Director, Nuclear Project Quality Assurance

Elementl Power Inc. is an advanced nuclear project developer and independent power producer, building scalable pathways for clean, resilient energy. We break the stalemate in advanced nuclear deployment by delivering turnkey development, financing, and ownership solutions — empowering customers to access nuclear power without the burden of operating assets.

About the role

Reporting to the SVP of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs, you'll own Elementl's nuclear project quality assurance strategy and implementation across the project portfolio, establishing and maintaining our QA program across the project lifecycle. In the initial development phase, you'll focus on qualifying and overseeing suppliers with established 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B quality assurance programs, implementing quality controls across licensing, engineering, environmental, site characterization, and procurement, and preparing the organization for NRC licensing. As Elementl's projects mature, the role expands into procurement and oversight of long-lead equipment, construction, testing, operational readiness, and long-term operating QA.

Your first responsibility will be revising and implementing Elementl's NIAC-reviewed Quality Assurance Program Description (QAPD) to focus it on development-phase activities, executed through a lean internal model supported by qualified contractors, consultants, and third-party assessors.

Responsibilities

• Supplier Qualification & Approved Supplier List
  • Develop, implement, and maintain Elementl's supplier qualification strategy and program, and establish and maintain the Approved Supplier List (ASL).
  • Qualify and periodically requalify reactor vendors, architect-engineers, EPC contractors, owner's engineers, environmental consultants, and other suppliers subject to Appendix B, 10 CFR Part 21, or Elementl project quality controls.
  • Evaluate supplier quality assurance programs through audits, surveillances, performance history, corrective actions, and industry data (NIAC, NUPIC), and build a risk-ranked qualification plan tied to project milestones and procurement needs.
  • Oversee quality assurance flowdowns and sub-tier supplier control, including procurement-document requirements.
• Audits & Supplier Oversight
  • Plan, conduct, and coordinate supplier audits, surveillances, assessments, and corrective action verification, overseeing contracted auditors and technical specialists as needed.
  • Participate in shared industry supplier assessments through NIAC, NUPIC, and other recognized organizations.
  • Monitor supplier corrective actions, lead continuous supplier performance monitoring, and maintain audit and qualification records.
  • Maintain Lead Auditor qualification and ensure Elementl retains sufficient internal or contracted lead-auditor capability.
• Licensing & Engineering Quality Assurance
  • Ensure engineering and licensing activities supporting feasibility studies, pre-FEED, FEED, and NRC licensing are conducted under appropriate quality assurance controls.
  • Verify QA implementation for engineering calculations, licensing analyses, environmental and site-characterization data, software, records, and technical deliverables.
  • Coordinate with Licensing to ensure technical information used in NRC submittals is controlled, traceable, and supported by retrievable records.
  • Lead the QA interface among Engineering, Licensing, Environmental & Permitting, Procurement, Project Management, and Legal — reviewing QA requirements in statements of work, contracts, and supplier flowdowns.
• Program Development & Governance
  • Revise the existing NIAC-reviewed QAPD and implement supporting procedures for supplier qualification, audits, document control, records management, corrective action, software QA, and nonconformance control.
  • Manage QA program changes under applicable NRC change-control requirements, and lead evaluation, disposition, and escalation of deviations and nonconformances.
  • Lead preparation of the QA program for future NRC licensing applications, inspections, and supplier oversight, and develop the roadmap for expansion into construction, testing, and long-term operating programs.
  • Develop future QA staffing and contractor-support strategy as Elementl's projects mature.
• Corporate Quality Assurance Leadership
  • Serve as Elementl's senior functional owner for nuclear project quality assurance, advising project management and executive leadership on quality risks, supplier status, audit results, and corrective action trends.
  • Maintain sufficient authority and direct access to executive leadership to identify quality problems, initiate corrective actions, and elevate quality concerns independent of cost and schedule pressure.
  • Promote a strong nuclear safety and quality culture, hire and develop QA team members, and support NRC inspections, supplier interactions, and project-readiness reviews.

Requirements

You bring at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience implementing, overseeing, or leading nuclear quality assurance programs under 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B and ASME NQA-1, with a current or previously qualified NQA-1 Lead Auditor credential (or the ability to regain qualification promptly).

• Hands-on experience with:
  • Qualifying and overseeing suppliers performing safety-related or quality-affecting nuclear work, including audits, surveillances, corrective actions, and ASL management
  • NRC quality assurance and reporting requirements, including 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B, 10 CFR Part 21, 10 CFR 50.55(e), ASME NQA-1, and NRC Regulatory Guide 1.28
  • Auditing or overseeing architect-engineers, reactor vendors, EPC contractors, manufacturers, laboratories, or engineering consultants
  • Developing or implementing QA procedures for design control, procurement, supplier qualification, records management, software QA, and corrective action
• A B.S. in a STEM discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, military service, technical training, certifications, and relevant experience

Qualifications

It would be great if you have:

• Established or implemented a QA program for a new nuclear project, advanced reactor project, or first-of-a-kind deployment, ideally standing it up before major procurement, construction, or NRC application submittal.
• Supported engineering, licensing, environmental, or site-characterization activities performed under Appendix B or graded project quality controls.
• Experience with NRC licensing activities supporting construction permits, combined licenses, design certifications, or operating licenses.
• Experience supporting operating nuclear plants, operational readiness, startup and testing, or operating-phase QA programs.
• Participated in or led industry shared supplier assessments through NIAC or NUPIC, and are comfortable with electronic quality management or corrective action systems.

Skills

• Practical, risk-informed judgment and a graded approach to quality, with the ability to build effective working relationships with mature suppliers while maintaining independent oversight.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment where procedures and priorities continue to evolve.
• Willing to exercise independent quality assurance judgment, including escalation or stop-work recommendations when requirements or records are inadequate.
• Able to lead through influence across Licensing, Engineering, Procurement, Environmental, Project Management, reactor vendors, and contractors.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $175,000-$200,000 and comes with a bonus opportunity.

Benefits

• Wellness & Benefits
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Generous paid time off, personal time, and flexibility
  • Company-sponsored short- and long-term disability coverage and life insurance
  • 401(k) plan with an impressive company match
  • Additional benefits designed to support your well-being and success
• Work Environment
  • 100% remote work across the United States
• Culture
  • Mission-driven team shaping the future of clean energy
  • Collaborative environment valuing clarity, accountability, and teamwork
  • Culture that encourages authenticity, inclusion, and growth