Quality Control Analysts

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-4099
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Calibrate, validate, or maintain laboratory equipment.
• Ensure that lab cleanliness and safety standards are maintained.
• Conduct routine and non-routine analyses of in-process materials, raw materials, environmental samples, finished goods, or stability samples.
• Interpret test results, compare them to established specifications and control limits, and make recommendations on appropriateness of data for release.
• Perform visual inspections of finished products.
• Complete documentation needed to support testing procedures, including data capture forms, equipment logbooks, or inventory forms.
• Compile laboratory test data and perform appropriate analyses.
• Identify and troubleshoot equipment problems.
• Write technical reports or documentation, such as deviation reports, testing protocols, and trend analyses.
• Investigate or report questionable test results.
• Monitor testing procedures to ensure that all tests are performed according to established item specifications, standard test methods, or protocols.
• Identify quality problems and recommend solutions.

Tools and technology

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

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Quality Control Systems Managers
• Validation Engineers
• Industrial Engineers
• Chemical Technicians
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians
• Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Food Science Technicians
• Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Quality Control Analysts — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.