Quality Assurance Manager

Nano Nuclear Energy, Inc.; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NANO Nuclear Energy in Oak Brook, IL is seeking a highly experienced Quality Assurance Manager to own and elevate the corporate QA program. This hands‑on leadership role starts at Manager level with a clear path to Director of Quality Assurance on demonstrated performance.

Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, you will manage up to three direct reports, conduct audits, review procurement QA, and ensure adherence to NRC regulations and internal quality standards across engineering,

Qualifications

• 10 to 15 years of dedicated Nuclear Quality Assurance experience.
• 5+ years of experience working directly at a nuclear utility.
• 5+ years of leadership experience as QA Manager or Director.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor QA team of up to three direct reports.
• Own and manage the Quality Assurance Program with executive access to the CEO.
• Oversee audits/surveillances and ensure design documents meet QA requirements.
• Review procurement documents to enforce QA with vendors and subcontractors.
• Maintain corrective action tracking and ensure timely closure of issues.

Skills

Leadership

Nuclear QA experience

Auditing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related science

Tools

ASME Codes

Lead Auditor Certification

Job description

Position Overview

NANO Nuclear Energy is seeking an uncompromising, highly experienced Quality Assurance Manager to own and elevate our corporate Quality Assurance Program. In strict alignment with NANO's corporate scaling and titling guidelines, this role will initially be designated at the Manager level. Upon successfully demonstrating operational excellence, team leadership, and cultural fit through a defined due diligence period, the candidate will be eligible for a direct promotion to the Director of Quality Assurance (DQA) title.

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Operations, the QA Manager serves as the senior owner and accountable lead for the Quality Assurance Program, with sufficient independence and direct executive access to the CEO to escalate safety or quality matters. This ensures that all advanced reactor development, engineering, and procurement activities strictly adhere to industry regulations and NANO’s internal quality standards without implying that QA owns quality to the exclusion of the rest of the NANO team. This is an active people‑management role; the candidate will step in as a leader on day one, taking on the immediate personnel management of up to three (3) direct reports.

Key Responsibilities (The QA Mandate)

The QA Manager serves as the accountable lead for the Quality Assurance Program requirements and is responsible for the following:

• Team Leadership & Management: Act as the dedicated Reporting Manager for the QA department, directly managing, mentoring, and prioritizing the daily tasks and performance outcomes of up to three (3) initial direct reports.
• Program Authority: Act as the senior owner and accountable lead for the Quality Assurance Program, maintaining sufficient independence and direct executive access to the CEO to elevate critical safety or quality matters.
• Audit & Surveillance: Conduct selected reviews and perform surveillances/audits to assure that all design documents are prepared, reviewed, and approved in strict accordance with industry Quality Assurance Program requirements.
• Supply Chain QA: Review procurement documents as necessary to verify and enforce QA requirements with vendors and subcontractors.
• Corrective Action Program: Maintain comprehensive Company tracking of conditions adverse to quality and non-conformances; actively verify and enforce closure of these issues as required.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Participate in Company program interface meetings, ensuring QA is embedded in all engineering, testing, and operational decisions.
• Delegation & Ownership: While specific tasks may be designated to other QA personnel, the QA Manager retains absolute program ownership and responsibility at the management level.

Qualifications & Executive Profile

To successfully guide NANO through NRC regulations and commercial deployment, we are targeting highly experienced candidates who bring:

• 10 to 15 years of dedicated Nuclear Quality Assurance experience.
• 5+ years of experience working directly at a nuclear utility.
• 5+ years of leadership experience serving as a QA Manager or Director.
• Certifications: Active Lead Auditor Certification.
• Technical Expertise: Extensive, practical knowledge of ASME Codes.
• Education: A Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related science field.
• Cultural Fit: A relentless drive and passion for the advanced nuclear sector and a desire to build a team that sets the next industry standard in Quality Assurance.

Only candidates from IL and NY will be considered.