Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in Illinois
Quality Assurance Lead jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in manufacturing, food and beverage production, pharmaceutical operations, and enterprise software development across seniority levels from entry-level QA coordinator through senior lead and program manager. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford anchor most of the hiring, supported by major employers including Abbott Laboratories, Caterpillar, and Kraft Heinz, all of which maintain large Illinois operations and hire quality assurance leads on a recurring basis. The most in-demand specialties are regulatory compliance and validation, software QA and test automation, and production quality systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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As an employee-owned company, DMA prioritizes employees. Low turnover rates and tenured teams are living proof:
- 2026 Great Places to Work Certified
- Employee stock ownership program eligibility begins on day one of employment (ESOP contribution is targeted at 6% of your annual compensation)
- Company paid parental leave
- Generous time off package
- Multiple benefit plans, eligibility begins on day one of employment
- Culturally focused on work/life balance, and the overall wellness of our employees
Position Summary
The QA Intern will support the Quality Assurance team in testing software applications and technology solutions. This role provides hands-on experience with software quality processes, test execution, defect tracking, and Agile software development practices. The intern will work closely with QA Engineers, Developers, and Business Analysts to help ensure software products meet quality standards and business requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Assist in creating, executing, and maintaining test cases and test data for software applications.
Perform manual testing of web-based and internal business applications.
Document and report software defects, issues, and test results using designated tracking tools (e.g., Jira).
Participate in Functional, User Acceptance (UAT), and Regression testing activities.
Support QA team members in validating bug fixes and software enhancements.
Assist in reviewing business requirements and functional specifications to understand testing needs.
Participate in Agile ceremonies, including sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives.
Help maintain testing documentation and ensure testing activities are properly recorded.
Learn and apply software quality assurance methodologies, standards, and best practices.
Collaborate with developers and project teams to help identify and resolve software issues.
Contribute ideas for process improvements and testing efficiencies.
Perform other duties as assigned
Education and Qualifications
Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
Basic understanding of software development and testing concepts.
Familiarity with web applications, databases, or programming concepts is preferred.
Exposure to Agile methodologies is a plus.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Eagerness to learn new technologies and software testing techniques.
Physical Requirements
Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
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The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to its applicants and employees. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other category covered by applicable federal, state, or local law. This equal employment opportunity policy applies to all employment policies, procedures, and practices, including but not limited to hiring, promotion, compensation, training, benefits, work assignments, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
It is DMA's policy to make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and either need assistance applying online or need to request an accommodation during any part of the application process, please contact our Human Resources team at HRDepartment@dmainc.com or 800-309-2110 and choosing selection 6.
See All 150+ Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Quality Assurance Lead JobsQuality Assurance Lead Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Quality Assurance Lead Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Retail
- Education
- Insurance
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in quality assurance lead jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, life sciences, computer science, or a related technical field
- Three or more years of QA experience with demonstrated leadership over testing or inspection teams
- Proficiency with quality management systems such as ISO 9001, cGMP, or IATF 16949
- Experience writing and executing test plans, SOPs, or validation protocols
- Familiarity with defect tracking and project management tools such as Jira or Azure DevOps
- Strong cross-functional communication skills for collaborating with engineering, operations, and regulatory teams
Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a quality assurance lead in Illinois?
Most quality assurance lead roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in engineering, life sciences, or a technical field alongside several years of hands-on QA experience. Illinois does not issue a state license specific to quality assurance leads, but regulated industries add their own credentialing requirements: pharmaceutical and medical device employers expect familiarity with FDA quality system regulations, while manufacturing employers often value ASQ certifications such as the Certified Quality Engineer or Certified Quality Auditor, which are recognized across Illinois hiring markets.
How much do quality assurance leads make in Illinois?
Quality assurance leads in Illinois earn a median of about $104,910 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $65,480 for the lowest 10% to over $150,620 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire quality assurance leads in Illinois?
Employers hiring quality assurance leads in Illinois right now include OSI, Tempus, and DuCharme, McMillen & Associates, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's deep base of pharmaceutical, food manufacturing, and enterprise technology companies means openings appear year-round rather than in seasonal bursts.
Which Illinois cities have the most quality assurance lead jobs?
Chicago, Waukegan, and Niles have the most quality assurance lead openings in Illinois. Chicago and its suburbs drive the largest share through headquarters and regional offices in pharma, medtech, and software, while Peoria's industrial base anchors demand in heavy equipment and manufacturing quality, and Rockford's aerospace and precision machining sector supports ongoing QA hiring.
Are there remote quality assurance lead jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and they are more common than in many technical roles, particularly in software QA and test automation. About 45% of quality assurance lead openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the shift toward distributed development teams. The work most likely to stay fully on-site involves physical inspection, production line oversight, or regulated lab validation where hands-on presence is required.
How can I get hired as a quality assurance lead in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic starting point is a QA analyst, QA tester, or quality inspector role at a mid-size Illinois manufacturer or software firm, then building toward a lead title from within. Large Illinois employers in pharma and food production, including Abbott and Kraft Heinz facilities, run associate quality programs and rotational operations tracks that bring in candidates without prior lead experience. Earning an entry-level ASQ credential such as the Certified Quality Technician strengthens applications considerably, as does building a portfolio of documented test cases or process audits from internships or academic projects.
Where can I find and apply to quality assurance lead jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to quality assurance lead jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across manufacturing, technology, pharma, and food production. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 150+ Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in Illinois
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