Occupation

Quality Control Analysts

Human Advantage 68%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
4.1 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.

Also Known As: Chemistry Quality Control Analyst (Chemistry QC Analyst), Chemistry Quality Control Technician (Chemistry QC Technician), Data Quality Analyst, IT Quality Control Analyst (Information Technology Quality Control Analyst), Lab Analyst, Lab Technician (Lab Tech), Laboratory Analyst, Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech) +32 more

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Core Tasks

  1. Conduct routine and non-routine analyses of in-process materials, raw materials, environmental samples, finished goods, or stability samples.
  2. Interpret test results, compare them to established specifications and control limits, and make recommendations on appropriateness of data for release.
  3. Calibrate, validate, or maintain laboratory equipment.
  4. Ensure that lab cleanliness and safety standards are maintained.
  5. Perform visual inspections of finished products.
  6. Complete documentation needed to support testing procedures, including data capture forms, equipment logbooks, or inventory forms.
  7. Compile laboratory test data and perform appropriate analyses.
  8. Identify and troubleshoot equipment problems.
  9. Write technical reports or documentation, such as deviation reports, testing protocols, and trend analyses.
  10. Investigate or report questionable test results.
  11. Monitor testing procedures to ensure that all tests are performed according to established item specifications, standard test methods, or protocols.
  12. Identify quality problems and recommend solutions.
  13. Participate in out-of-specification and failure investigations and recommend corrective actions.
  14. Receive and inspect raw materials.
  15. Train other analysts to perform laboratory procedures and assays.
  16. Supply quality control data necessary for regulatory submissions.
  17. Serve as a technical liaison between quality control and other departments, vendors, or contractors.
  18. Write or revise standard quality control operating procedures.
  19. Participate in internal assessments and audits as required.
  20. Perform validations or transfers of analytical methods in accordance with applicable policies or guidelines.
  21. Evaluate analytical methods and procedures to determine how they might be improved.

Supplemental Tasks (5)

  1. Prepare or review required method transfer documentation including technical transfer protocols or reports.
  2. Review data from contract laboratories to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.
  3. Develop and qualify new testing methods.
  4. Coordinate testing with contract laboratories and vendors.
  5. Evaluate new technologies and methods to make recommendations regarding their use.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
38%
Bachelor's Degree
28%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
10%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
10%
Some College Courses
9%
Less than a High School Diploma
6%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Atlassian JIRA
  • C
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Microsoft ASP.NET
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software
  • Selenium
  • Structured query language SQL
  • The MathWorks MATLAB

Software (51)

  • Borland SilkTest
  • Code profilers
  • Database software
  • Eko
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Hewlett Packard LoadRunner
  • Hewlett Packard QuickTest Professional
  • IBM Notes
  • IBM Rational Functional Tester
  • IBM Rational Robot
  • LabWare LIMS
  • Laboratory information management system LIMS
  • Micro Focus TestPartner
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS)
  • Microsoft Visual Studio Test Professional
  • Minitab
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • Parasoft SOAtest
  • Relational database management software
  • SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
  • SmartBear Software AutomatedQA TestComplete
  • SmugMug Flickr
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Test automation software
  • Watir
  • Word processing software
  • dBASE

Tools & Equipment (43)

  • Absorbance spectrophotometers
  • Adhesion testers
  • Autosamplers
  • Bolt tension meters
  • Coating thickness gauges
  • Copy machines
  • Dew point meters
  • Durometers
  • Dynamometers
  • Flowmeters
  • Fluorescence spectrophotometers
  • Force gauges
  • Gas chromatographs
  • Gel casters
  • Gel electrophoresis systems
  • High performance liquid chromatography systems
  • Imaging systems
  • Incubators
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Levelmeters
  • Mass spectrometers
  • Microfilm systems
  • Micrometers
  • Personal computers
  • Replica Tape
  • Sonic testers
  • Sonicators
  • Spark Testers
  • Stroboscopes
  • Surface profile gauges
  • Tachometers
  • Tension meters
  • Textile moisture meters
  • Thermal cyclers
  • Torque testers
  • Torque wrenches
  • Total organic carbon TOC analyzers
  • Ultrasonic flaw detectors
  • Ultrasonic thickness gauges
  • Ultraviolet spectroscopes
  • Vibration meters
  • Wastewater samplers
  • pH meters

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Safety & Quality Assurance Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
Quality Control Analysts You are here

Production & Automation Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
Quality Control Analysts You are here
Zone 5

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