Meet Hanne:

A role where no two days are the same

From food technology to the defence industry – Hanne found her place in the quality assurance environment at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

  • Text:Amanda Chapman-Stavn / KONGSBERG

    Photo:Magnus Bjørnnes / KONGSBERG

When a friend landed a job in the defence industry, Hanne began to wonder whether her background in food technology and quality management could also be relevant in that sector. With a master’s degree and several years of experience in quality management behind her, she applied to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace – a company that had long been on her radar. “I frequently checked the website for openings, and when the opportunity came, I went for it,” she says.

Close to the missions – and the end user

Since January 2024, Hanne has been working as a Project Engineer in the Missiles and Space division, where she is part of the QA team closely involved with both projects and customers. “A large part of my time is spent following up on delivery projects, but I also take part in audits, support the projects where needed, and maintain dialogue with customers and authorities,” she explains.

In this context, “customers” refers to nations, often with their own regulatory requirements and dedicated quality assurance representatives. “It’s exciting to be in direct contact with the end user and see how our requirements and processes align with their expectations.”

Hanne’s interest in defence and security has been with her for many years, inspired in part by her grandfather, who served as a submarine captain for much of his career. When she was called up for national service, she declined – a decision she later came to regret. “Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace became my way of contributing. I’m proud of the work we do and of being part of the team that strengthens Norway’s defence capability.”

A responsibility that inspires

The transition from the food industry to the defence sector has been both challenging and rewarding. Hanne describes quality as a discipline that always revolves around processes, procedures, requirements, and regulations – regardless of the industry. At Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, however, she encounters a much broader range of requirements from customers, authorities, and internal stakeholders, making the work especially varied.

She particularly highlights the QA environment as a major strength. “There are many people to exchange ideas with, and we’re constantly learning from one another. I was relatively fresh out of university when I started, and having experienced colleagues to rely on has been invaluable.”

We say that we are ‘world class’, and that comes with a responsibility.

Hanne, Project Engineer in Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace

As part of the QA team, Hanne must put herself in the customer’s position while also safeguarding Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s own requirements and processes. The products are expected to perform reliably for many years to come, and she describes the responsibility as significant – but highly motivating.

“We’re growing, and as part of QA you get to be involved in an incredible range of activities – meeting customers, following the entire lifecycle of a product, and working closely with many different areas of expertise.”

To anyone considering a career in quality assurance at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Hanne has a clear message:

“Apply. If you’re looking for a role where no two days are the same, where you’re constantly learning and get to work in a safe and highly competent environment, this is the perfect place to be.”

Different roles, shared commitment

Meet Hanne, Joakim and Christian – three colleagues from the quality assurance team at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. They work in different divisions, with different roles, backgrounds and areas of responsibility. What unites them is a shared commitment to quality at every stage of the delivery.