The work of a quality engineer is to ascertain that products and processes meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
Quality engineers essentially develop strategic plans and testing systems to guarantee the overall quality of manufacturing processes and manufactured products.
They also inspect raw materials, conduct quality checks, and implement preventive measures to mitigate defects.
Quality engineers work in various industries such as textile, automotive, transportation, and manufacturing, which brings us to the question; can a quality engineer work from home?
Can a quality engineer work from home?
Yes, a quality engineer can work from home without any issues. Following advancements in technology, working remotely has become a possibility even for quality engineers. Some engineering processes do not require the physical presence of an engineer in the office.
However, the scope of work they can do remotely depends on the industry. For instance, a software quality engineer does not have to be in the office in person to evaluate the quality of various software programs and technological processes.
They can test the quality standards of these applications and processes from their home office. All they need is a computer, internet connectivity, and access to the relevant portals or platforms to perform the necessary tests.
Quality assurance engineers can also work from home since their roles do not require commuting to the office.
They can do duties like writing test plans, developing testing systems, implementing test automation, and monitoring quality assurance metrics from home.
Quality engineers also conduct a lot of documentation, which does not require an in-person presence. They work and coordinate with a large team of other professionals to build automated testing capabilities without being physically present in the office.
The only time a quality engineer may have to be present in the office or manufacturing plant is during the initial stages of developing a strategic plan and implementing the relevant testing systems.
Even though the testing systems are automatic, the engineer must check that they work accordingly.
After automation, the manufacturer may not need the quality engineer to stick around since they can perform other functions remotely.
Where do quality engineers work?
Quality engineers work in various sectors ranging from transportation to textile industries. Their expertise is essential in laboratories and manufacturing environments, and they conduct a lot of testing to ensure products meet specific quality and safety standards.
Quality engineers are in top demand in the following industries:
- Food and Beverage
- Medical and Pharmaceutical
- Automotive
- Textile
- Aerospace
- Aviation
- Technology
- Energy
As the name implies, the primary objective of quality engineering is to guarantee quality products.
Quality engineers ensure all manufactured products such as electronic components, computers, motor vehicles, airplanes, food, and textiles are of the required standards.
Where to find jobs to work from home?
A quality engineer can find jobs to work from home as an online freelancer or a consultant. Websites like indeed.com, glassdoor.com, simplyhired.com, linkedin.com, monster, and engineering.com have many remote jobs for quality engineers.
Nevertheless, finding a remote job as a quality engineer is not easy. The online space is equally competitive, and you must prove your competence to secure work-at-home opportunities.
Having adequate on-the-job experience and proper certification can increase your chances of landing work-from-home quality engineering jobs.
What kinds of engineers work from home?
Even though engineers spend over 80% of their time working in the field, construction site, or manufacturing plants, some tasks do not require their physical presence in the office. Following advancements in technology, engineers can now work from home or remotely.
Examples of engineers who can work from home without compromising service delivery include:
- Computer engineers
- Software engineers
- Mechanical engineers
- Civil engineers
- Chemical engineers
Are quality engineers paid well?
Yes, quality engineers are amongst the highest-paid professionals. In any case, they use their expertise to guarantee manufactured products meet the highest quality and safety standards. Without their input, consumers risk facing various health problems.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, quality engineers fall under the category of health and safety engineers.
Their median wage in 2020 was $94,240, with the highest-paid quality engineers earning more than $144,800. They also receive perks, including health insurance and retirement benefits.
How to become a successful quality engineer?
The road to becoming a successful quality engineer is not easy. You have to go through a rigorous education program like any other engineer.
Entry-level quality engineers have to undertake an associate’s degree, while intermediate and expert quality engineers need a bachelor’s degree and a post-graduate degree, respectively.
That’s not all. You may need to go through further training on the job to gain practical experience. After all, some skills are not taught in class but acquired while working.
You may also advance your knowledge by pursuing various certifications offered by reputable institutions.
Which course is best for a quality engineer?
If you’ve already completed your associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in quality engineering, you can advance your skills by undertaking various professional courses and certifications.
Examples of courses you can pursue are:
- Product design and development
- Quality tools for quality management
- Quality management essentials
- Six Sigma green belt certification
- Root cause analysis
What degree do I need to be a quality engineer?
An entry-level quality engineer needs an associate’s degree, while intermediate and expert quality engineers need a bachelor’s degree and a post-graduate degree, respectively, in quality engineering.
Can you be a quality engineer without a degree?
Yes and No. It all depends on your country’s professional requirements. You can be a quality engineer without a degree. However, you must pursue relevant professional courses and certifications to become a quality engineer.
You cannot be a quality engineer in the USA without an associate’s degree. You must also get certified by the American Society for Quality as a quality engineer, which involves sitting for an exam based on the Quality Engineer Handbook.
Final thoughts
Quality engineers can now work from home, thanks to the numerous advancements in technology. Although engineers can work from home, they sometimes have to travel to inspect the progress of various projects and ensure everything is on schedule.
