The Rising Demand for QMS Talent in Medical Device and How to Close the Gap

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The Rising Demand for QMS Talent in Medical Device and How to Close the Gap

Quality Management Systems roles have become one of the most in-demand and least understood talent gaps in medical device. As regulations evolve, digital systems expand, and product complexity grows, companies need stronger quality teams than ever before. Yet many organizations struggle to find and retain the professionals who ensure compliance, patient safety, and operational excellence.

This post is part of our series, Building the Future Workforce of Medical Device, where we examine the trends, challenges, and workforce strategies shaping the future of Medical Device. We are taking a comprehensive look at the forces that influence how medical device companies attract, hire, develop, and retain their talent.

In our earlier posts, we explored the widespread talent shortages affecting the industry, how AI is reshaping required skills, why experience-only hiring limits growth, and how employment brand influences workforce stability. We also looked at how companies can build strong field service and sales teams in increasingly competitive markets. In this final post of the series, we turn our attention to a critical but often overlooked area: Quality Management Systems talent.

Why QMS Talent Is Becoming Harder to Find

QMS roles sit at the intersection of quality, regulatory, operations, and training. They ensure that processes are documented, standards are followed, audits are passed, and products remain safe and compliant. As supply chains globalize and digital quality systems become more complex, the responsibilities placed on QMS professionals have expanded.

At the same time, many companies underestimate how difficult it is to hire for these roles. They often require a blend of documentation expertise, process discipline, regulatory knowledge, and the ability to work across departments. Few candidates enter the market with all these capabilities, especially at the entry and mid-levels.

The Skills Needed for Modern QMS Work

Today’s QMS teams must be comfortable with regulated environments, documentation control, standard operating procedures, audit readiness, and digital quality systems. They need to understand how to interpret regulations, implement corrective actions, support training initiatives, and oversee compliance activities.

These roles include:

Quality Assurance Specialist
Quality Control Technician or Analyst
Regulatory Affairs Associate
Document Control Specialist
Compliance Analyst
Validation Engineer
QMS Coordinator or Specialist
ISO 9001 or ISO 13485 Compliance Specialist
Manufacturing Quality Associate
SOP and Training Document Specialist

These positions form the foundation of a healthy quality system, yet they are often the hardest to staff because they require both precision and cross-functional awareness.

Why Military Talent Aligns Naturally with QMS Roles

Many QMS responsibilities closely mirror the work performed in military environments. Service members operate within tightly controlled procedures, maintain detailed documentation, follow structured training programs, and adhere to strict safety and compliance standards. They understand accountability, auditing processes, and corrective actions.

This alignment makes veterans exceptionally strong candidates for QMS roles, particularly at the entry and mid-levels. With targeted onboarding and industry-specific training, they transition quickly and bring a strong sense of discipline, ownership, and process adherence.

How to Build a Strong QMS Talent Pipeline

Companies that excel in QMS hiring take a proactive and skills-first approach. They anticipate future needs, identify transferable skills, and invest in development pathways that help new hires grow into more advanced roles. They also pair strong documentation practices with mentorship and structured training programs to accelerate learning.

A high-performing QMS pipeline does not depend on finding candidates with perfect résumés. It depends on finding people with the right competencies and giving them the tools to succeed.

What Comes Next

Strengthening QMS teams is one of the most important steps medical device companies can take to prepare for evolving regulations, digital transformation, and increased scrutiny. As the industry continues to advance, building a workforce that supports both innovation and compliance will become an even greater competitive advantage.