Quality Systems Engineer
Fresenius Medical Care · Knoxville, TN
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Quality
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Certification
- Green Belt preferred
- Industry
- Medical devices
- Posted
- 18 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level quality role at Fresenius Medical Care (medical devices) in Knoxville, TN. Drafts, reviews, and/or assists in the implementation of validation protocols, final validation reports, Quality System procedures, performance qualifications, and Engineering Change Orders (ECO).
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required · Green Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Six Sigma, Green Belt, SPC, FMEA, FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
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.
Stands out: this posting asks for Green Belt, Tooling, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with 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?
- The posting mentions a Green Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- 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.
- Supplier Quality Engineer I · 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 and applies company policies and procedures to participate in the development, review, and improvement of the facility's Quality Plan and manufacturing processes. Participates in management of product Risk Management Files. Continually updates information and coordinates information exchange with other FMCNA facilities.
- ◆Utilizes current acceptable industry/FDA
requirements
to justify, write, and implement process validation and GMP procedures. Drafts, reviews, and/or assists in the implementation of validation protocols, final validation reports, Quality System procedures, performance qualifications, and Engineering Change Orders (ECO). Maintains validation records and systems to keep ongoing process validations current and applicable to process.
- ✓Performs plant investigations into product complaints and prepares reports for review by Quality Manager prior to submittal to Corporate Quality Systems. Assists in drafting Corporate Material Review Board (MRB) request to deviate, when appropriate, from current corporate documents.
- ✓Analyzes processes, work operations, quality records, complaints, and other sources of data to identify existing and/or potential causes of failures. Where failures and potential failures are identified, investigates and assists in making recommendations necessary to correct and prevent recurrence.
- ✓Uses appropriate statistical methodology, such as CpK and trend analysis, to assist in analyzing or reviewing manufacturing, quality, and/or laboratory data for recurring problems or the detection of negative trend. Establishes reports and procedures in conjunction with Process Engineering to assure system reliability and product quality. When recurring problems and/or negative trends are identified, recommends corrective action for problem resolution.
- ✓Reviews processing procedures in new and existing programs to assure enhanced quality and productivity while remaining in compliance with FDA/cGMP/QSR. Assists the Quality Systems and Production operations with compliance to QSR requirements.
- ✓Participates in management of the plant metrology program to assure all appropriate tooling is available for inspection and test, and that all calibration activities are performed when due.
- ✓Participates as a member of the facility's Audit Team in performing internal and external audits as required.
- ✓Assists in providing in-house training (e.g., calibration, validations, batch production and operation of equipment) in conjunction with plant management to operators and other personnel, as assigned.
- ✓Participates in product design control activities for new product lines.
- ✓Conducts risk analysis (Fault Tree, FMEA, FMECA, HASAP or equivalent accepted methods) as part of design control for new and existing product lines to identify potential hazards associated with the device design under both normal and fault conditions.
- ✓Has the authority to issue a STOP NOTICE to immediately stop production when a concern regarding possible production, stocking, or shipping of discrepant assemblies or product arises.
- ✓Builds stable working relationships internally.
- ✓Normally receives specific, detailed instructions on all work.
- ✓May refer to senior staff, if applicable, for assistance with day-to-day problems that may arise.
- ✓Escalates issues to supervisor/manager for resolution, as deemed necessary.
- ✓Review and comply with the Code of Business Conduct and all applicable company policies and procedures, local, state and federal laws and regulations.
- ✓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, preferably in Engineering, Science, Chemistry, or Biology. An Associate's Degree may be considered with additional years or relevant work experience.
Experience and required skills
- ✓0 - 2 years' of combined Quality Engineering, process validation required. Pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical device manufacturing and/or laboratory (organic chemistry, analytical, and/or microbiology) experience preferred. With a Master's Degree no prior work experience may be necessary.
- ✓Knowledge of process validation (IQ, OQ, PQ), analytical instrumentation, FDA regulatory
requirements
(GLP/CMP/QSR), Risk Management / HACCP concepts, statistical process control, and statistical problem solving. Also as applicable, strong knowledge of Health Canada GMP's.
- ✓Must have good organizational skills and be able to perform work with little supervision. Position requires a mathematical aptitude with a good background in algebraic skills and statistical analysis skills. Knowledge of analytical laboratory methodologies is important.
- ✓Professional auditing certification (ASQ, CQA, RAB, or equivalent) preferred for audit responsibilities.
- ✓FMCNA IMPAQ Associate or equivalent (i.e. Six Sigma Green Belt) qualification is preferred; professional quality science certifications (i.e. ASQ, CQE, CMQ/OE) desired.
- ✓Good verbal and written communication skills to make oral presentations and
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Purpose and scope
Responsible for representing the sites quality initiatives and compliance objectives in the development of methods, procedures, validations and quality planning for the facility.
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.
- •May be required to sit and/or walk for considerable lengths of time. Bending to floor level is required.
