What Does A QA Engineer Do? When Remote Teams Need Manual vs. Automation Testing

Industry Trends & Innovation

Read Time: 15 mins

What Does A QA Engineer Do? When Remote Teams Need Manual vs. Automation Testing
Delivering a flawless digital product is no longer just a goal, it's a business mandate. From high-growth SaaS to mission-critical healthcare solutions, the margin for error is razor-thin. A single bug, security flaw, or lagging interface component can erode trust and send customers elsewhere. This reality makes understanding what does a QA Engineer do and the broader QA Engineer role essential for every B2B business that relies on software products. Quality Assurance Engineers and QA Testers do more than spot-check for issues or run test cases, they are strategic team members who safeguard quality across the entire development process. In an era of distributed teams and accelerated sprints, they ensure your software meets both functional requirements and the required standards of quality with every release.

The Evolving Role of a QA Engineer

The QA Engineer role represents a blend of technical, analytical, and collaborative ability. Unlike pure software testers, QA Engineers actively participate in product development, guiding the product team through requirements, specifications, testing procedures, and even regulatory requirements in a variety of industries.

What Are the Main Responsibilities?

  • Test Planning and Strategy: Creating detailed test plans that reflect project objectives, user stories, and both functional and technical requirements. This includes allocating resources and choosing the right mix of manual and automation tests.
  • Test Case Development: Building comprehensive test cases and scripts that cover core features, edge cases, and large data inputs.
  • Test Execution: Running QA testing across multiple devices, platforms, and software releases, ensuring the final product meets client and regulatory expectations.
  • Defect Reporting & Quality Control: Maintaining quality control by documenting, prioritizing, and tracking defects, collaborating closely with developers and product team members for continuous improvement.
  • Regression and Integration Testing: Ensuring that new updates don’t break existing functions with well-designed regression suites.
  • Continuous Improvement: Working with engineering and management positions to identify bottlenecks in development and refining testing procedures.
Their knowledge of testing methodologies, understanding of the software development process, and ability to balance manual vs. automation strategies make a QA Engineer vital for successful product delivery.

The QA Engineer as a Strategic Partner

A great QA Engineer does more than test software, they become embedded in the product team. With in-depth knowledge of the development process, they anticipate potential problems before code is deployed and partner with project management and software engineering roles to support the entire process. For example: In healthcare, QA testers play a vital role by ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations and patient data security requirements. In fintech, they are gatekeepers for regulatory requirements and risk management.

QA Engineer Qualifications and Career Path

Educational Requirements and Experience

Most employers require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Increasingly, candidates with years of experience, strong problem-solving skills, and certifications in QA or specific tools are preferred for senior QA Engineer roles. A recent survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the demand for Quality Assurance Engineers and Test Analysts in the United States continues to rise, with an average salary that reflects their growing importance in digital product development.

Essential Skills for QA Testers and Engineers

  • Analytical ability: QA Testers need strong problem-solving skills to break down complex software products into testable units, uncovering bugs invisible to others.
  • Programming language proficiency: The main difference between manual and automation QA roles is coding experience. Automation often requires scripting in languages like Python, Java, or JavaScript.
  • Attention to detail: Building test cases and interpreting test results demand precision and the ability to spot subtle anomalies.
  • Collaboration: Effective collaboration with developers, product managers, and other team members is crucial for integrating QA throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Understanding of the software development process: QA Engineers contribute from inception to final delivery, not just at the end.

Career Progression and Advancement

QA roles offer a clear career path. Testers may advance from entry-level roles to QA Analyst, Test Engineer, or QA Manager positions. Senior QA Engineers or Directors often oversee multiple teams and establish testing procedures and quality control metrics for large organizations. Those with project management experience can transition into broader managerial roles. Exploring higher-paying roles or moving to specialized Test Analyst or Test Engineer positions are common routes for professional growth.

The Dual Path: Manual Testing vs. Automation Testing

One of the QA Engineer’s core decisions is how to balance manual tests with automation for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

Manual Testing: When Human Insight Matters

Manual testing is essential for scenarios that require empathy, critical thinking, or off-script exploration. Despite advances in automation, manual QA testers bring a sense of nuance and adaptability that cannot be replicated by scripts.

