Requirements

Quality assurance technician - requirements

As a quality assurance technician, sometimes called a quality manager, you’ll be a detail focused communicator who oversees and manages the quality of products and processes related to them. Learn more about what being a quality manager involves, what study options will benefit you and how you can get a job in the sector.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a quality assurance technician?

A degree in a relevant science or engineering subject is usually ideal for this career. Subjects to consider include:

You could also enter this field with a Higher National Diploma in areas like production, clothing technology or materials science. It’s common for people to become quality assurance professionals after having experience in that industry as an engineer or manager.

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a quality assurance technician?

Most employers don’t ask for a postgraduate qualification for quality assurance roles, but it’ll likely be required for roles in complex or regulated industries such as nuclear energy.

You might consider completing a master’s course in one of the following subjects:

Production engineering and operations management
Mechanical and manufacturing engineering
Advanced process engineering
Advanced manufacture: technology & systems
Additive manufacturing
Process safety

What skills do you need to be a quality assurance technician?

Technical skills in quality assurance and your relevant industry area are key to this role, as well as strong communication and organisational skills.

Hard skills usually include:

Quality assurance principles
Quality management systems
Monitoring and auditing
Manufacturing practices
Industrial processes
Quality standards and regulations

Soft skills include:

Written communication
Verbal communication
Eye for detail
Management skills
Problem solving and analytical thinking
Customer relations

Do you need work experience to be a quality assurance technician?

Getting work experience will boost your employability at any stage of your career but is especially important at the beginning. During your studies, internships and summer placements are good ways to build experience and make valuable industry connections. Many engineering and other industry-focused degree programmes offer placement opportunities.