QA Technical Support Team Lead (Mgr Project Management 3)

Mission Technologies, a division of HII; Canberra; On-site; AUD 195,298 - 287,108; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Mission Technologies, a division of HII, seeks a Technical Support Team Lead in Australia to head a team conducting supplier validation assessments for the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine supply chain.

You will ensure on‑time deliverables and maintain strong stakeholder communication, reporting to the Senior Project Manager. You will establish a supplier assurance function, lead audits, and drive CAP closures while coordinating with NNS requirements and industry standards.

Qualifications

• 8+ years relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree; 6+ years with a master’s degree; or high school diploma with 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Extensive experience in a quality assurance or quality control role at management or advisory level in a defense, nuclear, or high‑risk industry.
• Experience auditing quality management systems per AS/NZS ISO 9001 series or applicable U.S. MILSPECs and standards.
• Experience developing and implementing or improving quality assurance programs.
• Experience with U.S. or U.K. naval nuclear requirements.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with employees and suppliers at all levels.
• Experience building and leading teams in a start‑up environment.
• Experience leading investigations/ root‑cause analysis.
• Development and monitoring of meaningful leading and lagging performance indicators.
• Knowledge of ISO 14001 Environmental Management, AS/NZS 31000:2018 Risk Management, ISO 45001:2018 Safety Management, and other business management system standards.
• Analytical skills: collate, analyze, and present data and performance indicators.
• Comfortable working across a multi‑disciplined environment.
• Knowledge of business management system and/or BMS auditing techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Establish the technical (supplier assurance) function for the U.S. Services, ensuring validation assessments adhere to process and onboarding requirements.
• Liaise with the existing team structure to integrate Newport News Shipyard (NNS) requirements into the validation process.
• Manage the Supplier Assessment Process from down‑selection to close‑out of Corrective Action Plans (CAPs).
• Plan and conduct assessments of potential NNS suppliers per established checklists to ensure personnel, facilities, and written programs meet NNS supply chain standards.
• Perform field visits: interview supplier employees, review documents, and observe operations.
• Write post‑assessment reports including performance gap analysis versus U.S. supply chain requirements.

Skills

Quality assurance leadership

Program management

Supplier quality

Communication

Team leadership

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Summary

HII is seeking a Technical Support Team Lead to join our team in Australia. The role leads a team of engineering and supplier quality professionals conducting Supplier Validation assessments to qualify Australia suppliers for the U.S. nuclear‑powered submarine supply chain. The position reports to the Senior Project Manager and focuses on ensuring contract deliverables and stakeholder communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish the technical (supplier assurance) function for the U.S. Services, ensuring validation assessments adhere to process and onboarding requirements.
• Liaise with the existing team structure to integrate Newport News Shipyard (NNS) requirements into the validation process.
• Manage the Supplier Assessment Process from down‑selection to close‑out of Corrective Action Plans (CAPs).
• Plan and conduct assessments of potential NNS suppliers per established checklists to ensure personnel, facilities, and written programs meet NNS supply chain standards.
• Perform field visits: interview supplier employees, review documents, and observe operations.
• Write post‑assessment reports including performance gap analysis versus U.S. supply chain requirements.
• Support reporting, monitoring, and EVMS metrics.
• Participate in trade shows, conferences, and industry events.
• Support proposal development for additional services.
• Facilitate corrective actions by suppliers through training, liaison, and feedback.
• Facilitate technical data exchange between NNS and suppliers; coach through the qualification process.
• Liaise with NNS and U.S. subject matter experts to identify potential products and services.
• Perform periodic post‑award audits of suppliers to ensure performance requirements are met.
• Assess suppliers for business maturity and identify weaknesses for corrective action development.
• Conduct and support investigations for non‑conforming services and products.
• Participate in improvement activities where assessments identify opportunities.
• Implement quality assurance training within the program as required.
• Maintain up‑to‑date records and documentary evidence of assessments, audits, and findings.
• Lead, mentor, coach, and guide supplier quality assurance practitioners.
• Execute best‑practice supplier due diligence auditing framework.
• Ensure standardized supplier due diligence is applied.
• Develop checklists, processes, and procedures related to validation and qualification activities.
• Document a supplier technical assessment and validation process applicable for a trilateral nuclear industrial base.
• Perform reasonable duties commensurate with classification level.
• Travel domestic and overseas as required.

What You Need To Have

• 8+ years relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree; 6+ years with a master’s degree; or high school diploma with 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Extensive experience in a quality assurance or quality control role at management or advisory level in a defense, nuclear, or high‑risk industry.
• Experience auditing quality management systems per AS/NZS ISO 9001 series or applicable U.S. MILSPECs and standards.
• Experience developing and implementing or improving quality assurance programs.
• Experience with U.S. or U.K. naval nuclear requirements.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with employees and suppliers at all levels.
• Experience building and leading teams in a start‑up environment.
• Experience leading investigations/ root‑cause analysis.
• Development and monitoring of meaningful leading and lagging performance indicators.
• Knowledge of ISO 14001 Environmental Management, AS/NZS 31000:2018 Risk Management, ISO 45001:2018 Safety Management, and other business management system standards.
• Analytical skills: collate, analyze, and present data and performance indicators.
• Comfortable working across a multi‑disciplined environment.
• Knowledge of business management system and/or BMS auditing techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Bonus Points For

• Experience in defense or as a Defense Industry Partner.
• Experience working with HII or other procurement functions.
• Experience with procurement/subcontractor onboarding requirements.
• Qualification or experience with Safety or Environmental Management.
• Technical familiarity with castings, forgings, welding, machining, advanced manufacturing, and other fabrication processes.
• Technical expertise in calibration, NDT, scaffolding, marine exposure, or similar disciplines used in submarine maintenance.
• Competent in developing and delivering training and assessment.
• Leadership, mentoring, and coaching skills.
• ASQ Certified Quality Auditor certification.

Salary Range

Estimated range: $136,045 – $200,000 based on location, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Benefits

• Best‑in‑class medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Wellness resources and employee assistance program.
• 401(k) savings plan options.
• Life insurance.
• Employee discounts.
• Paid holidays and paid time off.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Early childhood and post‑secondary education scholarships.
• Occasional bonus or non‑recurrent compensation for qualified positions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

Assistance

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Additionally, you may call 1‑844‑849‑8463 for assistance.