Quality Assurance Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Quality Assurance Specialist jobs in Illinois are active and competitive, concentrated in manufacturing, food and beverage processing, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices across seniority levels from entry-level inspector through senior QA lead. The largest hiring metros are Chicago, Rockford, and the Joliet and Aurora corridor, where companies like Abbott Laboratories, Kraft Heinz, and Caterpillar have long-established Illinois operations. The most in-demand specialties in the state include regulatory compliance, process validation, and ISO and FDA quality systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 139+ Quality Assurance Specialist jobs
This position is responsible for assessing in-progress and completed work (including documentation) for compliance with internal and external regulatory policies and procedures. The successful candidate must be able to conduct rigorous enforcement of laws and standards as well as influence the workforce regarding the importance of Quality through their emotional intelligence, operating proficiency, and technical skill sets.
The Engineer/Specialist, Operations Quality Assurance is a focused discipline within a job family. The duties listed below are activities associated with the various levels of the Engineer/Specialist progression. This progression covers the following general titles:
Engineer/Spec I, Ops Quality Assurance
Engineer/Spec II, Ops Quality Assurance
Engineer/Spec Sr, Ops Quality Assurance
Please note - This position is posted as a job family and can be filled at an Engineer/Spec I, Ops Quality Assurance or Engineer/Spec II, Ops Quality Assurance depending on:
Experience and/or education
Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and ability
Complexity of programs administered, risk and responsibility, and budgetary value of managed work
Engineer/Spec I, Ops Quality Assurance
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Performs operational assessments, both “live” and “post,” to evaluate work performed by field personnel for compliance with Company policies and procedures (driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements) in one to three (or more) of the following areas:
Asset Protection [This position will primarily focus on assessing work performed by Asset Protection locators - Company and/or Contractor]
Construction Operations – Company
Construction Operations – Contractor
Corrosion
Field Operations – Distribution
Field Operations – Service
Leak Survey
Storage & Peaking
System Operations
Technical Training
Transmission
Welding
Participates in the annual audit of compliance records in advance of public service commission compliance records audits
Participates in special audits of new/revised procedures recently implemented or of newly certified employees
Interprets Company policies, procedures, and O&M manual
Serves as Company liaison during State field inspections
Performs multiple out-of-state QA audits (record and field) at other Southern Company Gas companies to evaluate Company and contractor personnel compliance with Company policies and procedures which are driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements
Participates in event-learning analysis, with oversight (i.e. self-inflicted hit reviews) for Field Operations – Delivery and Construction Operations – Company crews to determining OQ disqualification
Participates in efforts to interpret and develop responses to proposed regulatory rules changes that could affect Gas Distribution and Southern Company
Actively represents Gas Distribution and Southern Company within industry groups
Collaborates with Safety and FO Support departments to develop and implement programs and processes to minimize workplace hazards
Teaches principles to others
Participates in internal gas distribution audits, documenting findings, preparing reports, and communicating findings to management
Participates in internal process audits and helps develop necessary action plans for corrective measures
Qualifications
Education
BS in any engineering discipline or other analytical/technical discipline; or
Equivalent academic education and experience in any/all of the following:
Asset Protection, Construction Operations – Company, Construction Operations – Contractor, Corrosion, Field Operations – Distribution, Field Operations – Service, Leak Survey, Storage & Peaking, System Operations, Technical Training, Transmission, Welding
Experience
2+ years operations experience in a gas utility in three or more field operating departments, or 2+ years within QA
Knowledge
Good understanding of Company policies, procedures, and O&M manual
Ability to understand legislation and regulation
Effective trainer in formal and informal settings
Knowledge of safe work practices and procedures
Manages projects and processes, with supervision, delivering on-time results
Competency to work independently, to be a self-starter, and to take initiative
Microsoft Office Suite – Basic proficiency
Engineer/Spec II, Ops Quality Assurance
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Performs operational assessments, both “live” and “post,” to evaluate work performed by field personnel for compliance with Company policies and procedures (driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements) in three to four (or more) of the following areas:
Asset Protection [This position will primarily focus on assessing work performed by Asset Protection locators - Company and/or Contractor]
Construction Operations – Company
Construction Operations – Contractor
Corrosion
Field Operations – Distribution
Field Operations – Service
Leak Survey
Storage & Peaking
