QA Lead for Complex R&D Projects & Audits

Socket.dev; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent paid time off

Healthcare coverage

Retirement plan

Job summary

National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead organization-wide QA initiatives at the NRAO HQ in Charlottesville, VA. You will develop practical QA plans, coach teams, and conduct independent audits to ensure adherence to processes and measurable improvements.

Responsibilities include establishing gates, metrics, and reporting on quality risks and trends while collaborating with project teams and leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience building and implementing QA frameworks tailored to projects.
• Ability to lead audits, identify deficiencies, and drive corrective actions.
• Strong analytical skills and risk-based thinking.
• Proven collaboration with project teams and leadership.
• Excellent documentation and reporting capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain organization-wide QA processes and guidelines.
• Collaborate with systems engineers to tailor QA plans per project.
• Assess risks, requirements, and delivery approaches for QA strategy.
• Provide hands-on QA support for high-risk initiatives.
• Coach teams on testing, reviews, controls, and continuous improvement.
• Establish quality gates, metrics, and acceptance criteria.
• Conduct independent QA audits and assess process adherence.
• Identify gaps and drive corrective actions with teams.
• Report trends and audit findings to management clearly.
• Promote a culture of built-in quality throughout delivery.

Skills

QA leadership

Quality management

Auditing & assessment

Risk management

Process improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead organization-wide QA initiatives at the NRAO HQ in Charlottesville, VA. You will develop practical QA plans, coach teams, and conduct independent audits to ensure adherence to processes and measurable improvements.

Responsibilities include establishing gates, metrics, and reporting on quality risks and trends while collaborating with project teams and leadership.