Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Home :: More Career Profiles
Quality Control Engineer |
Career OverviewThe role of a quality control engineer includes almost all aspects of the production of biotechnology compounds and products. A quality control engineer is involved in designing, implementing, testing and troubleshooting of the production of the biochemical product from raw materials through to the final product.
In addition to just working with the process the quality control engineer develops testing procedures and helps to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all stages of the development of the product. They are involved in designing and implementing the methods for testing the process as well as troubleshooting any equipment or process problems or failures throughout the manufacturing of the product.
As the main profession that is critical in keeping industry standards up to date and enforced in the various manufacturing companies it is very important for the quality control engineer to have an excellent understanding of all federal, state and agency regulations as well as GLP (good laboratory practice) and GMP (good manufacturing practice).
A quality control engineer requires a strong background in sciences as well as excellent communication, problem solving and team process backgrounds. In addition the ability to use complete data analysis programs is also essential.
|
Career RequirementsAll quality control engineer jobs require a minimum of a Bachelors level education in a related science field and most will require at least a Masters level education plus at least 2-4 years of lab experience with quality control. In addition many companies require specialized certification with regards to instrument calibration and laboratory procedures.
Masters level programs are required for those quality control engineers that wish to apply for supervisory or management positions within both private sector and government facilities. Additional certification and experience in the various fields of biotechnology may also be required.
|
Advertisement
|
Job OutlookIncreasing emphasis on the biotechnology industry as a whole and great regulation of manufacturing has lead to an increase in demand for those individuals that have experience in quality control. The increasing regulation on production has also lead to a demand for trained and experienced quality control engineers that can work independently or supervise a team of less experienced quality control engineers to complete all required tests.
|
Career TrackA Bachelors level quality control engineer has many opportunities to move between the various types of labs and manufacturing facilities to find an area that they would like to specialize in. With additional experience and education the opportunities for quality control engineers to move up to supervisory and management level jobs is very good.
Often senior or experienced quality control engineers are used to provide both in-house and outside of facility training on quality control procedures. This is often an opportunity for quality control engineers to complete some contract work with other facilities providing in-services and training on industry standards.
|
CompensationAn entry level quality control engineer with a Bachelors level of education and less than two years of experience with quality control processes will average a salary of $35,000 to $48,000, depending on experience and additional qualifications.
A Masters level quality control engineer with more than five years experience averages between $51,000 and $67,000. Senior level quality control engineers with Masters level training, specialized certification and supervisory or management positions can earn $86,000 or more per year.
|
|