System Operations
Technical Training
Transmission
Welding
Informally oversees/supervises QA staff that conduct the QA assessments
Assists in on-boarding plans and technical knowledge plans for newly hired QAs at LDC
Collaborates on and/or co-leads the annual audit of compliance records in advance of public service commission compliance records audits
Collaborates on and/or co-leads special audits of new/revised procedures recently implemented or of newly certified employees
Serves as Subject Matter Expert (“SME”) in interpreting Company policies, procedures, and O&M Manual
Serves as Company liaison during State field inspections
Performs multiple out-of-state QA audits (record and field) at other Southern Company Gas companies to evaluate Company and contractor personnel compliance with Company policies and procedures which are driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements
Performs main hit reviews for Field Operations – Delivery and Construction Operations – Company crews to determining OQ disqualification
Engages in efforts to interpret and develop responses to proposed regulatory rules changes that could affect Gas Distribution and Southern Company
Proactively identifies latent conditions and organizational weaknesses and works with management to correct them
Performs and documents event-learning analysis with minimal oversight (i.e. self-inflicted hit reviews)
Assists in departmental budget management
Assists in complex and critical projects across multi-disciplinary and cross-functional departments
Serves as Subject Matter Expert (“SME”) to departments on matters of occupational safety, Quality Management Systems, and compliance
Qualifications
Education
BS in any engineering discipline or other analytical/technical discipline; or
Equivalent academic education and experience in any/all of the following:
Asset Protection, Construction Operations – Company, Construction Operations – Contractor, Corrosion, Field Operations – Distribution, Field Operations – Service, Leak Survey, Storage & Peaking, System Operations, Technical Training, Transmission, Welding
Experience
4+ years operations experience in a gas utility in three or more field operating departments, or 4+ years within QA
Knowledge
Thorough understanding of Company policies, procedures, and O&M manual
Ability to understand and analyze legislation and regulation
Coaches and mentors less-tenured employees
Effective trainer in formal and informal settings
Knowledge of safe work practices and procedures
Manages projects and processes, with some supervision, delivering on-time results
Competency to work independently, to be a self-starter, and to take initiative
Microsoft Office Suite – Intermediate proficiency
Specific Skills & Knowledge
Leads by example, building strong, trusting relationships with internal- and industry contacts
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors and managers
Ability to effectively communicate assessment findings
Oral and written communications are clear, concise, and timely
Ability to learn program databases, software applications, and other technology tools quickly
Strong leadership skills
Strong organizational and time-management skills
Strong presentation and team facilitation skills
Strong project management skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Business Acumen
Recommends updates/revisions to policies, procedures, or OPM-based field observations where procedures may not be followed because they are unclear, incorrect, or non-existent
Communicates leading- and lagging indicators to management
Supports achieving Quality objectives, goals, and targets
Determines Quality best practices to support the Company’s goals by consulting with Company representatives (internal peers and other key business units)
Working Conditions / Physical Requirements
Occasional traveler (5-20% travel). The incumbent will be required to travel on occasion. Trips may require air travel and/or overnight stay away from home for one or more nights
Must be able to work in the field under a variety of weather conditions
This position requires constant standing or walking
This position occasionally requires the incumbent to bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl
This position requires the ability to lift up to 10 pounds
The incumbent works in an office environment
The incumbent may/will work near or with moving mechanical parts
The incumbent may/will be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, or chemicals
The incumbent may/will be exposed to varying outdoor weather conditions
The incumbent may/will be exposed to excessive noise
Rotational On-Call Duties
Must be able to respond to urgent Quality issues when contacted
Availability to respond to assist in emergency situations when needed
Engineer/Spec II: Will be part of departmental on-call rotation for pipeline incident emergency response and liaison with regulatory authorities on a voluntary basis
Disclaimer : This information describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. The description is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required in the job; responsibilities may be changed or added without advance notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com .
Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.
This position is responsible for assessing in-progress and completed work (including documentation) for compliance with internal and external regulatory policies and procedures. The successful candidate must be able to conduct rigorous enforcement of laws and standards as well as influence the workforce regarding the importance of Quality through their emotional intelligence, operating proficiency, and technical skill sets.
