Quality Control Systems Managers
Management
Quality-assurance programs covering laboratory and production work are planned and directed here. Standard operating procedures and quality manuals are written and updated; testing is directed through each production stage; raw materials, purchased parts, in-process samples, and finished goods are checked against inspection standards. Test results are analyzed and explained to production staff, and quality documents are prepared for regulatory reviews and inspections. When serious defects appear, production is stopped, and supervisors, inspectors, and laboratory testers are overseen throughout. It suits people who like reading detailed procedures, spotting when a system is failing, and documenting findings clearly.
Typical education: Bachelor’s Degree (4-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$126'060
Median Wage Market Position
$126'060
What you might do
- Stop production when serious defects appear
- Update quality manuals and operating procedures
- Check that quality systems work as intended
- Review documents needed for inspections and filings
- Explain test results to production managers
- Verify materials and finished goods meet standards
Skills that matter
- Stopping production over serious defects
- Updates to quality manuals and procedures
- Feedback on quality-control test results
- Inspection of materials and finished products
- Oversight of inspectors and laboratory testers
- Quality documents for regulatory inspections
AI & the future of this role
Automated inspection, statistical monitoring, and documentation may take over large parts of quality programs. Policy judgment and accountability when defects reach customers still matter, though much of the analytical and reporting work looks increasingly exposed.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details