What Are Controls Engineers?

Quality assurance and control specialists are the people who devise ways to guarantee the quality of products. Sometimes called "quality assurance engineers," they study products at various stages of development to make sure they are safe, will satisfy customers, and meet the company’s and regulators’ standards. The products they work on run the gamut from rice to airplane parts to the computer application that allows you to read this brief.

In many companies, quality assurance and control specialists are also responsible for acquiring and maintaining quality certification for their companies. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) prescribes quality management policies for all steps and components of the manufacturing process, including product inspection and testing. Companies that meet these standards can earn the internationally recognized ISO certificate of registration, which gives them an advantage in selling their products by assuring high standards of quality.

Sometimes, quality assurance and quality control are synonymous; sometimes they are separate. When they’re two separate jobs, quality assurance specialists are responsible for maintaining the ISO certification, developing inspection sampling plans, and reporting on product and inventory quality, while quality control specialists review and evaluate the production process and train and supervise quality control technicians.

Whatever their particular job function, all quality specialists must be able to use complex statistical analysis and computer programs to plan, create, and implement quality control and assurance strategies. Using today’s sophisticated technology and often-complicated statistical analyses, these specialists monitor quality at every stage--development, production, and final product.

Today, the fastest growing area of specialization in quality assurance is information technology. Information-technology quality specialists plan the testing of IT products--usually software or internet sites--for bugs and ease of use, making sure that every option works as it should in all types of environments.

Specific tasks include:
- Analyzing engineering specifications and manufacturing processes;
- Developing test plans and automated testing tools;
- Directing automated testing;
- Documenting quality problems and suggesting solutions;
- Assisting product developers with detecting and resolving product defects;
- Approving finished products for distribution;
- Training and mentoring other QA staff members;
- Maintaining ISO certification by making sure that the company follows ISO policies.

Skills, abilities, and personal characteristics:
- Knowledge of software development and computer languages;
- Using statistical analysis;
- Knowledge of laws and industry standards that regulate product’s quality;
- Working within precise limits or standards of accuracy;
- Collecting, evaluating and analyzing information;
- Making decisions based on professional standards and personal judgment;
- Problem-solving and trouble-shooting;
- Attention to detail;
- Writing reports;
- Keeping detailed and accurate records;
- Meeting deadlines.