Engineering Quality Engineering Experiences: Share Yours

[ljfe]

Just curious if anyone here has worked in quality engineering before and could share their experiences (manufacturing, maybe software quality assurance)?

Not really looking for guidance here, although I work as a quality tech and plan on going for a degree in physics (I know I should probably do engineering). At work I do inspections, CMM programming, and CAD.

 

[Ben Espen]

I'll say it because it needs to be said: if you want to work as a quality engineer, get a degree in engineering. You have the opportunity to make your life easier, you should do so.

With that out of the way, my current role is as a quality engineer. I have worked with video inspection systems, test method validation, and even software quality assurance. At this point, much of my work involves regulatory compliance in many markets across the world. I enjoy quality engineering, and the way you can build up a good system that prevents problems in the long run.

 

[ljfe]

Nice, thanks for the reply! What kind of engineering degree got you a job in software QA? The thing is, it would be ideal for me to work as a Quality Engineer in manufacturing (since it's the route I'm on), but also leave the door open for software QA...I'm not sure how I'd achieve this without double majoring.

 

[Chronos]

Regulatory compliance is a major component in most QE jobs and regulations tend to be written by engineers for engineers. Mechanical is a good all purpose choice. But, just about any engineering discipline will work when related to your job or target industry.

 

[Ben Espen]

Nice, thanks for the reply! What kind of engineering degree got you a job in software QA? The thing is, it would be ideal for me to work as a Quality Engineer in manufacturing (since it's the route I'm on), but also leave the door open for software QA...I'm not sure how I'd achieve this without double majoring.

I don't think it would be accurate to say that I have a job in software QA. I've worked extensively on SQA because it is a part of the current regulatory environment, and because I get the ideas behind it, but my job is in engineering. My degree, however, is not in engineering. My background is physics and mathematics, and while relevant, it made for a hard sell getting in the door. This is why I say get an engineering degree if you know you want to do engineering work: don't make the same mistakes I did.

I started as a manufacturing support engineer, and at least in my case, this did involve working on software quality assurance, as well as a great many other things. I don't think this kind of role excludes SQA, but usually focuses on other things. If you want a job in SQA, and nothing but SQA, then the path of least resistance involves a CS or IT degree. Other routes are available, especially if you already have a good track record in a company and want to move into a new area.