Scenarios for Manual QA Testing

  • Exploratory testing: Performing unscripted, creative tests to identify unknown issues, especially valuable in new product development or unique user flows.
  • Usability & accessibility testing: Assessing product usability, edge cases, and user satisfaction by thinking like a customer.
  • Testing unique, rare, or complex scenarios: Manual tests excel for one-off situations or custom integrations where automation overhead is too high.
  • Validating UI/UX: QA testers provide actionable qualitative feedback that shapes the user journey.
Example: A mobile app for healthcare scheduling needs a QA tester to simulate the experience of an elderly patient, identifying confusing navigation or accessibility gaps, issues an automation suite may overlook.

Automation Testing: Scaling Quality Assurance

As codebases grow and release cycles accelerate, automation becomes key to consistent, high-velocity product delivery.

Strengths of Automation QA Testing

  • Regression Testing: Automation ensures that core functionality remains stable with every new release, critical for software products deployed frequently.
  • Performance, load, and stress testing: Automated scripts simulate thousands of concurrent users to identify bottlenecks, ideal for e-commerce or high-traffic web apps.
  • Data-driven and repetitive routines: Validating functions across vast datasets (for example, e-commerce price updates) is best handled by automation.
  • Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD): Automation facilitates frequent deployments with confidence, flagging issues within minutes.
Example: In manufacturing, automation testing speeds up product development by quickly validating process control software against hundreds of potential problems that could halt factory operations.  

Essential Tools and Technologies in QA Engineering

QA engineers leverage a wide variety of industry tools to streamline the QA process:
  • Test management platforms (like TestRail or Zephyr) help document detailed test plans, assign tasks, and track test results across the product team.
  • Automation tools such as Selenium, Cypress, Appium, and JUnit play a key role in building robust regression test suites.
  • Bug tracking and collaboration tools (such as Jira, Trello, or Asana) centralize communication between developers, QA team members, and managers for efficient issue resolution.
  • Performance and load testing apps are critical for simulating real-world usage scenarios, especially on a mobile device or cloud-based software.
Expanding your team’s knowledge of testing methodologies and various tools is vital for tackling complex test cases in a fast-evolving technology landscape.

How QA Engineers Add Business Value Across Industries

Quality Assurance Engineers are indispensable across a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, retail, manufacturing, and technology. Their impact extends well beyond finding bugs, they play a vital role in risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction.
  • Healthcare: QA Engineers ensure EMR/EHR systems meet HIPAA and patient safety standards. Manual and automation testing are both essential for validating data flows and regulatory requirements.
  • Finance: The product team relies on QA testers to validate security, transaction integrity, and compliance, often running automated tests for deal and transfer workflows at any hour.
  • Manufacturing: QA roles are integral for testing process automation systems, identifying integration issues between software and physical equipment. The production team can avoid costly downtimes through continuous improvement and rapid feedback from QA testing.
  • SaaS & E-commerce: QA Engineers optimize the final product for user experience, uptime, and data privacy, reinforcing the entire product development cycle.

Qualifications: What Makes a Great QA Engineer?

A well-rounded QA Engineer typically holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Employers value several years of experience working with a range of software products, and knowledge of different programming languages. What distinguishes top candidates:
  • Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.
  • Deep knowledge of software development process and familiarity with standards for required quality.
  • Demonstrated history of working in areas such as manufacturing or healthcare, where domain-specific compliance is critical.
The best candidates possess the ability to adapt to evolving technologies and project requirements, bringing a continuous improvement mindset to the QA role.    

Building and Scaling QA Teams for Product Success

Modern organizations cannot afford silos. QA Engineers must collaborate with product teams, developers, project management staff, and even external stakeholders such as recruiters, vendors, or regulatory bodies.

Effective Integration of QA into the Product Team

  • Involve QA Engineers and QA testers from the inception of the project. Early participation ensures that functional and technical requirements are fully captured in test plans and that quality control is an ongoing priority.
  • Encourage active communication through daily standups, sprint reviews, and regular feedback sessions with all team members.
  • Foster a culture where QA’s recommendations are trusted strategic input for the final product instead of last-minute checkboxes.
Tip: For organizations scaling fast, investing in dedicated QA roles or leveraging dedicated development team services can prevent quality breakdowns and missed deadlines. Consider reading our guide to IT outsourcing services and how to scale your SaaS development team for more on strategic staffing.

