Quality Assurance Jobs

In practice, QA and QC often overlap, especially in smaller organisations; many job titles use “quality assurance” even though the role may include QC tasks. In regulated industries (pharma, food, manufacturing), QA roles often also carry compliance, validation, documentation, audits, and change control responsibilities. Here’s a bit more information about the difference between the two terms.

Consider the likes of:

• Lessons Learned in Software Testing(2002) by Cem Kaner, James Bach, and Bret Pettichord. This book gathers a collection of practical insights, lessons, and principles from three leading figures in software testing. Rather than a dry methodology, this guide offers pragmatic advice in a "tips, tours, and techniques" format. It is valuable for testers at all experience levels as a reference for handling real-world testing challenges and thinking like an expert. Available here;
  • The Art of Software Testing (1979)by Glenford J Myers, Corey Sandler, and Tom Badgett. A timeless classic that lays the philosophical and procedural groundwork for effective software testing. First published in 1979, the principles in this book are still relevant today and are often cited as the basis for the ISTQB certification. It helps testers develop a crucial "testing mindset", by teaching them to design effective test cases, think critically about what could go wrong, and find bugs more systematically. Available: here;
  • Agile Testing: A Practical Guide for Testers and Agile Teams (2008) by Lisa Crispin and Janet Gregory. This guide provides a comprehensive framework for how testers can work effectively within an Agile software development environment. As more teams adopt Agile and DevOps practices, understanding the QA role is vital. This book details how testers can provide continuous value, collaborate with developers, and integrate testing seamlessly into fast-paced development cycles. Available, here;
  • The Essential Deming by W Edwards Deming. Leadership Principles from The Father of Quality (2013) – edited by Joyce Nilsson Orsini, PhD. A more accessible version of the work of W Edwards Deming, considered one of the fathers of the quality movement. For any professional looking to go beyond the "how" of QA to the "why," Deming's work is critical. It promotes a holistic, systemic view of quality, and a mindset of continuous improvement applicable to any organisation. It is essential for those who want to lead quality initiatives and see the bigger picture. Available here;
  and
  • Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship (2008) by Robert C Martin. While not strictly a QA book, this title teaches developers and testers how to write code that is clean, readable, and easy to maintain. A key principle of modern QA is "shifting left", and finding issues earlier in the development lifecycle. For testers, understanding how to recognise and advocate for quality code from the outset is a powerful skill. It allows them to spot potential problems and work more collaboratively with developers to prevent bugs, not just find them. Available, here.

Below is a spectrum of role levels (junior → senior / leadership), with typical responsibilities.

In software or IT settings, roles such as QA tester, QA automation engineer, QA lead also exist (they tend to be focused on software quality). In manufacturing / regulated industries, roles often carry “Quality Assurance / Quality Control / Compliance” in the job spec or title.

Many sectors require quality assurance. Some major ones are:

• Manufacturing / Industrial (automotive, machinery, plastics, consumer goods);
• Food & Beverage / Agro-processing / Food Safety;
• Pharmaceuticals / Medical Devices / Biotechnology;
• Chemical / Petrochemical;
• Mining / Metals / Minerals;
• Engineering / Construction / Heavy Industry;
• Software / Information Technology / Fintech;
• Telecommunications / Call Centres (quality in service and processes);
  and
• Financial Services / Insurers (process QA, claims QA, compliance).

Indeed, many QA job listings in South Africa are in manufacturing, software, call centres, and regulatory sectors.

You’ll need a National / Further / Higher Diploma (NQF 5 or more) in quality, engineering, chemistry, food technology, industrial engineering, microbiology, biotechnology, or related technical fields, while a bachelor’s degree (BSc, BEng, BTech) in engineering, chemistry, microbiology, food science, industrial engineering, is necessary for QA engineer roles.

A postgraduate / specialisation (e.g. in quality management, regulatory affairs) is a plus but not always required. Certifications / short courses to consider include: ISO 9001 lead auditor, Six Sigma, Lean, HACCP, GMP, and GLP, depending on the industry in which you aim to be located.

A wide range of technical or hard skills are useful in a QA role. These include:

• an understanding of Quality Management Systems (QMS) (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 17025, GMP);
• auditing skills (internal, and supplier audits);
• data analysis and statistics (control charts, SPC, and capability analysis);
• root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action (CAPA);
• documentation control, change control, and versioning;
• risk management and validation (e.g. process validation, equipment validation);
• process design, and process improvement (Lean, Six Sigma);
• knowledge of regulatory frameworks (e.g. South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), and Food Safety standards); and
• software / digital skills: QA / test automation tools (for software QA roles), Excel / Minitab, ERP / QMS software.

