Lead QA Auditor

AtkinsRéalis; Riyadh Region; On-site; SAR 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salary

Medical insurance

Annual leave balance

Company gratuity scheme

Discretionary bonus program

Annual flight contribution

Transportation & housing allowances

Employee Wellbeing Program

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Lead QA Auditor to oversee all quality audit activities across a major project in Saudi Arabia. The role ensures compliance with ISO 9001, project quality requirements, and regulatory standards, while driving continuous improvement and independent assurance of quality management systems.

The role involves leading audit programs, coordinating with site supervision consultants and contractors, and reporting to senior management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required.
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification mandatory.
• Minimum 15 years of QA, auditing, and construction quality management experience.
• GCC experience, particularly within Saudi Arabia, is highly preferred.
• Professional certifications in quality management or project management are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all quality audit activities across the project.
• Prepare detailed audit reports with findings, risks, and recommendations.
• Coordinate with clients, engineers, managers, contractors, and QA teams.
• Monitor audit findings, track corrective actions, and ensure timely closure.
• Support external audits by clients, regulators, and certification bodies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Report writing

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

Master's Degree in Engineering

Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor

Professional certifications in quality management

Engineering/Quality organization membership

Tools

Quality management software

Audit tracking systems

Document management platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

The Lead QA Auditor is responsible for leading and managing all quality audit activities across the project to ensure compliance with contractual requirements, project quality objectives, regulatory standards, and industry best practices. The role will provide independent assurance that quality management systems are effectively implemented by the Site Supervision Consultant and Contractors, while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement throughout project execution.

The Lead QA Auditor is responsible for leading and managing all quality audit activities across the project to ensure compliance with contractual requirements, project quality objectives, regulatory standards, and industry best practices. The role will provide independent assurance that quality management systems are effectively implemented by the Site Supervision Consultant and Contractors, while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement throughout project execution.

Your role

Quality Audit Management

• Develop and maintain project-wide audit programs, schedules, and audit plans based on project risks and priorities.
• Conduct system, process, surveillance, and compliance audits in accordance with approved quality management procedures.
• Verify implementation of quality plans, inspection and test plans, method statements, and project quality requirements.
• Ensure objective evaluation of quality management processes and performance across all project stakeholders.
• Monitor audit findings and assess trends to identify recurring issues and areas requiring improvement.

Compliance and Assurance

• Verify compliance with ISO 9001 standards, project quality requirements, and applicable construction regulations.
• Assess contractor adherence to approved construction procedures, specifications, and quality management systems.
• Review quality documentation, records, approvals, inspection reports, and testing data for compliance verification.
• Ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented effectively and within agreed timelines.
• Provide independent assurance reports on the overall effectiveness of project quality controls.

Audit Findings and Corrective Actions

• Lead investigations related to major quality concerns, recurring deficiencies, and systemic non-conformances.
• Review root cause analyses and verify the adequacy of corrective and preventive action plans.
• Monitor closure of audit findings and ensure evidence of implementation is properly documented.
• Escalate significant quality risks and unresolved issues to project management when required.
• Track lessons learned and recommend process improvements to enhance project quality performance.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate with Client representatives, Resident Engineers, project managers, contractors, and quality teams during audit activities.
• Facilitate audit opening meetings, closing meetings, and management review sessions.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to QA Engineers and auditors on auditing best practices and compliance requirements.
• Support external audits conducted by clients, regulatory agencies, and certification bodies.
• Maintain professional relationships with stakeholders while preserving audit independence and objectivity.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare detailed audit reports highlighting findings, observations, risks, and recommendations.
• Maintain audit registers, compliance tracking logs, corrective action records, and quality performance data.
• Develop periodic quality assurance summaries and executive reports for senior management review.
• Monitor quality performance indicators and communicate emerging trends affecting project quality.
• Ensure all audit documentation is accurately maintained and properly controlled within project systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Quality Management, or a related discipline.
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or Construction Management is preferred.
• Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor qualification is mandatory.
• Professional certifications in quality management, auditing, or project management are highly desirable.
• Membership in a recognized engineering or quality management professional organization is preferred.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in quality assurance, quality auditing, and construction quality management.
• Minimum 8 years of experience conducting quality audits on large-scale construction or infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience within site supervision consultancy, engineering consultancy, or project management consultancy environments.
• Demonstrated experience on large-scale buildings, convention centers, hospitality developments, hotels, resorts, and mixed-use projects.
• Prior GCC experience, particularly within Saudi Arabia, is highly preferred.

Technical Competencies

• Extensive knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems and auditing methodologies.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, quality control systems, testing procedures, and inspection requirements.
• Expertise in audit planning, compliance verification, root cause analysis, and corrective action management.
• Familiarity with international construction standards, Saudi regulations, and best industry practices.
• Proficiency in quality management software, audit tracking systems, document management platforms, and Microsoft Office applications.

Behavioral Competencies

• Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and report-writing skills.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and objectivity.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive quality improvements across multidisciplinary teams.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.

This Includes

• Tax-free salary.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Medical insurance.
• Annual leave balance.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Annual flight contribution.
• Transportation & housing allowances.
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.