Quality Assurance Manager Job Description Template (Free, 2026)

Job Title: Quality Assurance Manager Department: Operations / Quality Location: [City, State] / Hybrid Reports To: VP of Operations or Director of Engineering Employment Type: Full-Time About [Company Name] [Company Name] is a [industry] company committed to delivering products and services that exceed customer expectations. We operate in a fast-paced environment where quality is a first-class priority at every stage of development and delivery. Our team values rigor, collaboration, and continuous improvement. About the Role We are seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead our QA function and ensure our products consistently meet the highest standards. You will build scalable quality processes, mentor a team of QA engineers, and act as a cross-functional partner to product, engineering, and operations leaders. This is a high-impact role for someone who combines strategic thinking with deep technical knowledge of quality systems. Key Responsibilities - Define and own the end-to-end quality assurance strategy, including test planning, execution, and reporting across all product lines - Lead, coach, and grow a team of QA engineers and analysts, setting clear goals and conducting regular performance reviews - Establish and maintain quality metrics (defect density, test coverage, escape rate) and report findings to senior leadership - Design and implement manual and automated testing frameworks that support rapid release cycles without sacrificing quality - Collaborate with product managers and engineers to embed quality practices early in the development lifecycle (shift-left testing) - Drive root cause analysis for critical defects and production incidents, coordinating corrective and preventive actions - Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements (ISO 9001, FDA, CE, or equivalent as applicable) - Manage QA tooling selection and vendor relationships, including test management and defect tracking platforms - Create and maintain comprehensive test documentation including test plans, test cases, and traceability matrices - Partner with customer support and field teams to capture real-world quality feedback and incorporate it into improvement cycles Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline - 5+ years of QA or quality management experience, including at least 2 years in a people management role - Demonstrated experience building or scaling QA processes in a software, hardware, or manufacturing environment - Proficiency with test management tools (Jira, TestRail, Zephyr, or equivalent) - Solid understanding of software development lifecycles (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall) and where QA fits in each - Experience designing or overseeing automated test suites using tools such as Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, or similar - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven quality decisions Nice to Have - Professional certification such as CQM (Certified Quality Manager), CQPA, or ISTQB Advanced Level - Experience in a regulated industry (medical devices, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, or financial services) - Familiarity with performance, security, and load testing methodologies - Background in lean manufacturing or Six Sigma quality improvement frameworks What We Offer - Competitive salary: $75,000 to $130,000 per year, based on experience and location - Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with employer contribution - 401(k) plan with company match - Flexible work arrangements including hybrid scheduling - Professional development budget for certifications and conferences - Paid time off plus company-wide holiday schedule