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Quality lead vs manager, quality engineer

The differences between quality leads and managers, quality engineer can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a quality lead, becoming a manager, quality engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a manager, quality engineer has an average salary of $121,191, which is higher than the $90,301 average annual salary of a quality lead.

The top three skills for a quality lead include continuous improvement, product quality and quality standards. The most important skills for a manager, quality engineer are quality engineering, continuous improvement, and corrective action.

Quality lead vs manager, quality engineer overview

Quality LeadManager, Quality Engineer
Yearly salary$90,301$121,191
Hourly rate$43.41$58.26
Growth rate3%10%
Number of jobs62,01890,218
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4842
Years of experience64

What does a quality lead do?

A quality assurance (QA) lead is responsible for organizing and managing the testing of products prior to its release. Your duties will include defining testing standards and strategies, establishing formal QA processes, and overseeing all aspects of QA, such as using best practices and establishing metrics. Additionally, you are responsible for supervising and mentoring QA team members, and developing and implementing scripts, test cases, and procedures. You are also responsible for managing off quality products and developing and institutionalizing ISO complaints.

What does a manager, quality engineer do?

A quality engineer manager is in charge of designing and developing quality control procedures, ensuring all products and operations meet the company's standards. Their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis to identify business needs, assessing existing quality control methods to identify areas needing improvements, and providing solutions on issues and concerns. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Quality lead vs manager, quality engineer salary

Quality leads and managers, quality engineer have different pay scales, as shown below.

Quality LeadManager, Quality Engineer
Average salary$90,301$121,191
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $127,000Between $90,000 And $163,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyGoogleCredit Karma
Best paying industryHealth CareTechnology

Differences between quality lead and manager, quality engineer education

There are a few differences between a quality lead and a manager, quality engineer in terms of educational background:

Quality LeadManager, Quality Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Quality lead vs manager, quality engineer demographics

Here are the differences between quality leads' and managers, quality engineer' demographics:

Quality LeadManager, Quality Engineer
Average age4842
Gender ratioMale, 58.7% Female, 41.3%Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 11.1% White, 68.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%4%

Differences between quality lead and manager, quality engineer duties and responsibilities

Quality lead example responsibilities.

  • Analyze health plan's performance in achieving HEDIS targets and determine appropriate actions for improvement.
  • Manage raw materials receive in the lab and perform raw material USP testing for product release.
  • Manage global QMS development and implementation efforts at service locations.
  • Lead business system development in new aerospace start-up facility with industry-unique process concept.
  • Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications using measuring instruments such as rulers, calipers, gauges and/or micrometers.
  • Provide leadership and strategic decision-making for regulatory compliance during new product development phase for FDA submission.
  • Show more

Manager, quality engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage APQP with customer participation and input as required by suppliers.
  • Manage incoming inspection and MRB to review suspect material from outside suppliers.
  • Ensure all QC manuals, processes, procedures and work instructions are properly manage.
  • Manage new product launches and their relate safety requirements, control plans, PFMEAS and APQP.
  • Establish and manage SW QA organizations on sector projects to include broadband, transportation, home entertainment, and personal communications.
  • Manage and monitor CAPA activities, including implementation and closure.
  • Show more

Quality lead vs manager, quality engineer skills

Common quality lead skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 8%
  • Product Quality, 6%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Process Improvement, 4%
  • Management System, 4%
Common manager, quality engineer skills
  • Quality Engineering, 10%
  • Continuous Improvement, 7%
  • Corrective Action, 6%
  • ISO, 5%
  • Sigma, 5%
  • Product Quality, 5%

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