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 105+ Quality Assurance Specialist jobs
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Senior Specialist Quality Assurance
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution
Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
At Molecular Diagnostics, we realize the potential of personalized care as the laboratory’s most trusted and preferred source for molecular diagnostic solutions. We are a division of Abbott Laboratories, a global, diversified healthcare innovator with a legacy of pioneering work in medical diagnostics.
The Senior Specialist, Quality Assurance role is part of our Molecular Diagnostics Business Unit and is based at either our Des Plaines, IL or Lake Forest, IL location.
This role will conduct quality-related activities in the area of Complaint Handling to deliver consistent, high-quality documents, services, products, and processes that add value to the business. The primary function of the Quality Specialist is to assist in maintaining the quality system.
What You’ll Work On
- Complaints Coordination, Postproduction Risk, CAPA, Surveillance and Maintenance, Field Actions, Metrics, etc.
- Assist with other support duties as assigned.
- Participate in the Corrective Action/Preventive Action (CAPA) process, including the investigation of failures or deviations as required.
- Maintain product complaint logs to identify and report recurring issues to Quality Assurance Management and Product Development. Collaborate with other internal groups to respond to product inquiries and issues.
- Write and revise SOPs, controlled forms, and related documents to ensure best practices and alignment with current operations.
- Collaborate with members of the Quality Assurance team working on special projects.
- Participate on permanent and temporary teams that are process- or project-driven.
- Become familiar with and serve as a subject matter expert on electronic support systems, including TraqWise, CMSNext, SmartSolve, SAP, and related platforms.
- Collect, analyze, and publish quality metrics.
- Assist in the preparation of distribution reports as needed for product information letters and field actions.
- Support the drafting of field action letters and other field action-related documentation.
- Reconcile and maintain field action files, ensuring all documentation is complete and appropriately filed in accordance with corporate/division standards to facilitate easy retrieval for audit support.
- Prepare 806 monthly status reports in support of 21 CFR Part 806 field action requirements.
- Track recall activities through closure and prepare final closure documentation for each field action file.
- Support audit readiness activities for internal (site, division, and corporate) and external (FDA, ISO, BSI, TUV, etc.) audits.
- Handle data requests from other departments pertaining to risk or field action data.
- Serve as a team member and/or leader on projects focused on continuous process improvement.
- May own CAPA activities for department CAPAs.
- Facilitate the post-production risk process in cases involving distributed nonconforming product and may support drafting post-production risk records.
Required Qualifications
- Apprenticeship or Bachelor’s degree in Life Science; Engineering; or closely related discipline is required OR relevant combination of education or experience.
- At least 3 years work experience in Quality or related field experience; Less experience may be appropriate with advanced degree.
- Direct experience in a Quality or Regulatory Affairs role in a GMP related industry
- Demonstrates understanding of how their function supports the business.
- Demonstrates technical and business competencies that drive results and continuous improvement.
- Candidate should be flexible, have strong problem-solving skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and be able to lead cross functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with post-market quality
- Experience participating in or supporting both internal and external audits
- Working knowledge of ISO 13485 (QMS), 21 CFR, IVDR 2017/746, MDR 2017/745, and other international regulations
- Experience with medical devices containing software
- Experience working with software management systems, such as ERP systems
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Must have the ability to support business needs across different time zones, as needed
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong organizational and prioritization skills
Apply Now
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott, and on Twitter @AbbottNews.
The base pay for this position is $78,000.00 – $156,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Senior Specialist Quality Assurance
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution
Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
At Molecular Diagnostics, we realize the potential of personalized care as the laboratory’s most trusted and preferred source for molecular diagnostic solutions. We are a division of Abbott Laboratories, a global, diversified healthcare innovator with a legacy of pioneering work in medical diagnostics.
The Senior Specialist, Quality Assurance role is part of our Molecular Diagnostics Business Unit and is based at either our Des Plaines, IL or Lake Forest, IL location.
This role will conduct quality-related activities in the area of Complaint Handling to deliver consistent, high-quality documents, services, products, and processes that add value to the business. The primary function of the Quality Specialist is to assist in maintaining the quality system.
What You’ll Work On
- Complaints Coordination, Postproduction Risk, CAPA, Surveillance and Maintenance, Field Actions, Metrics, etc.
- Assist with other support duties as assigned.
- Participate in the Corrective Action/Preventive Action (CAPA) process, including the investigation of failures or deviations as required.
- Maintain product complaint logs to identify and report recurring issues to Quality Assurance Management and Product Development. Collaborate with other internal groups to respond to product inquiries and issues.
- Write and revise SOPs, controlled forms, and related documents to ensure best practices and alignment with current operations.
- Collaborate with members of the Quality Assurance team working on special projects.
- Participate on permanent and temporary teams that are process- or project-driven.
- Become familiar with and serve as a subject matter expert on electronic support systems, including TraqWise, CMSNext, SmartSolve, SAP, and related platforms.
- Collect, analyze, and publish quality metrics.
- Assist in the preparation of distribution reports as needed for product information letters and field actions.
- Support the drafting of field action letters and other field action-related documentation.
- Reconcile and maintain field action files, ensuring all documentation is complete and appropriately filed in accordance with corporate/division standards to facilitate easy retrieval for audit support.
- Prepare 806 monthly status reports in support of 21 CFR Part 806 field action requirements.
- Track recall activities through closure and prepare final closure documentation for each field action file.
- Support audit readiness activities for internal (site, division, and corporate) and external (FDA, ISO, BSI, TUV, etc.) audits.
- Handle data requests from other departments pertaining to risk or field action data.
- Serve as a team member and/or leader on projects focused on continuous process improvement.
- May own CAPA activities for department CAPAs.
- Facilitate the post-production risk process in cases involving distributed nonconforming product and may support drafting post-production risk records.
Required Qualifications
- Apprenticeship or Bachelor’s degree in Life Science; Engineering; or closely related discipline is required OR relevant combination of education or experience.
- At least 3 years work experience in Quality or related field experience; Less experience may be appropriate with advanced degree.
- Direct experience in a Quality or Regulatory Affairs role in a GMP related industry
- Demonstrates understanding of how their function supports the business.
- Demonstrates technical and business competencies that drive results and continuous improvement.
- Candidate should be flexible, have strong problem-solving skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and be able to lead cross functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with post-market quality
- Experience participating in or supporting both internal and external audits
- Working knowledge of ISO 13485 (QMS), 21 CFR, IVDR 2017/746, MDR 2017/745, and other international regulations
- Experience with medical devices containing software
- Experience working with software management systems, such as ERP systems
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Must have the ability to support business needs across different time zones, as needed
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong organizational and prioritization skills
Apply Now
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott, and on Twitter @AbbottNews.
The base pay for this position is $78,000.00 – $156,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
See All 105+ 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
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Food & Beverage
- Manufacturing
- Electronics & Hardware
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
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 GEI Consultants, AbbVie, and Georgia Nut Company, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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, Niles, and Waukegan 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 23% of quality assurance specialist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 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 105+ Quality Assurance Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs