Quality Assurance Specialist

AtkinsRéalis; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist in Los Angeles to oversee QA for rail vehicle manufacturing, refurbishment, and testing. The role requires coordinating with builders, suppliers, and clients, performing inspections, FAIs, and audits, and ensuring compliance with FTA, ISO, and AWS standards.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in manufacturing/QA, strong problem solving, and the ability to travel extensively across North America.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of experience in manufacturing, quality assurance, quality control, welding engineering, rail transit, or related field.
• Experience supporting rolling stock manufacturing, vehicle refurbishment programs, or rail systems projects.
• Ability to travel extensively to manufacturing and supplier facilities.
• Professional certifications such as PE, CWI, CQE, CQA, CQI, VT, UT, MT, PT may be applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide QA oversight of vehicle manufacturers, contractors, and suppliers supporting rail and transit projects.
• Perform inspections, audits, surveillance, and witness hold points to verify compliance with quality requirements.
• Maintain daily inspection logs and document findings with QIRs and SIRs.
• Conduct FAIs and source inspections as required.
• Monitor compliance with project specs, QPs, ISO, AWS and related standards.
• Lead MRB meetings and support corrective actions and process improvements.
• Prepare and submit weekly inspection and project status reports.

Skills

QA oversight

Inspections & audits

FAIs (First Article Inspections)

Welding QA

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Project)

Job description

Overview

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist in our Los Angeles, CA office. Reporting directly to the Quality Assurance Manager, this position is responsible for providing quality assurance oversight of rail vehicle manufacturing, refurbishment, testing, and commissioning activities. The successful candidate will work closely with vehicle builders, suppliers, contractors, and clients to ensure compliance with project specifications, regulatory requirements, quality management systems, and applicable industry standards. This role requires extensive travel to manufacturing facilities and supplier locations to support rolling stock and rail transit projects throughout North America.

Your role

• Provide quality assurance oversight of vehicle manufacturers, contractors, and suppliers supporting rail and transit projects.
• Perform inspections, audits, surveillance activities, and witness hold points to verify compliance with project quality requirements.
• Maintain daily inspection logs and document findings using Quality Inspection Reports (QIRs) and Surveillance Inspection Reports (SIRs).
• Conduct First Article Inspections (FAIs) and source inspections as required.
• Monitor compliance with project specifications, builder quality plans, AtkinsRéalis Project Quality Plans, and applicable quality management systems.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes and product quality using Federal Transit Administration (FTA), ISO, and industry quality system requirements.
• Perform scheduled and unscheduled audits of manufacturers and suppliers.
• Vehicle history books and manufacturing records.
• Equipment serial number traceability.
• Welded assembly fit-up and welding processes.
• Preheat and interphases temperature controls.
• Welder qualifications and certifications.
• Welding Procedure Specifications (WPSs).
• Procedure Qualification Records (PQRs).
• Welding and inspection equipment calibration.
• Test equipment calibration, including multimeters, signal generators, and data recorders.
• Filler metal storage and handling.
• Paint and coating application processes.
• Small tool calibration, including torque wrenches and crimping tools.
• Witness routine, type, static, dynamic, and commissioning tests.
• Monitor compliance with applicable regulations and standards, including:
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements.
• APTA standards.
• AWS welding codes.
• ISO quality standards.
• Applicable federal regulations and project specifications.
• Identify, document, and track component failures, quality concerns, and safety-critical issues.
• Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) meetings and support resolution of nonconforming conditions.
• Lead weekly manufacturer quality meetings.
• Maintain action item logs and follow-up activities.
• Prepare and submit weekly inspection and project status reports.
• Review inspection records, test reports, corrective actions, and quality documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Manage client relationships and provide recommendations regarding quality-related issues and project risks.
• Support corrective and preventive action programs.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement throughout manufacturing and supply chain operations.
• Assist with proposal development and business development activities within areas of expertise.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance quality performance and project delivery.

About you

• Minimum of seven (6) years of experience in manufacturing, quality assurance, quality control, welding engineering, rail transit, or a related industry.
• Experience supporting rolling stock manufacturing, vehicle refurbishment programs, or rail systems projects.
• Ability to work independently and within a geographically dispersed team environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Project.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively to manufacturing and supplier facilities.
• Strong knowledge of quality management systems, auditing principles, and corrective action processes.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Industrial Technology, or a related field.
• Professional certifications such as:
• Professional Engineer (PE).
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
• Certified Welding Educator (CWE).
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).
• ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
• ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI).
• Visual Testing (VT).
• Ultrasonic Testing (UT).
• Magnetic Particle Testing (MT).
• Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT).
• Radiographic Testing (RT).
• Working knowledge of rail vehicle systems, manufacturing processes, and supplier quality management.
• Experience interpreting and applying AWS, APTA, FTA, ISO, DOT regulatory requirements.

Rewards & benefits

At AtkinsRéalis, our values - Safety, Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, and Excellence - are more than just words. They are the foundation of who we are and how we work. These principles shape our culture, guide our decisions, and inspire us to create an environment where every team member feels empowered to grow, succeed, and make a meaningful impact.

Depending on your employment status, AtkinsRéalis benefits may include medical, dental, vision, company-paid life and short- and long-term disability benefits, employer-matched 401(k) with 100% vesting, employee stock purchase plan, Paid Time Off, leaves of absences options, flexible work options, recognition and employee satisfaction programs, employee assistance program, and voluntary benefits. You can review our comprehensive benefits page here.

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.

Additional information

Expected compensation range is between $130,000- $150,000 annually depending on skills, experience, and geographical location.

AtkinsRéalis is an equal opportunity, Drug-Free employer EOE/Veteran/Disability

Please review AtkinsRéalis' Equal Opportunity Statement here.

Applications for this position are accepted on a rolling basis; no application deadline applies.

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