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What is a lead software quality assurance and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Aaron Napierala

The lead software quality assurance engineer handles all aspects of software testing, including automated and manual tests. They monitor the development process to ensure adherence to the company's standards. They also ensure that products are released in time and within budget as well as perform and record risk analysis. As a lead software quality assurance engineer, you are responsible for devising standards and procedures to determine product quality and release readiness. You identify and resolve any possible issue that users might face. Also, you are in charge of discovering new tools, technologies, and testing processes.

You will get a job as a lead software quality assurance engineer with a bachelor's degree in software design or a related field and previous experience. Asides from that, you must possess communication, problem-solving, time-management, and practical skills. Employment can come from any field, and most employers pay an average of $94,796.

What general advice would you give to a lead software quality assurance?

Aaron NapieralaAaron Napierala LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Defiance College

The most important advice I can offer, is to let them know to work toward something they are passionate about. Many people have the impression that CS is all about programming. While programming can, and does, deal with programming, an education in CS lays the foundation for students to work with technology, whatever that might be. If students are not passionate about what they are doing, I believe students would be hard-pressed to achieve their true potential. If you have a solid foundation, but nothing to build on top of that, where are you? This is why I always recommend students explore other areas, outside of CS, that they are excited to learn more about, to complement their technical knowledge. If students can't relate to people outside of their discipline, I think they will be limited on what they can do and ultimately not satisfied.
ScoreLead Software Quality AssuranceUS Average
Salary
7.8

Avg. Salary $107,134

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
4.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 31.85%

male 68.15%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
5.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.1

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Lead software quality assurance career paths

Key steps to become a lead software quality assurance

  1. Explore lead software quality assurance education requirements

    Most common lead software quality assurance degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.3 %

    Master's

    18.0 %

    Associate

    9.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific lead software quality assurance skills

    SkillsPercentages
    QA9.57%
    Python5.19%
    Java4.14%
    Software Development4.05%
    Test Automation4.02%
  3. Complete relevant lead software quality assurance training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New lead software quality assurances learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a lead software quality assurance based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real lead software quality assurance resumes.
  4. Research lead software quality assurance duties and responsibilities

    • Develop selenium scripts to automate regression testing and Perl scripts for database schema validation.
    • Maintain coordination between onsite and offshore very smooth with daily status calls and achieve timely and quality deliverable.
    • Perform API testing for numerous features.
    • Perform manual functional/integration and regression testing for java web base medical application.
  5. Get lead software quality assurance experience

    Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a lead software quality assurance. The most common roles before becoming a lead software quality assurance include quality assurance engineer, quality assurance analyst team lead and senior quality assurance engineer.
  6. Prepare your lead software quality assurance resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lead software quality assurance resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a lead software quality assurance resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable lead software quality assurance resume templates

    Build a professional lead software quality assurance resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your lead software quality assurance resume.
    Lead Software Quality Assurance Resume
    Lead Software Quality Assurance Resume
    Lead Software Quality Assurance Resume
    Lead Software Quality Assurance Resume
    Lead Software Quality Assurance Resume
    Lead Software Quality Assurance Resume
    Lead Software Quality Assurance Resume
    Lead Software Quality Assurance Resume
    Lead Software Quality Assurance Resume
  7. Apply for lead software quality assurance jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a lead software quality assurance job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first lead software quality assurance job

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Average lead software quality assurance salary

The average lead software quality assurance salary in the United States is $107,134 per year or $52 per hour. Lead software quality assurance salaries range between $82,000 and $138,000 per year.

Average lead software quality assurance salary
$107,134 Yearly
$51.51 hourly

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Lead software quality assurance reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

Working with technology.

Cons

Automated testing is more in demand than manual testing.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

Designing a new system or making changes to an old one.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Pros

New field to work with compassion.

Cons

Low pay structure as compared to the efforts put in.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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