The Engineer/Specialist, Operations Quality Assurance is a focused discipline within a job family. The duties listed below are activities associated with the various levels of the Engineer/Specialist progression. This progression covers the following general titles:
Engineer/Spec I, Ops Quality Assurance
Engineer/Spec II, Ops Quality Assurance
Engineer/Spec Sr, Ops Quality Assurance
Please note - This position is posted as a job family and can be filled at an Engineer/Spec I, Ops Quality Assurance or Engineer/Spec II, Ops Quality Assurance depending on:
Experience and/or education
Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and ability
Complexity of programs administered, risk and responsibility, and budgetary value of managed work
Engineer/Spec I, Ops Quality Assurance
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Performs operational assessments, both “live” and “post,” to evaluate work performed by field personnel for compliance with Company policies and procedures (driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements) in one to three (or more) of the following areas:
Asset Protection [This position will primarily focus on assessing work performed by Asset Protection locators - Company and/or Contractor]
Construction Operations – Company
Construction Operations – Contractor
Corrosion
Field Operations – Distribution
Field Operations – Service
Leak Survey
Storage & Peaking
System Operations
Technical Training
Transmission
Welding
Participates in the annual audit of compliance records in advance of public service commission compliance records audits
Participates in special audits of new/revised procedures recently implemented or of newly certified employees
Interprets Company policies, procedures, and O&M manual
Serves as Company liaison during State field inspections
Performs multiple out-of-state QA audits (record and field) at other Southern Company Gas companies to evaluate Company and contractor personnel compliance with Company policies and procedures which are driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements
Participates in event-learning analysis, with oversight (i.e. self-inflicted hit reviews) for Field Operations – Delivery and Construction Operations – Company crews to determining OQ disqualification
Participates in efforts to interpret and develop responses to proposed regulatory rules changes that could affect Gas Distribution and Southern Company
Actively represents Gas Distribution and Southern Company within industry groups
Collaborates with Safety and FO Support departments to develop and implement programs and processes to minimize workplace hazards
Teaches principles to others
Participates in internal gas distribution audits, documenting findings, preparing reports, and communicating findings to management
Participates in internal process audits and helps develop necessary action plans for corrective measures
Qualifications
Education
BS in any engineering discipline or other analytical/technical discipline; or
Equivalent academic education and experience in any/all of the following:
Asset Protection, Construction Operations – Company, Construction Operations – Contractor, Corrosion, Field Operations – Distribution, Field Operations – Service, Leak Survey, Storage & Peaking, System Operations, Technical Training, Transmission, Welding
Experience
2+ years operations experience in a gas utility in three or more field operating departments, or 2+ years within QA
Knowledge
Good understanding of Company policies, procedures, and O&M manual
Ability to understand legislation and regulation
Effective trainer in formal and informal settings
Knowledge of safe work practices and procedures
Manages projects and processes, with supervision, delivering on-time results
Competency to work independently, to be a self-starter, and to take initiative
Microsoft Office Suite – Basic proficiency
Engineer/Spec II, Ops Quality Assurance
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Performs operational assessments, both “live” and “post,” to evaluate work performed by field personnel for compliance with Company policies and procedures (driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements) in three to four (or more) of the following areas:
Asset Protection [This position will primarily focus on assessing work performed by Asset Protection locators - Company and/or Contractor]
Construction Operations – Company
Construction Operations – Contractor
Corrosion
Field Operations – Distribution
Field Operations – Service
Leak Survey
Storage & Peaking
System Operations
Technical Training
Transmission
Welding
Informally oversees/supervises QA staff that conduct the QA assessments
Assists in on-boarding plans and technical knowledge plans for newly hired QAs at LDC
Collaborates on and/or co-leads the annual audit of compliance records in advance of public service commission compliance records audits
Collaborates on and/or co-leads special audits of new/revised procedures recently implemented or of newly certified employees
Serves as Subject Matter Expert (“SME”) in interpreting Company policies, procedures, and O&M Manual
Serves as Company liaison during State field inspections
Performs multiple out-of-state QA audits (record and field) at other Southern Company Gas companies to evaluate Company and contractor personnel compliance with Company policies and procedures which are driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements
Performs main hit reviews for Field Operations – Delivery and Construction Operations – Company crews to determining OQ disqualification
Engages in efforts to interpret and develop responses to proposed regulatory rules changes that could affect Gas Distribution and Southern Company
Proactively identifies latent conditions and organizational weaknesses and works with management to correct them
Performs and documents event-learning analysis with minimal oversight (i.e. self-inflicted hit reviews)
Assists in departmental budget management
Assists in complex and critical projects across multi-disciplinary and cross-functional departments
Serves as Subject Matter Expert (“SME”) to departments on matters of occupational safety, Quality Management Systems, and compliance
Qualifications
Education
BS in any engineering discipline or other analytical/technical discipline; or
Equivalent academic education and experience in any/all of the following:
Asset Protection, Construction Operations – Company, Construction Operations – Contractor, Corrosion, Field Operations – Distribution, Field Operations – Service, Leak Survey, Storage & Peaking, System Operations, Technical Training, Transmission, Welding
Experience
4+ years operations experience in a gas utility in three or more field operating departments, or 4+ years within QA
Knowledge
Thorough understanding of Company policies, procedures, and O&M manual
