Home › HRMS › Job roles › Construction and Projects › QA QC Engineer
Construction and Projects · Mid level

QA QC Engineer job description

A QA QC Engineer protects the quality of construction on a site. They set up quality plans and checklists, inspect materials and workmanship, witness tests, and stop work that does not meet the drawings and specifications. They raise non-conformance reports and keep the records that prove quality to the client and auditors. A good QA QC Engineer catches defects before they are covered up, keeps tests and inspections on schedule, closes non-conformances at the root cause, and keeps the site audit ready.

DetailFor this role
DepartmentConstruction and Projects
LevelMid level
Reports toProject Head
Direct reportsNone
Experience2 to 6 years in construction quality control

QA QC Engineer job description template

Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.

Job title: QA QC Engineer

Department: Construction and Projects

Reports to: Project Head

Location: [City], [office, branch or site]

About the role

A QA QC Engineer protects the quality of construction on a site. They set up quality plans and checklists, inspect materials and workmanship, witness tests, and stop work that does not meet the drawings and specifications. They raise non-conformance reports and keep the records that prove quality to the client and auditors. A good QA QC Engineer catches defects before they are covered up, keeps tests and inspections on schedule, closes non-conformances at the root cause, and keeps the site audit ready.

Key responsibilities

  • Prepare and maintain quality plans, inspection checklists and test formats for all the project works.
  • Inspect materials on arrival and approve or reject them against the specifications and test reports.
  • Witness and record cube tests, steel tests and other quality tests as per the schedule.
  • Carry out stage inspections before pours and finishing and clear work only when it is compliant.
  • Raise non-conformance reports for defective work and track each one to closure with the site team.
  • Check that construction follows the approved drawings, specifications and method statements on site.
  • Maintain quality records, test registers and material approvals ready for client and audit review.
  • Coordinate with the client or consultant quality team on inspections, approvals and clearances.
  • Analyse recurring defects and work with the execution teams to fix the root cause.
  • Support material and concrete mix design approvals with the design and procurement teams.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree or diploma in civil engineering
  • Knowledge of construction quality standards and testing
  • A quality management certification is an advantage
  • 2 to 6 years in construction quality control

KRAs and KPIs for a QA QC Engineer

Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.

Key result areaHow to measure it
Inspection complianceStage inspections completed before work proceeds above 98 percent
Test coverageScheduled material and concrete tests carried out and recorded without gaps
NCR closureNon-conformance reports closed within the agreed days
ReworkRework from quality failures kept below the agreed level
RecordsQuality records and test registers kept audit-ready at all times
Material approvalMaterials approved against specification with zero non-compliant use

Skills and tools

Quality controlMaterial and concrete testingInspection and checklistsReading drawings and specificationsNCR managementQuality documentationRoot cause analysisAttention to detail

Tools used day to day: Concrete and material test kits, Rebound hammer and slump cone, AutoCAD, MS Excel, Inspection checklists.

Reporting line and career path

Project HeadQA QC Engineer
Moves up from: Site Engineer, Civil Engineer, Lab Technician
Next roles: QA QC Manager, Resident Engineer, Construction Manager

Interview questions for a QA QC Engineer

  1. What checks do you make before you clear a slab for concreting?
  2. How do you decide whether to accept or reject a material at site?
  3. Walk me through raising and closing a non-conformance report.
  4. Which concrete and steel tests do you witness, and how often?
  5. How do you handle pressure from the site team to pass borderline work?
  6. How do you fix a defect that keeps recurring across the site?

Managing a QA QC Engineer in ZeniaHR

Hire and manage your construction and projects team in one place

Post the role, onboard the new hire, and track attendance, leave and KRAs in ZeniaHR. Free for your first 50 employees.

Book a free demoSee pricing

Frequently asked questions

What does a QA QC Engineer do?

A QA QC Engineer protects construction quality on a site. They set up quality plans and checklists, inspect materials and workmanship, witness tests, and stop work that does not meet the drawings and specifications. They raise non-conformance reports, keep quality records for the client and auditors, and drive out recurring defects at the root cause.

What is the difference between QA and QC in construction?

Quality assurance (QA) is the system: the plans, procedures and checklists set up to prevent defects. Quality control (QC) is the checking: inspecting materials and work and running tests to confirm they meet specification. A QA QC Engineer does both, building the quality system and carrying out the inspections and tests on site.

What qualifications does a QA QC Engineer need?

A bachelor's degree or diploma in civil engineering with knowledge of construction quality standards and testing is the usual base. A quality management certification is an advantage. Employers value the ability to read drawings and specifications, run material and concrete tests, manage non-conformances, and keep rigorous, audit-ready quality records.