On the soft skills side, it pays to develop your:

• attention to detail and meticulousness;
  • analytical thinking;
  • communication (written and verbal);
  • teamwork and cross‑department collaboration;
  • problem-solving under pressure;
  • integrity and ethical orientation (especially in regulated sectors);
  and your
  • organisational skills and time management abilities.

For more on soft skills for QA professionals, click here.

There are hundreds of QA & QC job listings across South Africa at any given time. Some job portals showcase as many as 200 QA roles at a time, suggesting a healthy demand –  though the level and quality of these roles tends to vary by industry and location.

Salaries depend heavily on industry, seniority, location, and company size. Approximate ranges (as of 2025) are as follows:

• Junior QA / QC Officer / Assistant: R8 000 to R15 000 / month;
• Mid-level QA / QC Officer / Analyst / Engineer: R15 000 to R30 000 / month;
• Senior QA / QC Engineer / Specialist: R25 000 to R45 000 / month;
• QA / QC Manager: R35 000 to R70 000+ / month, possibly more in large corporations;
and
• Head / Director-level: R 60 000+ / month or higher, depending on company, responsibilities.

These are rough estimates; in certain high-risk or highly regulated sectors (pharma, biotech, for example) salaries may be considerably higher.

QA salaries in South Africa are significantly lower than in many global markets, with local specialists typically earning under R500 000 annually, while international counterparts can expect wages in the tens of thousands of US dollars. Read more, here.

Major hubs include Gauteng (Johannesburg, Pretoria) – where there is a strong manufacturing, pharma, financial services sector, the Western Cape (Cape Town) – for biotech, software, manufacturing, KwaZulu-Natal – for its industrial and manufacturing zones, and the Eastern Cape / Port Elizabeth for automotive & manufacturing work. Also, remote / hybrid roles (particularly in software QA) are increasingly common.

According to Adzuna, Gauteng has the most Quality Assurance (QA) jobs in South Africa, followed by the Western Cape. Read more, here. 

A possible progression path could look as follows:

Entry / Junior Role – e.g. QA Technician / QC Assistant – >
Operational / Analyst Level – QA / QC Officer, focusing on audits, CAPA, quality metrics – >
Senior / Specialist – lead projects, validation, risk assessment – >
Manager / Lead – manage team, QMS strategy, budgets, compliance – >
Head / Director / Quality Systems Governance – oversight across divisions, align QA with business strategy.

Other paths include specialised roles (validation expert, regulatory affairs, or supplier quality management), or lateral moves into related disciplines (process engineering, continuous improvement, and/or quality consulting).

The top seven challenges you’re likely to encounter include:

• regulatory complexity – i.e. staying up to date with changing regulations, especially in pharma, food, and medical devices;
• documentation burden – i.e. QA is documentation intensive (SOPs, logs, audit reports);
• resistance to change – i.e. driving process improvement may meet inertia from other departments of your company;
• working under pressure – i.e. non-conformances, recalls, and audits can be stressful;
• resource constraints – i.e. smaller companies may have limited budgets, tools, and staff contingents;
• maintaining objectivity – i.e. ensuring QA independence, and avoiding conflicts of interest;
and
• skill obsolescence – i.e. especially in software QA, and as tools and methodologies rapidly evolve.

Here's a YouTube clip that reveals how to avoid the pitfalls of a QA career.

Based on current listings, you’ll need one to five years of experience in QA / QC or a relevant field, will need to have completed a degree or diploma in a relevant discipline, and have an awareness of quality system standards (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, GMP).

Some job ads also specify certifications (e.g. ISO lead auditor) or experience within specialised domains (food safety, pharmaceuticals); and it will help to have a solid mix of auditing / internal audit experience, analytical / problem-solving skills, software / digital tools / statistical skills, good communication and report writing, regulatory / compliance knowledge (especially in regulated industries), and the ability to work cross-functionally (with production, engineering, supply chain, and other departments).

Get foundational knowledge, by taking courses in quality management systems (ISO 9001), auditing, and statistical process control (SPC). Choose an industry aligned with your interests (e.g. software, pharma, food) because the technical depth of your work will differ according to the field.

Start in a junior or rotational role (e.g. QC lab, manufacturing, support) to get exposure, then seek mentorship i.e. work with experienced QA professionals, participate in audits, and seek out continuous improvement projects.

Additionally, be sure to obtain the necessary certifications – because lead auditor, Six Sigma, or lean can differentiate you. Stay current: technologies, standards, and regulations evolve – especially in pharma and software QA.

You should develop soft skills: Communication, persuasiveness, conflict resolution will help; and be detail-oriented but strategic – i.e. QA can get bogged in minutiae; always tie quality to business value.

Network where possible by joining professional associations  – e.g. SAQAN, Institute of Quality Assurance (IQA) –  and attending seminars, conferences; and consider diversifying your skills: e.g. add regulatory affairs, process engineering, and data analytics to your portfolio.

Yes – QA roles are in demand across a range of different industries requiring standards, compliance, and product reliability. The field offers stability, variety, and avenues to specialise. However, as with any career, your success hinges on having a growth mindset, investing in continuous learning, and aligning with industries that offer a high demand for the QA profession.

Are QA jobs only for technical / science graduates?
While many QA roles benefit from a technical background (engineering, chemistry, food science), some that are located in the service industries (call centre QA, process QA, compliance QA) allow more generalist backgrounds – especially when paired with training and certifications.

Yes, you sure can. Try a bridging strategy, i.e. obtaining quality management courses, volunteering for QA / audit tasks, obtaining experience in adjacent roles (e.g. process improvement), and positioning your skills (attention to detail, analysis, problem-solving) effectively.

There are quite a few things you can do in this regard. Start by highlighting your hands-on experience (internships, projects), and show knowledge of standards / systems (ISO, GMP). Next, emphasise your quantifiable achievements (e.g. reduced rejection rates, process improvements), and include your relevant certifications.

Most importantly, always be sure to tailor your CV to the job at hand, and include metrics, KPIs, and audit involvement in a dedicated section within your application.

Increasingly yes, especially in software / digital QA, or supporting QA roles. Many job listings already allow remote or hybrid work.

Have a look here for jobs of this nature.

Sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biotechnology often offer higher upward potential – due to their regulatory and technical complexity.

Similarly, QA in software is a decided growth path – according to the most popular job portals in South Africa, high-paying jobs typically involve test automation, senior-level roles, and specialised fields like DevOps and Data Science.

Here’s a sample five-to-10-year roadmap for someone aiming to grow in QA in South Africa.

Your timeline may differ depending on opportunities, industry, and performance.

For more on the typical goals of an ambitious QA engineer, click here.

Yes. Some examples include:

• a Quality Assurance Manager (textiles) role in Durban requiring you to maintain quality systems, and manage suppliers;
  •a Pharmaceutical QA / Regulatory Assistant role in Cape Town, where you would perform audits, and compile documentation ;
  • a Quality Assurance (Call Centre) role in Pretoria, involving an audits of calls, feedback, and compliance procedures;
  and
  • a Senior QA Engineer role in Johannesburg, requiring design of QA frameworks, use of metrics, and savvy automation application.

These real-life job examples reflect the diversity (manufacturing, pharma, services) and the mix of tasks (audit, metrics, compliance, and process improvement) that you can expect across the QA industry.

Automation and digitisation will affect the QA industry significantly, specifically as these developments impact software QA and test automation, and as continuous integration / continuous delivery (CI/CD) factors gain momentum.

Data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) usage within the field will also have a big impact, as predictive analytics is increasingly used to detect quality deviations early on in any QA process.

Sustainability and ESG-driven protocols can also not be overlooked – QA roles will need to integrate environmental, social, and governance standards into both their methods, and their systems.

And it is also likely that stricter regulation and globalisation standards will come into being, so that the need for alignment with international standards pushes QA into more sophisticated modes.

For more on the trends that will shape the future of the profession, click here.

Make use of this checklist to get you started in the profession:

• Self‑assessment: What is your educational background, and which industries interest you the most?
  • Acquire foundational knowledge: Enroll in a quality management / QA fundamentals course (ISO 9001, auditing). Here’s a look at everything you need to know about QA courses in South Africa.
  • Get a relevant qualification: Diploma, degree, or certification.
  • Gain practical experience: through internships, part-time roles, and volunteering in QA tasks.
  • Obtain certifications: ISO lead auditor, Six Sigma Green Belt.
  • Build a strong CV / portfolio: document audit work, quality projects, and metrics.
  • Network: connect with QA professionals, attend industry meetings, conferences. Look at these QA events, if you prefer to network remotely, and/or globally.
  • Apply broadly but strategically: target entry-level QA / QC roles in different industries, as these interest you or appear highly doable from the perspective of your current knowledge.
  • Be open to relocation: QA jobs may be more abundant in certain provinces / cities – if you show a keenness to relocate, when required, your career is likely to take an upwards leap.
  • Continue learning: stay continuously updated on regulation, industry tools, and quality methodologies.

Quality assurance is a multifaceted, rewarding field that blends technical rigor, continuous improvement, compliance, and cross-functional collaboration. In South Africa, QA roles are active across manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food, software, and service sectors. With the right education, experience, and mindset, you can build a robust QA career path – with opportunities to specialise, lead, or even shape corporate / regulatory quality strategies.