Ability to understand and analyze legislation and regulation
Coaches and mentors less-tenured employees
Effective trainer in formal and informal settings
Knowledge of safe work practices and procedures
Manages projects and processes, with some supervision, delivering on-time results
Competency to work independently, to be a self-starter, and to take initiative
Microsoft Office Suite – Intermediate proficiency
Specific Skills & Knowledge
Leads by example, building strong, trusting relationships with internal- and industry contacts
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors and managers
Ability to effectively communicate assessment findings
Oral and written communications are clear, concise, and timely
Ability to learn program databases, software applications, and other technology tools quickly
Strong leadership skills
Strong organizational and time-management skills
Strong presentation and team facilitation skills
Strong project management skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Business Acumen
Recommends updates/revisions to policies, procedures, or OPM-based field observations where procedures may not be followed because they are unclear, incorrect, or non-existent
Communicates leading- and lagging indicators to management
Supports achieving Quality objectives, goals, and targets
Determines Quality best practices to support the Company’s goals by consulting with Company representatives (internal peers and other key business units)
Working Conditions / Physical Requirements
Occasional traveler (5-20% travel). The incumbent will be required to travel on occasion. Trips may require air travel and/or overnight stay away from home for one or more nights
Must be able to work in the field under a variety of weather conditions
This position requires constant standing or walking
This position occasionally requires the incumbent to bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl
This position requires the ability to lift up to 10 pounds
The incumbent works in an office environment
The incumbent may/will work near or with moving mechanical parts
The incumbent may/will be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, or chemicals
The incumbent may/will be exposed to varying outdoor weather conditions
The incumbent may/will be exposed to excessive noise
Rotational On-Call Duties
Must be able to respond to urgent Quality issues when contacted
Availability to respond to assist in emergency situations when needed
Engineer/Spec II: Will be part of departmental on-call rotation for pipeline incident emergency response and liaison with regulatory authorities on a voluntary basis
Disclaimer : This information describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. The description is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required in the job; responsibilities may be changed or added without advance notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com .
Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.
See All 139+ Quality Assurance Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsQuality Assurance Specialist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Quality Assurance Specialist 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 specialist jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as engineering, science, or life sciences
- Working knowledge of ISO 9001, FDA 21 CFR, or cGMP quality standards
- Experience using quality management software and statistical process control tools
- Familiarity with root cause analysis methods such as 8D, FMEA, or CAPA
- Strong documentation skills with attention to detail for audit and compliance work
- ASQ Certified Quality Auditor or Certified Quality Inspector credential preferred
Quality Assurance Specialist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a quality assurance specialist in Illinois?
Most quality assurance specialist roles in Illinois require at minimum an associate degree, though employers in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and food processing typically prefer a bachelor's degree in engineering, biology, chemistry, or a related field. Illinois does not issue a state license specific to QA work, but employers strongly favor candidates who hold an ASQ certification such as the Certified Quality Inspector or Certified Quality Auditor, which is recognized widely across Illinois's manufacturing and life sciences industries.
Which companies hire quality assurance specialists in Illinois?
Employers hiring quality assurance specialists in Illinois right now include OSI, Tempus, and AbbVie, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of pharmaceutical, food production, and industrial manufacturing employers means openings are distributed across the Chicago metro and major industrial corridors in the central and northern parts of the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most quality assurance specialist jobs?
Chicago, Waukegan, and Niles have the most quality assurance specialist openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest share through its dense concentration of corporate headquarters, medical device firms, and food manufacturers, while the Joliet and Aurora corridor benefits from a high density of logistics and manufacturing facilities, and Rockford draws from its long-established aerospace and industrial machinery base.
Are there remote quality assurance specialist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they are limited. About 50% of quality assurance specialist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting that much of the role involves hands-on inspection, auditing production lines, and working directly with physical products or equipment. The parts of the role most commonly done remotely are documentation review, supplier audits, and quality management system administration.
How can I get hired as a quality assurance specialist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a quality inspector or production technician role at an Illinois manufacturing or food processing facility, which often requires only a high school diploma or associate degree and provides direct exposure to QA processes. Large Illinois employers in pharmaceuticals and food production, including operations based in the Chicago metro and the Quad Cities, regularly hire for entry-level quality roles and provide on-the-job training. Earning an ASQ Certified Quality Inspector credential before applying gives candidates a meaningful advantage in competitive Illinois markets.
Where can I find and apply to quality assurance specialist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to quality assurance specialist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly through the listings.
See All 139+ Quality Assurance Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs