This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by S Chathuranga Jayasinghe
Let's be honest - when someone says, "I work as a QA," what's the first thing that comes to most people's minds?
"Oh, so you click buttons and check if things work?"
"Ah, testing? That's just inputting some values and seeing if the output is correct, right?"
It's frustrating, isn't it??? :(
This perception has haunted the QA profession for years, and honestly, it needs to stop. A Quality Engineer (QE) is far from a button-clicker. In fact, a QE is one of the most critical roles in modern software development.
Why "QA" Feels Like an Underrated Title
The term "QA" (Quality Assurance) often gives people the impression that it's just about checking whether something works or not. A typical Tester (which is how most people see QA) is expected to:
- Follow test cases
- Find bugs
- Report issues
And that's it? Nope. That's barely scratching the surface!!! What people don't realize is that Quality Engineers (QEs) are responsible for building an entire ecosystem of quality.
What a Quality Engineer Actually Does
If you think a QE just tests the product, let's break that myth right now! ❤
A QE Doesn't Just Find Bugs => They Prevent Them
A traditional tester usually gets involved at the end of development - after the feature is built. But a QE shifts left, working with developers right from the design phase to prevent defects before they even happen.
- Requirement Analysis: A QE collaborates with developers, product managers, and designers to identify risks and missing edge cases before a single line of code is written.
- Code Reviews & Pair Programming: QEs often review pull requests, ensuring the code is testable and meets quality standards.
A great QE doesn't wait for bugs. They help prevent them.
A QE Thinks Outside the Box
Testing isn't just about happy paths. It's about:
- Finding edge cases that no one thought about
- Ensuring security vulnerabilities don't exist
- Making sure accessibility is prioritized
- Validating performance under real-world conditions
It's not just "click and check" - it's about thinking like a hacker, a power user, and a frustrated customer - all at the same time.
A QE is a Developer Too (Yes, We Code!)
Gone are the days where testing was only manual. Today, a QE is a developer who writes test automation scripts, builds CI/CD pipelines, and integrates quality checks into the DevOps workflow.
💡 A tester might find a bug. A QE writes automated tests to make sure it never happens again.
A QE is a Bridge Between Teams
Ever seen a developer say, "It works on my machine"? A QE ensures it works everywhere. A Quality Engineer doesn't just work in isolation. They collaborate with:
- Developers - To make sure the code is testable and maintainable
- Product Owners - To ensure all edge cases are considered
- DevOps Engineers - To build robust test pipelines
- Stakeholders - To align quality efforts with business goals
They connect all dots to build not just a working product, but a high-quality product!
Why "Quality Engineer" Over "QA" or "Tester"?
The title matters because it defines the scope of work:
QA (Quality Assurance) sounds like it's only about verifying if things work.
Tester makes it sound like we only execute test cases.
Quality Engineer (QE) reflects what we truly do - we engineer quality.
We're not just testing. We're:
- Writing test automation frameworks
- Building CI/CD integrations
- Designing performance, security, and accessibility tests
- Ensuring production stability through monitoring and alerting
- Driving a quality-first mindset across teams
That's why calling it Quality Engineering (not just "QA") makes a difference!
The Value of a Quality Engineer
Companies that truly understand the role of a QE:
✔ Ship better products faster (because automated testing and CI/CD speed up releases)
✔ Reduce production incidents (because QEs help prevent defects early)
✔ Enhance customer trust (because quality is built-in, not just tested at the end)
A great Quality Engineer is not a cost to the company - they are a value multiplier.
Final Thoughts
If you're a QE, be proud of what you do. If someone asks, "So you just test stuff?", correct them: 👉 "No, I engineer quality into the product."
Quality Engineering is a critical, technical, and highly skilled profession - and it's time the industry recognizes that.
Now, let's change the narrative!!!
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by S Chathuranga Jayasinghe
S Chathuranga Jayasinghe | Sciencx (2025-03-02T22:41:56+00:00) Breaking the Misconception: A Quality Engineer Is Not Just “Clicking Buttons”. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/03/02/breaking-the-misconception-a-quality-engineer-is-not-just-clicking-buttons/
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