Quality Engineer 3 OR 4

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 106,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Security LLC seeks a Quality Engineer to support IQPA-PIQ with QA programs in nuclear facility construction. The role emphasizes audits, CGD/NQA-1 controls, and interfacing with multiple teams to ensure compliance and timely execution.

The position may be filled at QE-3 or QE-4 level, with higher responsibilities assigned if hired at the senior level. Onsite in Los Alamos, NM with potential shift variations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field with related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of QA programs and NQA-1 requirements.
• Experience leading audits, assessments, surveillances and observations.
• Ability to provide management with performance data and findings.

Responsibilities

• Apply quality assurance principles to construction and fabrication activities.
• Lead audits, surveillances, and nonconformance investigations.
• Interpret drawings, specifications, and QA documentation in NQA-1 context.
• Collaborate across teams and deliver performance data to leadership.
• Manage schedules to meet requirements, deadlines, and budgets.

Skills

Quality engineering

Audits & surveillance

NQA-1 knowledge

Welding & NDE

Customer relationships

MS Office & VPN

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

MS Office

VPN

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

Los Alamos National Laboratory—one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions in the world—is looking for experienced professionals in the Institutional Quality Performance Assurance Plutonium Infrastructure Quality (IQPA-PIQ) group. All positions will report to the IQPA-PIQ group leader. The PIQ mission is to support the construction execution of the modernization of the TA-55 infrastructure and nuclear facility capabilities throughout the Pajarito Security Corridor.

This position will be filled at either the Quality Engineer 3 or 4 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Typical responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Expert level construction quality knowledge of and experience using national consensus standards of Quality Assurance such as 10CFR830, ASME, ISO, and ANSI/ASME NQA-1 2008/2009a, including the implementation of these codes/standards.
• Advanced technical knowledge of the application of engineering, procurement, construction and turnover practices sufficient to comprehend specified QA requirements for these disciplines, including Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) and the application of the graded approach in an NQA-1 environment.
• Advanced Level technical knowledge in the manufacturing and/or fabrication sector.
• Advanced experience participating in and supporting construction quality assessments, (audits, surveillances, QA observations and/or cause analysis). Advanced ability to understand and interpret various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, specifications, and schematics.
• Demonstrated advanced experience facilitating communications and collaboration with all levels of personnel across multiple organizations to solve complex performance challenges and providing tactical, forward-looking support leading to project success.
• Proven ability to plan, prioritize, and schedule work to ensure completion in accordance with requirements, deadlines, and budget.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Quality Engineer 3 ($106,400 - $176,000)

• Advanced experience with fabrication and testing facilities providing structural steel, gloveboxes, piping systems etc.
• Experience leading and/or conducting audits, assessments, surveillances, and observations.
• Experience reviewing procedures and documentation for adherence to Quality Assurance requirements (i.e., Reviewing quality requirements contained in procurement documents and Commercial Grade Dedications).
• Experience providing management team with performance data (metrics) as required.
• Experience developing and presenting material associated with documented findings and/or opportunities for improvement.
• Experience supporting nonconformance and issues management reporting.
• Experience serving as a primary interface between assigned projects and different teams.
• Technical knowledge of welding, NDE (LT, LP, UT, HeT) and extensive experience with, construction and fabrication quality assurance/control activities including, but not necessarily limited to; all aspects of NQA-1 2008/2009A.
• Experience developing and maintaining professional relationships with customers.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office (including Calendar and Teams), VPN applications, storing and retrieving electronic records.
• Ability to obtain a DOE "Q" Clearance, which typically requires U.S. citizenship.

Quality Engineer 4 ($128,000 - $215,900)

• Expert-level experience in the development and implementation of quality assurance and control programs.
• Expert level support for the implementation of Commercial Grade Dedication of materials, equipment and services
• Demonstrated experience providing mentoring and training of junior quality engineers in means and methods of performing and reporting construction oversight using pro-active methods.
• Advanced level technical knowledge of, welding, NDE (LT, LP, UT, HeT) and extensive experience with, construction and fabrication quality assurance/control activities including, but not necessarily limited to; all aspects of NQA-1 2008/2009A
• Experience providing expert level construction quality assurance/control management of multiple projects.
• Experience reviewing and collaborating with procurement personnel the preparation of procurement documentation and identification of quality assurance and quality engineering requirements.
• Experience reviewing subcontractor submittals for compliance with procurement documents and engineering standards.
• Experience conducting internal and external design reviews for quality attributes.
• Experience providing construction quality coordination with multiple projects, and assisting junior quality engineers in successful completion of their assignments.
• Experience participating in nonconformance reporting and corrective action processes.
• Experience performing as Lead Auditor in the coordination, and/or conduct of construction surveillances and QA observations of quality-affecting engineering, procurement, construction, and ancillary project and fabricator activities.

Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, QE or Industrial Systems Engineering or a related field and 8 year of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, QE or Industrial Systems Engineering or a related field and 12 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Advanced relevant degree preferred.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of 10 CFR 830 with experience in nuclear processing and or high hazard facility operating requirements, safety/authorization basis and/or Conduct of Operations planning and execution.
• Experience in classified matter protection and control and classified computing.
• Nationally recognized quality engineering related certification such as American Society of Quality's Certified Quality Engineer, Reliability Engineer, or equivalent.
• Certified Quality Auditor, NQA-1 Lead Auditor certification or similar credential.

Work Schedule:

May include night shifts, weekend shifts or swing shifts. #ShiftWork

Work Location:

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position Commitment:

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China—including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau—as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.

Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2: Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible at the higher level to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on