How to hire a senior quality engineer

How to hire a senior quality engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step senior quality engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a senior quality engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior quality engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a senior quality engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your senior quality engineer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a senior quality engineer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A senior quality engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, senior quality engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of senior quality engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Senior Quality Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Quality Engineer	Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.	$37-62
   Quality Control Supervisor	A quality control supervisor specializes in carrying out and implementing systems and procedures that ensure product quality within an organization. They are primarily responsible for devising priorities and standards, managing schedules to abide by the production timeline, monitoring activities, coordinating with production and quality control personnel, assessing employee performance, and thoroughly discussing new systems for all staff... Show more	$22-41
   Quality Assurance Supervisor	A quality assurance supervisor oversees and leads the quality control operations within a manufacturing plant or similar establishment. They are primarily responsible for crafting and implementing policies that prioritize the efficiency of products or services, supervising and evaluating the performances of the workforce, and setting standards and procedures that align not just with the goals of the company, but the national and international level of production standards... Show more	$22-45

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Continuous Improvement
   • ISO
   • Corrective Action
   • Product Quality
   • Sigma
   • Quality System
   • Quality Standards
   • Quality Issues
   • CAPA
   • FDA
   • Supplier Quality
   • Process Control
   • Java
   • Data Analysis

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Propose design changes on other commodities to achieve gap & flush requirements.
   • Provide corporate-wide training and manage contract facilities QMS.
   • Develop an equipment specification and manage the project introducing an automate vision inspection system into manufacturing as part of a CAPA.
   • Participate in new product development activities including component design reviews, FMEA and control plan development.
   • Process planning activities in the extrusion, graphitization and finishing departments.
   • Conduct internal AS9100 audits, tracking corrective action to closure and trending analysis.

   More senior quality engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the senior quality engineer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A senior quality engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a senior quality engineer in Tennessee may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level senior quality engineer. Additionally, a senior quality engineer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average senior quality engineer salary

   $101,339yearly

   $48.72 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level senior quality engineer salary

   $78,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 25, 2025

   Average senior quality engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$131,722	$63
   2	Washington	$121,652	$58
   3	Massachusetts	$111,511	$54
   4	Arizona	$107,367	$52
   5	New York	$99,517	$48
   6	Texas	$99,462	$48
   7	Utah	$97,735	$47
   8	Virginia	$97,716	$47
   9	Minnesota	$97,403	$47
   10	Michigan	$95,108	$46
   11	Illinois	$92,203	$44
   12	Arkansas	$91,077	$44
   13	North Carolina	$88,023	$42
   14	Florida	$87,886	$42
   15	Georgia	$87,847	$42
   16	Ohio	$86,200	$41
   17	Tennessee	$81,801	$39
   18	Indiana	$77,784	$37

   Average senior quality engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$145,654	$70.03	172
   2	Twitter	$140,872	$67.73	1
   3	Microsoft	$140,290	$67.45	42
   4	eBay	$137,963	$66.33	3
   5	Rivian	$133,938	$64.39	10
   6	AppDynamics	$133,567	$64.21
   7	Box	$133,078	$63.98	5
   8	Showtime Networks	$130,879	$62.92
   9	Marin Software	$130,532	$62.76
   10	Okta	$130,009	$62.50
   11	CME Group	$129,484	$62.25	3
   12	Intuitive Surgical	$129,369	$62.20	13
   13	Levi Strauss & Co.	$129,367	$62.20
   14	Renaissance Learning	$129,088	$62.06
   15	Uber Technologies	$128,741	$61.89
   16	Pandora	$128,386	$61.72
   17	VMware	$128,271	$61.67
   18	Amazon	$127,583	$61.34	202
   19	The Walt Disney Company	$127,031	$61.07	23
   20	Move	$126,676	$60.90

4. Writing a senior quality engineer job description

   A good senior quality engineer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a senior quality engineer job description:

   Senior quality engineer job description example

   You don't see it, but it's there. Our employees work on the world's most advanced electronics - from saving emissions in the City of Lights to powering the Mars Rover to protecting the F-35 fighter jet. At Electronic Systems, you'll be among the brightest minds, working on the aerospace and defense industry's most difficult problems. Drawing strength from our differences, we're innovating for the future. And you can, too.
   
   Our flexible work environment provides you a chance to change the world without giving up your personal life. We put our customers first - exemplified by our missions: "We Protect Those Who Protect Us®" and "We Innovate For Those Who Move The WorldTM."Sound like a team you want to be a part of? Come build your career with us.
   
   BAE Systems is seeking a Sr. Quality Engineer for a position based in Fort Wayne Indiana. The position requires quality engineering experience that is necessary to focus on successful program execution of production and sustainment programs. This position will support manufacturing by representing the customer requirements and ensuring product quality. The responsibilities include:
   Hardware inspections First Article Inspections (FAI) Facilitation of multifunctional Root Cause Corrective Actions Quality Management System Audits Analysis of escape / defect data to drive continuous improvement/zero defects Control of Non-Conforming Materials including leading containment and disposition activities Material Review Board and Failure Review Board Manufacturing Support for Production Build including Corrective Action Board and Configuration Control Board Error proofing Documentation preparation for customer presentation / Sell Off Presentation of product for customer and/or DCMA acceptance (Sell Off) The successful candidate should possess a working knowledge of AS9100 and be able to work successfully on a multifunctional team in a fast paced environment.
   
   Required Education, Experience, & Skills
   Bachelor's degree in a technical or engineering discipline and 4 years of experience or 8 years of experience in lieu of degree AS9100 or ISO 9000 understanding Must be able to obtain a security clearance Able to interpret drawings and specifications Effective interpersonal skills Experience leading Root Cause and Corrective Action activities Experience with AS9201 First Article Inspection Attention to detail Proficient in MS Office Products including Word. Excel, and Power Point
   Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
   Bachelor's degree in engineering 4+ years experience in Hardware Quality Engineering PPAP and PFMEA Lean Six Sigma Analysis and Tools Experience
   About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
   BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems' game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere - from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact - for our customers and the communities we serve.
   
   Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
   At BAE Systems, we work hard every day to nurture an inclusive culture where employees are valued and feel like they belong. We are conscious of the need for all employees to see themselves reflected at every level of the company and know that in order to unlock the full potential of our workforce, everyone must feel confident being their best, most sincere self and be equipped to thrive. We provide impactful professional development experiences to our employees and invest in social impact partnerships to uplift communities and drive purposeful change. Here you will find significant opportunities to do meaningful work in an environment intentionally designed to be one where you will learn, grow and belong.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right senior quality engineer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with senior quality engineers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit senior quality engineers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your senior quality engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit senior quality engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit senior quality engineers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new senior quality engineer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the senior quality engineer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new senior quality engineer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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