Quality Assurance Engineer

Krones Process Group North America LLC; Franklin (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Krones Inc. in Franklin, Wisconsin, seeks a Quality Assurance Engineer to oversee turnkey sanitary process systems, ensuring compliance with regulatory and customer requirements across design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning.

You will drive QA documentation, ITPs, FAT/SAT testing, supplier quality, and CAPA, contributing to continuous improvement and audit-ready records for a diverse beverage, food, and chemical industry.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• International Welding Engineer certification preferred.
• 3–8+ years QA/QC in sanitary process systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop inspection test plans (ITPs) and test reports.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and customer standards.
• Coordinate design qualification and acceptance testing with customers.
• Review turnover packages and maintain audit-ready docs.

Skills

Attention to detail

Documentation accuracy

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving mindset

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Chemical or related field)

International Welding Engineer (preferred)

Tools

TIG Welding

Welding inspection

P&IDs and isometrics

3D models

QA documentation practices

Job description

Quality Assurance Engineer

Full Time Professional Franklin, WI, US

Salary Range: $70,000.00 To $120,000.00 Annually

Our Company

Krones designs, develops, manufactures, and installs both machines and complete packaging lines. We have become one of the leading system suppliers for breweries and beverage producers as well as for the food, chemical and cosmetics industries. Our 20,000 employees worldwide strive for innovation and detail and ensure that each customer receives the best quality in product and service. Krones Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Purpose or Job Summary

The Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for ensuring that all turnkey sanitary process systems—design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning—comply with applicable regulatory, quality, and customer requirements. This role supports an entire project lifecycle, ensuring hygienic design standards, documentation integrity, and validation readiness for industries requiring strict sanitary and regulatory compliance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Quality Assurance and Product Quality
• Prepare inspection test plans (ITPs) and corresponding documents (e.g. test reports)
• Ensure compliance with customers’ standards and regulatory requirements
• Prepare company standards and technical specifications
• Conduct acceptance tests internally and qualifications and validations externally with customer
• Perform Welding Supervision and support Site Management
• Supplier management support and monitoring fabrication quality
• Identify, monitor, document and handle non-conformities
• Conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective and preventive measures (CAPA)
• Practice and drive the management system for continuous improvement (PDCA or KAIZEN)

• Qualification and Validation Support
• Conduct Design Acceptance Test (DAT) internally with process engineering and 3D design
• Coordinate Design Qualification (DQ) with customer
• Compile and review turnover packages and maintain finalized and audit-ready documentation

• Supplier Management Support and Fabrication Quality
• Perform quality assurance and audit subcontractors (on-site) and fabricators (pre-fabrication)
• Conduct factory acceptance tests (FAT) at fabricators’ facilities (e.g. tanks or skids)
• Conduct site acceptance tests (SAT) of installed or assembled plants or machines
  • Monitor and check welders site test before welding on site
  • Monitor on-site welding quality
  • Conduct borescope inspection
• Review and check suppliers’ technical documentation

Quality Management

• Implement and maintain the Quality Management System
• Organize company certifications, e.g. ISO 9001
• Coordinate and support internal audits external audits with CBs or NRTL and AHJ
• Project management support and project coordination support
• Preparing annual Management Reviews for the Board of Management

Required qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering: (Mechanical, Chemical or related field) or equivalent experience
• International Welding Engineer (preferred)

Experience

• 3 – 8 + years of QA / QC experience in sanitary and hygienic process systems (tubing and piping)
• Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or food processing industry
• Hands-on experience with hygienic piping systems, skid fabrication, or process equipment

Technical Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of hygienic design principles and stainless-steel fabrication (304/316L)
• Comprehensive knowledge of manual TIG welding and TIG orbital welding and inspection method
• Standard knowledge of P&IDs and isometric drawings and 3D models and
• Standard knowledge of QA documentation and Qualification and Validation (DQ/OQ/IQ)
• basic knowledge of root cause analysis (e.g. 5?, Fishbone)
• basic knowledge of quality management KPIs and statistical process control

Additional Certifications (preferred)

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or CQA
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
• ASME BPE familiarity or training
• Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher)

Soft Skills

• Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Problem-solving mindset with a proactive approach
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities

Physical / Working Demands

• The work environment is a professional office environment where a conservative business dress code is in effect. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• visits to manufacturing shops, supplier facilities, and project installation sites active as needed.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to type, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
• Specific vision required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Equipment used includes a computer, calculator, and measuring devices.
• Ability to understand both spoken and written directions and good vision required.
• Personal protective equipment required includes protective-toed safety shoes, safety glasses with side shields and hard hat (when on an active job site).
• All employees are required to maintain a safe working environment and comply with all safety and environmental policies/procedures. Each employee is to place environmental health and safety requirements as the priority in the performance of their work duties. Employees are responsible for notifying their immediate supervisor of a violation or deficiency in working conditions and recommending corrective measures, if possible. The employee's immediate supervisor must also be notified of every injury, or near miss.
• Travel will be required (10–25%)

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.