Lead QA Auditor

Atkins Realis Group; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 400,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

Atkins Realis Group in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Lead QA Auditor to steer all quality audit activities across a major project. You will ensure compliance with contractual requirements, standards, and industry best practices while driving continuous improvement with site supervision, contractors, and QA teams.

The role demands extensive experience in quality assurance and auditing on large-scale construction projects, with GCC and Saudi regulatory familiarity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Quality Management, or related discipline.
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or Construction Management 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all quality audit activities across the project to ensure compliance with contractual requirements, quality objectives, regulatory standards and industry best practices.
• 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 procedures.
• Verify implementation of quality plans, inspection and test plans, method statements and project quality requirements.
• Provide independent assurance reports on the overall effectiveness of project quality controls.
• Coordinate with Client representatives, Resident Engineers, project managers, contractors and quality teams during audits.

Skills

Auditing

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (Civil/Construction/Quality)

Master's degree preferred

ISO 9001 Lead Auditor (certified)

Professional certifications in quality/auditing

Engineering/quality org membership preferred

Tools

Quality management software

Audit tracking systems

Document management platforms

Microsoft Office applications

Job description

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 roleQuality 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
• Facitate 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

• 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.