design, testing, and manufacture of medical devices, need quality engineering concepts.
• MS in Quality Management: Such a course aims to focus on management development, quality systems as well as their improvement. It helps the students to set their focus into their field of interest which could be quality management and food safety, analytical science with quality management, etc. Students will most likely study how to handle surroundings, people, and situations related to their chosen speciality field.
• MS in Quality Assurance: This course tries to provide students with the necessary knowledge about regulatory and quality issues that affect healthcare, pharmaceutical, food, etc. Students can expect to learn about domestic and international legislation, as well as quality standards and methods that are employed in a variety of industries, such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, engineering, and government, in these programmes. They are taught a variety of subjects such as Management of Quality Guidelines, Global Regulatory Reports, Introduction to Food and Drug Law and so on.

Canada

Now when it comes to studying abroad, Canada is amongst the most chosen countries for the same. Also, the education provided over here is famous among students due to several reasons. Hence, studying Quality Engineering Courses in Canada surely has benefits, one of them could be the salary i.e., nearly $62,246 – $102,750.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for Quality Engineering courses provided in Canada have been listed below:

• The students are required to mention their marks obtained in the 10+2 qualifying exam.
• They must provide the marks obtained by them in the English proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS.
• Letters of Recommendation

Top Colleges

Name of Institute
Fees

Lambton College
$13,380

Conestoga College
$13,000

Mohawk College
$24,949

Sheridan College
$19,519

University of Guelph
$26,732

Durham College
$13,322

Queens University
$22,767

Canadore College
$12,423

Top Courses

• MS in Quality Engineering and Management: This particular course focuses on developing professionals in this field who can work towards planning, designing as well as controlling the quality point in manufacturing firms so as to reduce wastage and improving product quality. After this, students may take up research work in fields like lead manufacturing, quality assurance, project management, etc.
• Certificate in Quality Engineering for Regulated Medical Technologies: This certificate demands particular training in quality engineering and medical technology regulation; further, candidates must go beyond knowing concepts and demonstrate the suitable application of quality engineering principles in a medical internship. Federal and state standards for clinical facilities, as well as the design, testing, and manufacture of medical devices, need quality engineering concepts.
• Diploma in Quality Engineering Technician: This is a 2-year long course that teaches the students about various concepts such as NDT and Inspection Techniques, usage of codes to accept or reject criteria from different industries, generation of technical documents in order to report inspection results, etc.
• MS in Quality Assurance: This course tries to provide students with the necessary knowledge about regulatory and quality issues that affect healthcare, pharmaceutical, food, etc. Students can expect to learn about domestic and international legislation, as well as quality standards and methods that are employed in a variety of industries, such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, engineering, and government, in these programmes. They are taught a variety of subjects such as Management of Quality Guidelines, Global Regulatory Reports, Introduction to Food and Drug Law and so on.
• Quality Engineering Management: It helps the students to gain knowledge about the various techniques to ensure the improvement of the quality of goods and services. The program’s main goal is to apply the latest quality improvement approaches to achieve performance excellence in manufacturing and business processes. After completing the programme, the graduate will be able to contribute to an organization’s role of value creation by using current quality techniques and procedures to solve problems, improve the quality of goods and services, remove waste, and increase value to the end customer.

UK

Quality Engineering is a field that requires up-to-date and precise knowledge, and UK universities are consistently recognised among the best in the world. The United Kingdom features a number of universities or campuses that provide well-organized Quality Engineering degrees. The cost of tuition and living expenses varies based on the location of the universities. The majority of students opt for school loans, which provide them with the necessary funds to live in another nation.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to one of the UK’s premier institutions offering Quality Engineering programmes, one must be aware of the institute’s acceptance requirements. For your convenience, the following conditions are provided below:

• IELTS or PTE results indicate your ability to communicate in English.
• For Masters programmes, a 10+2 degree from a recognised board in the Science branch or a Bachelors degree is required.
• A letter of recommendation

Top Colleges

The following are the top colleges that offer Quality Engineering courses:

Name of College
Fees

University of Aberdeen
23,500 Euros

Heriot Watt University
–

Ulster University
14,910 Euros

University of Central Lancashire
–

University of Manchester
25,000 Euros

Benefits of Career as a Quality Engineer

The job of a Quality Engineer undoubtedly has certain advantages that entice applicants to apply for the position. These advantages are listed below for your convenience:

• Salary: In the most fundamental sense, salary is crucial since the vast majority of individuals would not do their jobs if they weren’t paid for them. It’s also crucial to pay a fair wage for the labour that has to be done. Statistical process control and measurement are heavily used in this industry. As a result, a quality engineer can come from the factory floor or from any other engineering discipline. Candidates who find lucrative employment as a Quality Engineer are initially paid about INR 1-3 lacs per year. However, the pay tends to increase with a piece of increased knowledge, skills and hard work in the concerned field.
• Job Security: Job security gives employees a sense of security and confidence, which leads to higher production. Job stability fosters loyalty and a drive to excel, and the organisation benefits by gaining a dedicated and committed employee. Some people have job security as a result of the terms of their work, such as a contract or labour legislation or a collective bargaining agreement. The job of a Quality Engineer is in the Food and Beverage Industries. They may find employment in reputed private or even government industries. Working anywhere in the world, they would surely have job security as Quality Engineers are necessary for every industry.
• Scope: Since the job of a Quality Engineer involves different areas of focus, there is surely a chance of an increased scope. Users and the company are putting pressure on quality engineering to deliver a significantly better product with completely new non-functional needs. The industry is undergoing a tectonic change, moving away from its existing strategy and toward a whole new way of working in which quality has a greater impact. If you want to spend your entire career stuck in quality, go for it. People who are good at what they do tend to stay good at what they do. It’s more of a technical function than an engineering one. As others have stated in this post, Quality Engineering is essentially a thankless and difficult profession in all areas.

Skills Required for a Quality Engineer

The various skills required for becoming a Project Coordinator have been mentioned below:

The Ability to analyze the Data
Interpersonal Skills
Leadership Skills

Knowledge of quality improvement tools and techniques
Time Management
Problem Solving Skills

Critical Thinking Skills
Service-Oriented
Team Work

Salary of Quality Engineer in India

The following salary ranges are provided for Quality Engineers and other related job roles:

Average Annual Salary

Salary is important in the most basic sense since most people would not do their jobs if they were not compensated for them. Paying a fair remuneration for the work that must be done is likewise essential. This industry heavily uses statistical process control and measurement. As a result, quality engineers can originate from any technical field, even the manufacturing floor.

The average annual salary earned by Quality Engineers varies between a Government Organisation and a Private Organisation. The following table lists the salaries provided to Quality Engineers in both types of organisations.

Statistician
Average Annual Salary

Government Organisation
INR 1-3 lacs (approx.)

Private Organisation
INR 2-5 lacs (approx.)

Specialisation Wise

The degree earned, whether in the same or a different profession, is one of the most essential elements influencing the salaries for different specialisations of a particular field of job. Every job has certain specialisations which can be secured either on the basis of seniority or through higher studies too.

A master’s degree in quality engineering, for example, is required for promotion to management jobs. With these factors, different specialisations come with different salaries. The salaries provided to different types of Quality Engineers has been given in the table below:

Job Profile
Average Initial Salary

Quality Assurance Engineer
INR 4-7 lacs (approx.)

New Product Development Quality Engineer
INR 6 -15 lacs (approx.)

Senior R&D Quality Engineer
INR 2-6 lacs (approx.)

Experience Wise

In any sector, the amount of money you make as a quality engineer is heavily influenced by your experience. It is also very much a known fact that salaries usually increase for any professional over a period of time. Pay is also influenced by the industry in which you work.

The highest-paid quality engineers work in the computer and electronic product manufacturing industry. However, this depends on their increased skills, knowledge, competency and experience. The differentiation between the Salary of Freshers and that of an Experienced Person in the field of Quality Engineering has been listed in the table below:

Job Profile
Salary of a Fresher
Salary of an Experienced Professional

Quality Assurance Engineer
INR 4-7 lacs (approx.)
INR 7 lacs and above

New Product Development Quality Engineer
INR 6 -15 lacs (approx.)
INR 15 lacs and above

Senior R&D Quality Engineer
INR 2-6 lacs (approx.)
INR 6 lacs and above

How to Become a Quality Engineer: FAQs

Ques. What are the works constituted for a Quality Engineer?

