Supplier Quality Engineer I
Fresenius Medical Care · Knoxville, TN
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Quality
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Medical devices
- Posted
- 8 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level quality role at Fresenius Medical Care (medical devices) in Knoxville, TN.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, SPC, Supplier quality
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in Tennessee: typical posted base $80k–$120k.
Median of the low and high ends of 8 live postings that list pay, out of 26 quality engineer openings in Tennessee, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Tennessee plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 25 other live quality postings in Tennessee.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $80k–$120k, from 8 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 50%
- Lean 35%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 35%
- ✓ Supplier quality 31%
- ✓ Team leadership 31%
- ✓ SPC 27%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Fresenius Medical Care
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Fresenius Medical Care in Knoxville
2 other open roles at this site.
- Quality Systems Engineer · Quality
- Sr. Automation Engineer · Controls · Senior
Full description from Fresenius Medical CareAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Under close supervision, utilizes established procedures to perform routine assigned tasks to interface directly with suppliers to follow up on the quality and performance issues, manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests.
- ◆Performs on-site and remote supplier quality audits for new suppliers; participates in supplier approval process.
- ◆Documents and follows up on audit results and required actions to be addressed by the supplier.
- ◆Tracks, analyzes, and reports in supplier performance metrics to stakeholders within quality, logistics, and manufacturing management using the appropriate software tools.
- ◆Performs problem analysis, process, and machine capability studies as required, and for determining and proposing statistical process controls for appropriate supplier’s processes.
- ◆Learns to use professional concepts. Applies company policies and procedures to resolve routine issues.
- ◆Works on problems of limited scope. Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained.
- ◆Builds stable working relationships internally.
- ◆Normally receives specific, detailed instructions on all work.
- ◆Reviews and complies with the Code of Business Conduct and all applicable company policies and procedures, local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
- ◆May refer to higher level staff, if applicable, for assistance with day-to-day problems that may arise.
- ◆Escalates issues to supervisor/manager for resolution, as deemed necessary.
- ◆Assist with various projects as assigned by direct supervisor.
- ◆Other duties as assigned.
Additional
responsibilities
may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.
Education
- ✓Bachelor’s Degree required.
Experience and required skills
- ✓Minimum 0 – 2 years of related experience; or an advanced degree without experience.
- ✓Experience using quality tools.
- ✓Problem solving ability, strong analytical skills and diplomacy required.
- ✓Must possess good computer skills.
- ✓Strong oral and written communication skills.
Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
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Purpose and scope
Responsible for the End-to-End quality and sustainability with allocated supply base, validate, and release components, as well as support the definition and implementation of supplier quality functional excellence initiatives. Ensures the company receives top quality product and service at all times and will investigate, root cause, and make recommendations on how to proceed with suppliers who do not meet that requirement.
Physical demands and working conditions
- •The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- •Up to 30% travel as required.