Table of Contents
- What Does a QA Engineer Do?
- How QA Engineers Differ from Testers and QC Engineers
- Is There Demand for QA Engineers?
- Key Responsibilities for QA Engineers
- QA Engineer Salary in Japan
- Example of a Job Description of a QA Engineer
- Essential Skills for QA Engineers
- Recommended Certifications
- Career Path Options
- Can You Become a QA Engineer with No Experience?
- Traits of a Successful QA Engineer
- What Makes QA Engineering Rewarding?
- What Makes QA Engineering Challenging?
- FAQs
Explore QA engineer positions
As cybersecurity threats continue to rise, the importance of software quality has never been greater. At the heart of this movement is the QA Engineer — the professionals ensuring software is reliable, secure, and user-friendly before release.
This article breaks down what a QA Engineer does, the skills you need, career paths, salary expectations, and how to break into the field.
What Does a QA Engineer Do?
QA stands for Quality Assurance. QA Engineers are responsible for maintaining the quality of software systems, apps, and platforms before they go live. They test for bugs, evaluate user experience, and ensure security standards are met.
Beyond finding bugs, QA Engineers think from both the developer's and user’s perspectives, identifying potential risks and offering feedback to improve the product. They also design and implement test plans — often using automation tools — to ensure efficient, accurate testing.
Their role is critical in helping companies avoid costly software failures and build trust with end users.
How QA Engineers Differ from Testers and QC Engineers
Test Engineers (or Testers) usually focus on testing during the development phase, while QA Engineers are responsible for the product’s overall quality before release.
QC Engineers (Quality Control), on the other hand, focus on maintaining quality throughout the development process and ensuring it meets documented specs. QA Engineers take a broader, user-focused approach.
Some companies may combine these roles depending on team size and resources.
Is There Demand for QA Engineers?
Absolutely. With more companies integrating software — from AI to IoT — ensuring quality is mission-critical. This makes QA Engineers a long-term necessity.
Career paths include moving into roles like QA Manager, QA Director, QA Consultant, or even transitioning to software development or product management.
Key Responsibilities for QA Engineers
Test Planning & Design: Create strategies and test cases based on project goals.
Execution & Evaluation: Run manual or automated tests, identify issues, and measure performance.
Reporting & Feedback: Share findings with developers and stakeholders to guide improvements.
QA Engineers must collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and adapt to shifting project needs.
QA Engineer Salary in Japan
See the latest Salary Guide
According to Robert Half data, QA Engineers in Japan earn between ¥5M–¥9M annually. Salaries vary based on experience, certifications, and skills. For comparison, here are average salaries for similar roles:
Job Title
| 25th percentile
| 50th percentile
| 75th percentile
|
Backend Engineer
| ¥5.3M
| ¥8.3M
| ¥12.5M
|
Blockchain Engineer
| ¥5.2M
| ¥8.2M
| ¥12.2M
|
Cloud Engineer / Architect
| ¥6.3M
| ¥8.3M
| ¥12.5M
|
CTO (Chief Technology Officer - Emerging Tech) / VP of Engineering
| ¥10M
| ¥13.5M
| ¥16.7M
|
DevOps / SRE Engineer
| ¥7.5M
| ¥9.5M
| ¥12.5M
|
Engineering Manager
| ¥9.5M
| ¥12.5M
| ¥14.5M
|
Frontend Engineer
| ¥6.5M
| ¥8.5M
| ¥10.5M
|
Full Stack Engineer
| ¥6.5M
| ¥8.5M
| ¥10.5M
|
Machine Learning / NLP / AI Engineer
| ¥6.5M
| ¥10.5M
| ¥13.5M
|
Product Manager / Software Architect
| ¥7.5M
| ¥9.5M
| ¥13.5M
|
Solution Engineer
| ¥8M
| ¥11M
| ¥14M
|
IT / UX Designer
| ¥5.5M
| ¥7.5M
| ¥9.5M
|
Job Title
| QA Tester
|
Salary
| ¥7M - 9M
|
Job description
| - Develop and maintain comprehensive test plans and test cases for data analytics platforms
- Execute rigorous tests across data pipelines, algorithms, models, and visualizations to ensure accuracy and reliability
- Identify, document, and prioritize defects, collaborating with development teams for swift resolution
- Work closely with data analysts and developers to understand requirements and validate data transformations and calculations
- Conduct cross-system data validation to ensure consistency and accuracy across platforms
- Leverage automation tools and scripts to enhance testing efficiency and coverage
- Track and report testing progress, including test coverage, defect status, and release readiness metrics
- Participate in Agile/Scrum meetings and contribute insights into testing strategy, timelines, and resource planning
- Stay current with industry best practices, emerging technologies, and trends in QA and data analytics
|
Requirements
| - Minimum of 3 years experience in a QA or equivalent role
- Proficiency in writing and executing SQL queries
- Hands-on experience with BI tools and data visualization
- Strong track record in both manual and automated testing
- Familiarity with big data concepts and tools
- Ability to design and implement detailed test cases
- Working knowledge of Python; experience with R is a plus
- Experience using Selenium or similar testing tools
- Experience testing healthcare or wellness-related applications is a plus
|
Essential Skills for QA Engineers
Programming: Python, Java, and JavaScript are valuable for writing automated tests and debugging.
