Alternative Career Routes in Software Quality Assurance

🔍 Test Managers are fading. Test Architects are rising. A decade ago, I found myself at a crossroads. After spending years managing people, handling operations, and even overseeing P&L, I realized something surprising: 1.      I wasn’t challenged anymore. 2.      I missed solving real engineering problems. 3.      I missed being in the tech. That’s when I made the switch from management to Test Architect. To be frank, I was sceptical at first. a)      Would I be starting over? b)      Would I enjoy hands-on work again after years in leadership? c)      Would the role even matter in the long run? Today, I can confidently say: It was one of the best decisions I’ve made. As a Test Architect, I’ve had the chance to: a)       Talk directly with enterprise customers about real-world testing challenges b)       Define quality roadmaps, not just approve them c)       Design AI-powered automation frameworks d)       Build entire custom test platforms from scratch e)       Drive innovation instead of managing status reports And here’s what I’ve learned: This role is strategic, technical, and future-facing. In a world where test manager roles are becoming redundant, Test Architects are becoming the backbone of modern Quality Engineering. You can’t fake your way through this role. It demands continuous learning, design thinking, and hands-on expertise in tools, AI, data, and DevOps. But for those willing to evolve, this role isn’t just relevant… It’s critical to the future of software quality. So, if you're feeling stuck in middle management, ask yourself: Are you managing people, or solving problems? The future needs more architects, not just managers. #SoftwareTesting #TestMetry #QualityEngineering #AIinTesting

Exploring the Diverse Roles in QA Engineering Quality Assurance (QA) isn't just about finding bugs—it's a vast field with multiple specialized roles, each contributing to the overall success of software development. Here's a breakdown of some key QA positions: 1️⃣ Manual QA Tester: Ensures software meets requirements through hands-on test case execution. 2️⃣ Automation QA Engineer: Builds and maintains test scripts to speed up and improve testing efficiency. 3️⃣ Performance Testing Engineer: Evaluates how software performs under various conditions. 4️⃣ Security Testing Engineer: Identifies vulnerabilities to ensure applications are safe from threats. 5️⃣ UAT Engineer: Works closely with end-users to validate that software meets real-world needs. 6️⃣ Mobile App QA Engineer: Focuses on testing applications for mobile devices. 7️⃣ Web QA Engineer: Ensures web applications are functional, responsive, and cross-browser compatible. 8️⃣ Data QA Engineer: Verifies the quality and accuracy of data within applications. Each role is vital, and together they create a robust testing ecosystem that drives software quality to new heights🫡

You’re a QA Engineer, and deep down… you know the writing’s on the wall….QA as we knew it is shifting. Manual & automation roles are shrinking. More is expected—AI automation, frameworks, coding fluency… more sh$it :) And yes, you could spend the next year or two learning Python, data, Aws ..Selenium, or system design… but let’s be real: It takes more than that to be seen as “senior” now. And still, you’re stuck in interviews, getting hit with unrealistic coding questions or behavioral rounds that feel like traps. You leave feeling like you’re not enough—like you have to start from scratch. But what if you didn’t? What if your QA background already gave you what you need to move forward—just not in the role you’re chasing? Because here’s the truth: Most QA Engineers already think like TPMs. You coordinate across teams. You flag risks. You manage timelines, write tickets, track launches, and keep things from falling apart. That’s not just testing. That’s delivery. That’s ownership. That’s TPM. You don’t need to go back to school. You don’t need another certificate. You need to learn how to reposition your experience—so hiring managers see you as the cross-functional leader you already are. The path to $200K+ is real. But it’s not found in more code. lol It’s in telling your story the right way—and stepping into the role you’ve already been playing. QAE -> TPM Or QAE -> data engineering with AI/ ML If you hate coding, TPM / PM is more realistic, agree?