Quality control and enhancements are frequently the focus of tester jobs for a wide range of products. Tester jobs are available in nearly every type of industry and manufacturing facility around the world, from food and phone manufacturers to explosives manufacturers. Certain testing is required in some areas for products that are consumed or have the potential to harm people. Some testing jobs, such as testing water slides and video games, may appear to be child’s play, while others, such as quality control for new medicine, may necessitate advanced educational degrees.
To create an accurate picture of quality, product testers typically select a predetermined number of products from a production run and perform a battery of tests on them repeatedly. The tests can reveal whether the products have any defects or flaws. The root of the problem can often be narrowed down to causes such as defective parts or poor workmanship by tracking when the samples were created. If the back-lighting on a test batch of telephones fails to illuminate, it may be determined that the phones were improperly soldered or that a faulty light bulb was installed.
Some tester jobs also assist in determining which products should be released into the market. Before widely launching a product, companies frequently offer it on a limited scale in specific locations. Testers frequently distribute potential new products to consumers directly and collect feedback and suggestions using data-gathering tools such as a short survey or feedback postcard.
Food and beverage testing is a common part of many tester jobs. Processed food is frequently tested to ensure that it is free of bacteria and cooked or canned at the correct temperature. Workers in tester jobs also assess taste, texture, and consistency. Certain food testing procedures are required by some government agencies.
Software, hardware, and video game testing are all examples of computer-related tester jobs. Various components of games and programs, such as the art, text, and sound, are typically tested. Testers are frequently asked to use the program or play the game in order to identify inconsistencies, errors, or components that could be improved. Changes and tweaks to the programs and games can be made based on feedback from testers.
Testers are used by a wide range of companies, including explosives manufacturers, to help perfect their products. Experiments are carried out by testers to determine the performance of explosive components when exposed to various elements such as heat and pressure. Testers are also used to evaluate games and high-end bedding.