Quality Assurance Specialist

slihrms; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis in Los Angeles, CA is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist to oversee QA across rail vehicle manufacturing, refurbishment, testing, and commissioning. You will coordinate with builders, suppliers, and clients to ensure compliance with project specs, ISO/FTA standards, and QA systems, with substantial travel across North America.

The role requires strong auditing, inspection, and documentation skills, plus a Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years in manufacturing, quality assurance, or rail transit.
• Experience with QA/QC in rolling stock manufacturing or refurbishment.
• Proficient in conducting audits, FAIs, and source inspections.
• Strong knowledge of ISO, FTA, AWS, and related quality standards.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide QA oversight of vehicle manufacturers, contractors, and suppliers.
• Perform inspections, audits, surveillance, and witness hold points to verify compliance.
• Maintain daily inspection logs and document findings with QIRs and SIRs.
• Conduct First Article Inspections (FAIs) and source inspections.
• Monitor compliance with project specs, quality plans, and QA systems.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes and product quality against standards.
• Lead MRB meetings and support corrective actions.
• Prepare and submit weekly inspection and project status reports.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement across manufacturing and supply chain.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Auditing

Manufacturing

Welding engineering

Rail transit

Regulatory compliance

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Industrial Technology, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Excel

Word

Outlook

Project

Job description

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 w