Career Growth: From QA Engineer to Director

A typical QA Engineer career path moves from Manual Testers and Junior QA Roles to Test Analyst, Senior QA Engineer, Manager, and beyond. Each step involves expanding knowledge, skillsets, and leadership responsibilities. Some QA professionals pivot to management positions, leveraging experience in QA to oversee project management or even product leadership. For those with several years of experience in specialized fields, such as healthcare, finance, or manufacturing, the transition into senior QA Engineer roles or Director roles is a natural next step. The main difference at each level is the scale of responsibility, ranging from detailed testing to setting quality strategies for multiple products or divisions.

Hiring QA Engineers: What B2B Clients Need to Know

What Recruiters and Employers Should Look For

When hiring for remote QA Engineer positions or scaling a product team, it’s essential for recruiters and employers to prioritize candidates with:
  • Proven QA expertise, ideally across a variety of software products, platforms, and industries.
  • Practical experience with manual and automated testing procedures, and familiarity with the latest tools.
  • The ability to write clear documentation, from detailed test plans to concise, actionable bug reports.
  • Strong collaboration and technical communication with other team members and managers.
  • Understanding of both the business goals (e.g., meeting product requirements or industry regulations) and software engineering best practices.
A robust resume search will highlight candidates who not only meet the technical requirements but also demonstrate leadership and adaptability—key attributes for those pursuing advancement into higher-paying roles.

Why ParallelStaff? A Trusted Partner for QA Talent Acquisition

When evaluating QA talent acquisition strategies, it’s important to understand industry standards and trends. Leading authority sites like the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) offer insights on best practices and certifications for QA testers and Quality Assurance Engineers. For those interested in the future of software engineering and quality control, TechBeacon provides in-depth articles on innovative testing tools and methodologies. Additionally, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers guidance on strategic talent acquisition, including tips on finding the best candidates and optimizing hiring processes. If your business is seeking quality assurance excellence—from one strategic hire to rapid, multi-role team scaling—ParallelStaff delivers best-in-class QA talent through a proven, consultative approach.

Benefits of Partnering with ParallelStaff

  • Access to a global pool: Connect with senior QA Engineers, Test Engineers, and QA Managers across the United States and nearshore markets.
  • Custom-fit teams: Whether you need manual testers for exploratory cycles or automation testers for 24/7 coverage, ParallelStaff assembles dedicated squads tailored to your workflow and technical needs.
  • Faster time-to-hire: Avoid lengthy searches. Receive detailed information on pre-vetted candidates within days.
  • Consultative support: Our team helps clarify your main responsibilities, product requirements, and functional requirements for each project, guiding the entire process from scoping to onboarding.
Take the next step toward uninterrupted quality—schedule a call with our expert team to discuss how we can help you build or expand your QA capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the primary role of a QA Engineer in the software development process?

The QA Engineer role focuses on quality control throughout the entire process, from product requirements gathering to final product deployment. They work with developers, managers, and the product team to design and execute test cases, ensuring that the software meets functional and technical requirements and adheres to required standards of quality.

2. What qualifications are required for senior QA Engineer roles?

Most senior QA Engineer roles require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field, several years of experience in QA or testing, and advanced knowledge of testing methodologies and various tools. Familiarity with regulatory requirements and experience managing team members are also highly desirable for management positions.

3. How do manual tests differ from automation in QA testing?

The main difference lies in execution: manual tests are conducted by QA testers simulating user behavior for exploratory, usability, or unique scenario testing. Automation involves using scripts and tools to quickly execute large volumes of repetitive or regression tests. Most mature quality assurance strategies combine both for comprehensive coverage.

4. How does ParallelStaff help employers find the best candidates for the QA Engineer role?

ParallelStaff leverages a targeted resume search and technical vetting process to deliver a shortlist of the best candidates matched to your technical requirements, team structure, and industry. We expedite the hiring process and ensure new hires can make an immediate impact.

5. What are the latest trends in QA services and product development for B2B clients?

Current trends include the use of AI-driven testing tools, tighter integration of QA with agile product teams, and the increasing demand for QA expertise in regulated industries like healthcare and manufacturing. As software products grow in complexity and expectations for quality rise, investing in specialized QA services and dedicated development team services is critical for risk mitigation and accelerated product delivery.

Paola Araujo

Account Manager

Paola Araujo is Account Manager at ParallelStaff with over 8 years of experience in the IT and staffing industry. She specializes in managing client relationships and ensuring the successful delivery of nearshore and offshore development teams. Paola is passionate about driving results through efficient coordination and clear communication.