Introduction

A QA engineer, or Quality Assurance engineer, is a software development professional who ensures a product is high-quality by identifying bugs and defects through systematic testing. They are responsible for planning and executing tests, reporting issues and collaborating to resolve them before a product is released to the public.

However, supply and demand poses a challenge for companies looking to hire QA professionals, with the demand for qualified, experienced QA engineers and analysts outweighing the domestic supply within the US. Businesses often amplify this challenge by restricting their search to local tech talent; however, in recent years, the rise of remote, global work has begun to solve this issue.

What is QA Engineering?

QA engineering plays a vital role in the software development cycle, running both manual and automated tests to identify bugs and other issues within software. Some of the chief responsibilities of a QA engineer include designing the automated and manual tests, analyzing the results and collaborating on their resolution with the development team.

What does a QA Engineer do?

A QA (Quality Assurance) Engineer ensures software quality by testing for bugs, identifying issues, and working with developers to fix them before product release, guaranteeing it meets user needs and standards. They write and execute test plans, automate tests, analyze results, and ensure the product is reliable, functional, and meets quality benchmarks across the development lifecycle.

QA Engineering Skills and Qualifications

QA Engineers will often hold a degree in computer science or similar, though this is not essential. When hiring a QA Engineer, it’s most important to look for strong experience in key tools and frameworks.

There are also many certifications and qualifications that a QA engineer may have. Popular certifications include:

• ISCB Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST)
• ISTQB Advanced Level
• ISTQB Testing with Generative AI (CT-GenAI)
• QAI/ISCB Certified Software Tester
• ISCB Certified Software Quality Analyst
• Certified Software Test Professional Associate Level (CSTP-A)
• Certified Agile Software Test Professional Practitioner Level (CASTP-P)

Beyond technical skills, soft skills are vital when choosing your QA Engineer. Problem-solving is crucial, aiding with troubleshooting and continuous learning. Communication is also essential when looking for any new team member, particularly in facilitating clear and open communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Popular Languages for QA Engineering

There are many languages and frameworks commonly used for QA Automation. Some of the most popular include:

• Python: An open-source, general-purpose programming language with broad applicability across domains.
• Java: An open-source, object-oriented language, known for its first-class performance and efficiency.
• JavaScript: A high-level programming language popular for front-end development, commonly used for automation testing.
• C#: A powerful, object-oriented programming language that has become prominent in the automation testing space.
• Ruby: A dynamic, object-oriented programming language that is also popular in software test automation.
• PHP: A server-side scripting language utilized for web improvement.

Popular QA Engineering Frameworks

Frameworks are collections of reusable code, templates and tools that provide a foundational structure for building applications effectively and efficiently. Some of the most popular QA engineering frameworks and tools include:

• Cypress: A JavaScript-based framework offering real-time debugging, network mocking and snapshots.
• Playwright: Microsoft’s solution for reliable cross-browser E2E testing.
• Selenium: The established standard for web automation.
• TestCafe: Offers simple, reliable, and fast E2E testing for web apps.
• Taiko: Simplifies browser automation with a focus on user-friendly syntax.
• Postman: The leading tool for API testing, offering automation, mocking, monitoring, and documentation.
• Artillery: A Node.js-based framework, great for performance and functional API testing.
• Locust: A Python-based framework for distributed load testing.
• Katalon: A platform to unify test planning, authoring and execution with AI features.
• TestRail: Used for test management and integrating automation.
• Appium: A tool used for mobile app automation across both iOS and Android.

What are the benefits of QA Engineering?

QA Engineering benefits companies by ensuring higher product quality and streamlining development for faster, more reliable releases with enhanced security. They improve efficiency, protect brand reputation, and build user trust through systematic testing and process improvement, making software more robust and stable.

How much does it cost to hire a QA Engineer?

When hiring traditionally in the US for a local, mid-level QA engineers, the average annual compensation is $119,938, with a range of $40,000 to $230,000 according to Built In. However, even by just expanding to other parts of the United States, salaries can be reduced significantly.

On average, companies hiring QA engineers with HireDevelopers can expect to save between 50% and 80% on salaries and hiring costs, with exact salaries varying based on location and experience. The greatest savings can be found by hiring in Africa and Asia, while companies looking for aligned time zones and a closer cultural match can hire from our extensive pool of Latin American developers.

How to hire QA Engineers

The first step to hiring a QA engineer is to decide on a hiring method. Traditional hiring methods include local job adverts, LinkedIn job posts and using your professional network to identify potential candidates.

However, these methods are often time consuming and can be expensive. The median time to hire a developer is around 41 days, with the slowest 10% taking up to 82 days and 38% of companies reporting project delays due to recruitment problems, according to the Linux Foundation’s 2024 State of Tech Talent Report.

Alternatively, many companies are now turning to services like HireDevelopers to cut costs and speed up the hiring process. With HireDevelopers, you can hire QA engineer from anywhere in the world, at any price point, in just 24 hours.

When putting together a job description or job interview for a QA engineer, prioritize technical skills, like familiarity with key frameworks and libraries.

You should also consider using coding challenges alongside a traditional interview during the hiring process – if you’re using a pre-vetted talent pool like HireDevelopers, this has already been done for you. Coding challenges allow you to assess problem-solving skills and coding expertise in a realistic, real-time environment.

If you need help putting together a QA job description or conducting a QA job interview, you can check out our helpful and comprehensive guides below. Alternatively, to cut your time-to-hire by 90% and unlock savings of up to 80%, get in touch and book your free HireDevelopers consultation today.

Why hire QA Engineers with HireDevelopers?

Hiring the right QA engineer for your team is a huge undertaking, and the process can be intimidating, especially for startups and small businesses.

At HireDevelopers, our pre-vetted, global tech talent marketplace streamlines your hiring journey and cuts time-to-hire by over 90% without compromising on quality or stretching your budget. Receive a custom shortlist of top QA engineers at any seniority level, at any price point and located anywhere in the world within just 24 hours of your consultation.

Plus, we’ll handle all payroll, legal compliance and HR completely for free, giving you more time to start building with your new QA engineer.

Get in touch today and start hiring top-notch QA engineers in just 24 hours.