Testing Techniques: Knowledge of black-box, white-box, and experience-based testing is essential.
Software Development Know-How: Understanding dev processes helps identify root causes and improve product quality.
Communication: Reporting results and collaborating with various teams is a huge part of the job.
Recommended Certifications
No certification is strictly required, but the following are highly beneficial:
Fundamental IT Engineer (FE)
JSTQB Certified Tester
Software Quality Engineer Certification
QC Kentei (Quality Control Exam)
IVEC (IT Verification Engineer Certification)
Career Path Options
QA Engineering opens the door to many career tracks:
Test Analyst: Specializes in test analysis and evaluation.
Senior QA Engineer: Leads test design and mentors junior engineers.
QA Manager: Oversees teams and manages project timelines.
QA Consultant: Works directly with clients to advise on quality strategies.
Freelancer: Supports companies as an independent QA expert.
Can You Become a QA Engineer with No Experience?
Yes, but you’ll need to upskill first. Here’s how:
Learn Online or Attend a Bootcamp: Start with programming basics and QA fundamentals.
Get Certified: Prove your expertise with entry-level certifications.
Apply for Entry-Level Roles: Some positions don’t require experience and can serve as stepping stones.
Transfer from Other IT Roles: Experience in dev or system engineering can ease the transition.
Traits of a Successful QA Engineer
Attention to detail
Logical and analytical thinking
Curiosity and eagerness to learn
Empathy and a user-first mindset
What Makes QA Engineering Rewarding?
Being a QA Engineer means you're on the frontlines of delivering value to users. By identifying issues before they happen, you play a direct role in making software safe, seamless, and enjoyable to use.
There’s also the thrill of solving problems — like cracking a complex bug or improving an inefficient process. Many QA professionals describe it as solving puzzles with real-world impact. Plus, watching your suggestions shape a product is incredibly satisfying.
What Makes QA Engineering Challenging?
QA Engineering isn’t just about running tests — it’s about owning the responsibility of catching issues before users do. That comes with pressure.
Repetition can be draining, especially during manual testing or regression cycles.
Tight deadlines and last-minute changes can pile on stress.
Mistakes have real consequences — a missed bug could lead to user frustration, data loss, or reputational damage.
On top of that, QA Engineers often juggle communication between developers, designers, and stakeholders — which means strong soft skills are just as important as technical ones.
That said, many QA Engineers find these challenges fulfilling. The key is leveraging tools like automation, staying adaptable, and embracing continuous learning. When done well, QA isn’t just about “checking for bugs” — it’s about elevating the entire product.
FAQs
What does a QA Engineer actually do day to day?
A QA Engineer designs and executes test plans to ensure software runs smoothly and meets quality standards. This includes writing test cases, running manual or automated tests, identifying bugs, reporting issues to developers, and collaborating across teams to improve the product.
Is QA the same as software testing?
Not quite. Software testing is a part of QA, but QA (Quality Assurance) covers the broader process of ensuring quality throughout the development cycle — from planning and risk management to feedback and process improvement.
Do I need to know how to code to be a QA Engineer?
It depends on the role. Manual testing roles may not require coding, but knowledge of programming languages like Python, Java, or JavaScript is often expected for automation testing and more technical QA positions.
Can I become a QA Engineer with no experience?
Yes, many people enter QA from non-tech backgrounds or other IT roles. You can start by learning testing basics, studying programming, and getting entry-level certifications like JSTQB Foundation Level. Applying for junior roles or internships is a great first step.
Will AI replace QA Engineers?
Automation will change how QA Engineers work, but it won’t replace the role. Human insight, empathy, and the ability to think from a user’s perspective are critical — and that’s something machines can’t replicate (yet!).
Ready to Start Your Career as a QA Engineer?
Submit your resume
At Robert Half, we help professionals like you find exciting roles at global companies. Whether you're just starting or aiming to take your QA career to the next level, submit your resume today and get expert support.
