Quality Assurance Laboratory Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Direct daily lab operations, ensuring testing activities align with production schedules and regulatory requirements.
• Supervise, coach, and develop laboratory staff, promoting a culture of safety, precision, and accountability.
• Maintain strict adherence to nuclear industry quality standards (e.g., NQA-1, ISO 17025) and regulatory guidelines.
• Ensure proper documentation, traceability, and quality records management to support internal audits, customer requirements, and regulatory inspections.
• Oversee chemical, radiological, metallurgical, and mechanical testing programs necessary for nuclear fuel qualification.
• Review and approve test methods, validation of activities, data reports, and deviations.
• Ensure calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Ensure accurate, reproducible, and fully traceable test results.
• Prepare and review technical reports, certificates of analysis, and nonconformance investigations.
• Support root-cause analysis and corrective actions for quality issues.
• Collect, analyze, and report engineering metrics on process performance, including yield, cost, and safety.
• Prepare and present detailed reports on key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational insights.
• Work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, R&D, Procurement, and Regulatory Affairs to support process qualification and continuous process improvements.
• Provide expert guidance on material specifications and testing methodologies.

Basic Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Nuclear Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in a regulated laboratory environment, ideally within nuclear, aerospace, medical or other high-reliability manufacturing sectors.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical teams.
• Expertise in analytical testing, quality systems, and documentation practices.

Skills & Knowledge

• In-depth understanding of common analytical instruments (e.g, ICP-MS, XRF, DSC, IC, XRD, FTIR, etc.).
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory standards, safety protocols, and quality control procedures in the nuclear industry.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interface with regulators, customers, and cross-disciplinary teams.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with strict safety and regulatory standards.
• Willingness to work at fuel pilot line facility for extended commissioning and production campaigns.
• Ability to work in a secure, safety-conscious environment and handle sensitive materials in compliance with all safety guidelines.