Ans. Quality Engineers are responsible for the usage of various methods that are necessary for identifying and correcting the quality control procedures. These professionals usually oversee the firm’s engineering and manufacturing processes by ensuring that there is made proper use of materials and procedures.

. Quality Engineers are responsible for the usage of various methods that are necessary for identifying and correcting the quality control procedures. These professionals usually oversee the firm’s engineering and manufacturing processes by ensuring that there is made proper use of materials and procedures.

Ques. What knowledge should a Quality Engineer surely have before they start to work?

Ans. In order to perform the assigned duties efficiently and effectively, the Quality Engineers must have special training and knowledge in several areas, including proper use of materials and procedures for Quality Management.

In order to perform the assigned duties efficiently and effectively, the Quality Engineers must have special training and knowledge in several areas, including proper use of materials and procedures for Quality Management.

Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for Quality Engineer jobs?

Ans. According to the prescribed eligibility criteria for Quality Engineers, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in an engineering field. In addition to this, they may be demanded professional certifications.

. According to the prescribed eligibility criteria for Quality Engineers, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in an engineering field. In addition to this, they may be demanded professional certifications.

Ques. What is the average initial salary for a Quality Engineer?

Ans. The average initial salary for a Quality Engineer ranges between INR 1-3 lacs (approx.).

The average initial salary for a Quality Engineer ranges between INR 1-3 lacs (approx.).

Ques. Who will benefit from taking this course?

Ans. This is an excellent choice of course for students who have an academic background in the Quality Engineering field and have a constant fascination with working as a Quality Engineer.

This is an excellent choice of course for students who have an academic background in the Quality Engineering field and have a constant fascination with working as a Quality Engineer.

Ques. What are the best places for these professionals to look for work?

Ans. They may find lucrative employment opportunities in areas such as Food and Beverage Industries.

They may find lucrative employment opportunities in areas such as Food and Beverage Industries.

Ques. What are the main skills required for Quality Engineer jobs?

Ans. The most specific skills required for Quality Engineer jobs in India include Leadership Skills, the Ability to analyze Data, Interpersonal Skills, Time Management, Knowledge of quality improvement tools and techniques and so on.

The most specific skills required for Quality Engineer jobs in India include Leadership Skills, the Ability to analyze Data, Interpersonal Skills, Time Management, Knowledge of quality improvement tools and techniques and so on.

Ques. Are there any Study Abroad options available in this field?

Ans. You can surely choose to Study Abroad if you wish to pursue a career in Quality Engineering in any foreign country. The necessary information about the same has already been provided in the article.

. You can surely choose to Study Abroad if you wish to pursue a career in Quality Engineering in any foreign country. The necessary information about the same has already been provided in the article.

Ques. Can Quality Engineering be a good course to pursue a career in?

Ans. Statistical process control and measurement are heavily used in this industry. As a result, a quality engineer can come from the factory floor or from any other engineering discipline. This position necessitates a thorough understanding of ISO standards, as well as specialised industry knowledge and process improvement approaches.

Statistical process control and measurement are heavily used in this industry. As a result, a quality engineer can come from the factory floor or from any other engineering discipline. This position necessitates a thorough understanding of ISO standards, as well as specialised industry knowledge and process improvement approaches.

Ques. Why is Quality Engineering an important thing in recent times?

Ans. A Quality Engineer is entrusted with developing documentation, inventing quality tests, and defining the criteria that a test result must meet as part of the quality team’s overarching goal of ensuring the overall quality of a manufactured product. They play an important role in resolving problems as they arise.

A Quality Engineer is entrusted with developing documentation, inventing quality tests, and defining the criteria that a test result must meet as part of the quality team’s overarching goal of ensuring the overall quality of a manufactured product. They play an important role in resolving problems as they arise.