Quality Audit Manager - Rail and Transit

Parsons Corporation; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 125,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid time off

ESOP

401(k)

Life insurance

Flexible work schedules

Holidays

Job summary

Parsons in Newark, NJ seeks a Quality Audit Manager to lead risk-based audit programs for major rail infrastructure projects. You will plan, conduct, and report on internal, external, and third-party audits, ensuring alignment with ISO 9001, FTA requirements, and contractual obligations.

You will evaluate QMS effectiveness, guide root cause analyses, and drive continuous improvement while coordinating with clients, regulators, and partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quality Management, Business, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in quality management, auditing, or compliance.
• Demonstrated experience leading audits on complex projects or multi-location organizations.
• Certification: ISO 9001 Lead Auditor (Strongly preferred).
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, risk-based auditing, and QMS implementation.
• Working knowledge of FTA 15 Elements and Buy America/Build America requirements
• Ability to assess complex systems, analyze root causes, and identify systemic risks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level reporting.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to challenge non-compliance constructively.
• High level of integrity, independence, and professional judgment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a risk-based annual audit program covering project functions, package design and construction execution, partners, and suppliers.
• Plan, lead, and conduct internal, external, and third-party audits, ensuring objectivity and independence.
• Ensure audits align with ISO 9001, FTA requirements, client requirements, regulatory standards, and contractual obligations.
• Prepare audit plans, checklists, and sampling strategies appropriate to project complexity and risk profile.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the QMS and project-specific Quality Management Plans (QMPs).
• Verify implementation of documented procedures, processes, and controls across operational and project activities.
• Identify systemic gaps, trends, and recurring issues impacting quality performance.
• Audit compliance to Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) grant requirements and the FTA 15 Elements of a Project Management Plan (PMP).
• Lead assessment and classification of nonconformances, observations, and OFIs.
• Support root cause analysis and validation of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).
• Monitor effectiveness of corrective actions and elevate unresolved or repeated nonconformities.
• Prepare clear, concise audit reports for senior management, project leadership, and clients.
• Present audit outcomes, risk exposures, and improvement recommendations to leadership forums.
• Track and report audit KPIs, trends, and closure status.
• Interface with clients, certification bodies, regulators, and partners during audits.
• Promote a strong quality culture and ethical, independent audit practices across the organization.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quality Management, Business, or related discipline

Tools

Job description

Job Description:

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Quality Audit Manager to join our team! In this role you will get to work on the premier infrastructure project in the Country, as well as receive all of the benefits of working for Parsons! This Program is a comprehensive set of rail investments that will improve commuter and intercity services, add needed resiliency and, in its later stages, create new capacity between Newark NJ and NYC.

Program background

The Gateway Program is the most urgent infrastructure program in the country – a comprehensive set of rail investments that will improve commuter and intercity services, add needed resiliency and, in its later stages, create new capacity between Newark, New Jersey and New York City, the busiest section of the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The first phase of the Gateway Program includes the Hudson Tunnel Project (HTP), which includes the construction of a new two-track tunnel under the Hudson River connecting to Penn Station New York as well as the full rehabilitation of the existing 110-year-old North River Tunnel. The Gateway Development Commission (GDC), established through bi-state legislation, is responsible for the financing and development of the Hudson Tunnel Project.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Develop and maintain a risk-based annual audit program coveringprogram functions, package design and construction execution, partners, and suppliers.

• Plan, lead, and conduct internal, external, and third-party audits, ensuringobjectivity and independence.

• Ensure audits align with ISO 9001, FTA requirements, client requirements, regulatory standards, and contractual obligations.

• Prepare audit plans, checklists, and sampling strategies appropriate to project complexity and risk profile.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of the QMS and project-specific Quality

• Management Plans (QMPs).

• Verify implementation of documented procedures, processes, and controlsacross operational and project activities.

• Identify systemic gaps, trends, and recurring issues impacting qualityperformance.

• Audit compliance to Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) grant requirements and the FTA 15 Elements of a Project Management Plan(PMP), including interfaces between quality, risk, cost, schedule,procurement, and construction.

• Plan and execute audits related to But America /Build America (BABA) compliance, including:- Material sourcing and domestic content requirements- Supplier certifications and supporting documentation- Waiver applicability and approval records- Ensuring proper control of changes and maintenance of documentation records- Traceability from procurement through installation

• Lead assessment and classification of nonconformances, observations, andopportunities for improvement (OFIs).

• Support root cause analysis and validation of Corrective and PreventiveActions (CAPA).

• Monitor effectiveness of corrective actions and elevate unresolved orrepeated nonconformities.

• Assess and communicate potential impacts of identified quality issues onproject risk, cost growth, and schedule performance, consistent with FTAoversight expectations.

• Prepare clear, concise audit reports for senior management, projectleadership, and clients.

• Present audit outcomes, risk exposures, and improvementrecommendations to leadership forums.

• Track and report audit KPIs, trends, and closure status.

• Act as a subject matter expert on quality auditing, ISO standards, and compliance expectations.

• Provide guidance and coaching to project and functional teams on audit readiness and quality best practices.

• Interface with clients, certification bodies, regulators, and partners during audits.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives driven by audit findings and lessons learned.

• Contribute to updates of corporate quality policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.

• Promote a strong quality culture and ethical, independent audit practices across the organization.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quality Management, Business, or related discipline.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in quality management, auditing, or compliance, preferably in engineering, infrastructure, construction, or professional services environments.

• Demonstrated experience leading audits on complex projects or multi-location organizations.

• Certification: ISO 9001 Lead Auditor (Strongly preferred).

• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, risk-based auditing, and QMSimplementation.

• Working knowledge of FTA 15 Elements and Buy America/Build America requirements

• Ability to assess complex systems, analyze root causes, and identify systemic risks.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level reporting.

• Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to challenge non-compliance constructively.

• High level of integrity, independence, and professional judgment.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) or equivalent

Security Clearance Requirement:

NoneThis position is part of our Corporate team.For over 80 years, Parsons Corporation, has shaped the future of the defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure markets. Our employees work in a close-knit team environment to find new, innovative ways to deliver smart solutions that are used and valued by customers around the world. By combining unique technologies with deep domain expertise across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, transportation, smart cities, and more, we're providing tomorrow's solutions today.Salary Range: $125,100.00 - $225,200.00We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars!

Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.