Construction Quality Manager

KBR, Inc.; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR, Inc. seeks an experienced Construction Quality Manager to oversee quality performance on a major pharmaceutical manufacturing project in the United States.

The role will supervise EPCM contractors, construction teams, suppliers, and inspectors to ensure GMP, codes, and project specs are met through design, CQV, startup, and handover. Responsibilities include establishing the Project Quality Management Plan, governance, audits, supplier QA programs, and readiness for FDA/EMA inspections.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quality Management, Life Sciences, or related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of quality management experience on major capital projects.
• 10+ years in pharmaceutical/Life Sciences GMP environments.
• Experience leading quality programs on projects >$500M TIC.
• Experience across design, construction, CQV, startup, and handover phases.
• Extensive GMP knowledge and pharmaceutical facility delivery processes.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary quality organizations and contractor teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Project Quality Management Plan (QMP).
• Lead project quality reviews, audits, management assessments, and compliance evaluations.
• Oversee design quality review processes and contractor quality programs.
• Manage owner-side QA/QC across civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, automation, utilities, and process installation activities.
• Coordinate CQV readiness with Commissioning, Qualification, Validation, and Compliance teams.
• Lead quality investigations of nonconforming work and maintain quality dashboards.

Skills

Quality leadership

GMP knowledge

QA/QC oversight

Audit programs

Regulatory readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Quality

Job description

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets.

KBR is seeking an experienced Construction Quality Manager to oversee construction quality performance for a major pharmaceutical manufacturing project. This role will have the oversight of EPCM contractors, construction contractors, suppliers, and inspectors to ensure all construction activities meet project specifications, GMP requirements, industry standards, and regulatory expectations. The successful candidate will play a key leadership role in delivering a world-class facility through construction, commissioning, qualification, and startup.

Functional job responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Quality Leadership & Governance

• Develop and implement the Project Quality Management Plan (QMP).
• Establish project-wide quality objectives, KPIs, quality reporting systems, and governance processes.
• Lead project quality reviews, audits, management assessments, and compliance evaluations.
• Provide independent assurance regarding effectiveness of contractor and project quality management systems.
• Guide project leadership on quality risks, compliance concerns, and required corrective actions.
• Promote a quality-focused culture emphasizing right-first-time execution and continuous improvement.

Engineering & Design Quality Oversight

• Oversee design quality review processes and contractor quality programs.
• Ensure management of design changes, deviations, and quality impacts.
• Confirm quality requirements are incorporated into all project execution procedures and standards.

Construction Quality Oversight

• Manage owner-side construction quality surveillance and inspection programs.
• Monitor contractor QA/QC performance across civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, automation, utilities, and process installation activities.
• Review and approve Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), turnover strategies, punch list management processes, and inspection procedures.
• Ensure construction activities comply with approved specifications, codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead quality investigations associated with nonconforming work.

Supplier & Equipment Quality Management

• Oversee supplier quality programs for major process equipment, utilities, automation systems, cleanroom systems, and critical GMP infrastructure.
• Support supplier qualification, audits, surveillance activities, and factory acceptance testing.
• Review supplier quality performance metrics and corrective action programs.
• Ensure documentation and quality records support qualification and validation activities.

CQV & GMP Compliance

• Coordinate closely with Commissioning, Qualification, Validation, and Compliance teams.
• Ensure construction and engineering activities support successful CQV execution.
• Verify quality documentation supports GMP regulatory inspections and licensure requirements.
• Support readiness for FDA, EMA, MHRA, and other applicable regulatory agency inspections.
• Ensure proper management of deviations, CAPAs, change controls, and quality records.

Audit & Compliance Management

• Develop and execute project quality audit programs
• Lead internal quality audits and support external regulatory assessments.
• Track audit findings and corrective actions through closure.
• Monitor contractor compliance with contractual quality obligations.
• Maintain project quality dashboards and executive reporting.
• Coordinate quality activities among EPCM firms, contractors, suppliers, and CQV partners.
• Foster collaboration across Quality, Construction, Engineering, Procurement, and Operations teams.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quality Management, Life Sciences, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of quality management experience supporting major capital projects.
• Minimum 10 years of experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, sterile manufacturing, vaccine, biologics, API, or other GMP-regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience supporting projects exceeding $500 million TIC.
• Experience managing quality programs during design, construction, CQV, startup, and handover phases.
• Extensive knowledge of GMP requirements and pharmaceutical facility delivery processes.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary quality organizations and contractor teams.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills:

• ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CMQ/OE), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), or equivalent certification.
• Professional Engineer (PE), PMP, or comparable certification.
• Experience on greenfield pharmaceutical manufacturing projects.
• Experience supporting FDA, EMA, MHRA, or similar regulatory inspections.
• Experience with cleanrooms, sterile processing, biologics, cell and gene therapy, or advanced manufacturing facilities.
• Previous Owner's Representative, PMC, or EPCM oversight experience on mega-projects.

Decarbonization – Energy Transition – Sustainability

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.