Senior Nuclear Quality Assurance Engineer / Oversight Specialist

About the role

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is the nation’s only permanent nuclear waste repository for defense-generated transuranic (TRU) waste generated from Department of Energy (DOE) sites across the country. Waste is permanently isolated over 2,000 feet underground in deep salt beds.

Responsibilities

• Perform supplier audits, surveillances, and quality assessments.
• Support implementation and maintenance of NQA-1 compliant programs.
• Review technical, quality, and turnover documentation.
• Provide oversight of fabrication, installation, inspection, and sing activities.
• Evaluate supplier corrective actions and quality performance trends.
• Support startup, commissioning, and system turnover activities.
• Cookordination with engineering, construction, sing, procurement, and project management organizations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, contractual, and industry requirements.
• Promote a strong nuclear safety culture and continuous improvement environment.

Requirements

• Nuclear Quality Assurance: Extensive knowledge of NQA-1 Quality Assurance requirements. Working knowledge of 10 CFR 50 Appendix B and 10 CFR 21. Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining nuclear QA programs. Ability to perform quality program assessments, audits, surveillances, and inspections. Experience supporting regulatory and utility audits. Strong understanding of corrective action programs and root cause evaluation.
• Supplier Quality & Oversight: Experience managing supplier quality assurance programs. Conducting supplier audits, annual evaluations, and surveillance activities. Evaluated Supplier List (ESL) management and supplier qualification. Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) program knowledge. Supplier document reviews and compliance verification. Ability to interface with supplier management and resolve quality issues.
• ASME & Nuclear Codes: Working knowledge of ASME Section III and Section XI requirements. Experience with system turnover, sing boundaries, and hold point establishment. Knowledge of AWS welding requirements and quality controls. Understanding of material traceability, CMTRs, MTRs, CoCs, and turnover documentation.
• Inspection & Field Oversight: ASNT VT Level II certification preferred. Experience performing weld inspections and NDE surveillance. Fabrication shop and field construction oversight experience. Mechanical and structural component inspection experience. Receipt inspection and acceptance sing support. Ability to evaluate nonconformances and support disposition activities.
• Leadership & Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills. Experience coordinating cross-functional teams. Proven ability to develop procedures, training programs, and process improvements. Ability to mentor personnel and support organizational development. Experience presenting technical information to senior management and project stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Industrial Leadership, Construction Management, or related field.
• NQA-1 Lead Auditor qualification.
• ASNT VT Level II Certification.
• Experience supporting DOE and Commercial Nuclear projects.
• Experience with AP1000, SSC turnover, startup sing, commissioning, or nuclear construction projects.
• Experience serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for supplier quality, audits, or quality program implementation.