Quality Engineer & EHS Specialist

Direct Energy Business; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

NRG Energy in Houston seeks an experienced Quality Assurance (QA) and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) leader to drive compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements. You will manage QA programs, lead ISO audits, and collaborate with plants, suppliers, and maintenance teams to improve product quality and environmental performance.

The role focuses on leading continuous improvement, data-driven reporting, and training to ensure safety and quality are embedded in daily

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years in Quality Assurance for customer product manufacturing.
• 5+ years in Quality Management and Quality Audit systems.
• Strong record of using Quality Systems in manufacturing, engineering, supplier, or distributor environments.
• Requires valid state driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance activities and drive continuous improvement in product quality and processes.
• Manage QA/QC documentation, NCRs/RCA, and corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Lead ISO audits and ensure compliance with OSHA/EPA regulations and internal policies.
• Oversee calibration and maintenance of measuring and testing equipment.
• Coordinate customer feedback surveys and report KPIs and quality metrics to management.
• Develop quality-related training and collaborate with suppliers and subcontractors.
• Drive Lean Six Sigma initiatives to reduce defects and improve first-pass yield.
• Provide leadership to staff for proper quality checks, signoffs, and procedures.

Skills

Quality Management

EHS Leadership

Lean Six Sigma

ISO Audits

SAP/ERP

Regulatory Compliance

Data Analysis

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or applied science

ASQ CQE

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

Date: Jun 26, 2026
Location:
HOUSTON, TX, US, 77034
Company: NRG

Job Summary

Responsible for leading quality assurance and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) programs.
Ensures compliance with quality standards, OSHA/EPA regulations, and internal policies.
Drives continuous improvement in product quality, workplace safety, and environmental performance.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Quality -
• Lead challenge reviews of travelers with the plant, ETS, and CRS to peer-check the quality plans before work begins.
• Create/develop quality documentation including the following:
• Create/edit data sheets by integrating information from drawings and manuals
• Generate maintenance instructions
• Perform NCR’s/RCA’s – Lead the effort to author, drive the teams, and document the results to ensure quality issues are addressed with actions to prevent recurrence.
• Lead customer feedback surveys - Oversee the effort to coordinate the requests sent to the customers, maximize the percentage of responses, and compile the results
• Lead ISO Audit – Schedule, coordinate, and work with auditors and shop personnel to ensure the CRS remains compliant.
• Ensure compliance of measuring and testing equipment – Oversee process to maintain calibration of the measuring and test equipment
• Lead the weekly traveler inspection process – Assign responsibilities, perform inspections, compile the results, and report out on the auditing of travelers
• Review the travelers after completion to ensure that all quality steps have been followed.
• Monitor quality performance, gathering relevant data, collate and analyze for statistical reporting as required.
• Develop and maintain detailed quality reporting structures including preparing written reports, slide presentations, and discussing results with management for organizational transparency and continuous improvement of KPIs and quality improvement metrics.
• Identify gaps in the quality process. Develop new and improve existing processes by implementing standardized best-practice procedures.
• Formulate goals, objectives, policies, and systems enhancing QA/QC to improve performance for related activities at CRS.
• Identify projects that would help the culture grow with a quality mindset.
• Develop relationships with suppliers subcontracting to CRS. Visit supplier shops, perform quality reviews and drive RCA for quality related events for work sub-contracted out and performed at these repair shops.
• Identify and deliver relevant quality-related training needs to enhance performance.
• Monitor overall quality performance, identify improvement opportunities for lesson’s learned communications, training opportunities, and year over year continuous improvement.
• Ensure quality action plans and procedures are properly understood, carried out and evaluated.
• Provide leadership to staff to ensure the proper completion of quality checks, signoffs, check lists and processes.
• Participate in external quality reviews at plants for planned outages.
• Be the point to contact (POC) and interface with the customer (plants) on all quality issues.
• Improve process quality using Lean Six Sigma Tools.
• Oversee the following metrics: Defect rate reduction and first-pass yield improvement, Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), TRIR and incident reduction metrics, Audit findings closure rate.

Key Responsibilities – EHS

• Oversee EHS program and ensure OSHA/EPA compliance.
• Lead safety audits, inspections, and incident investigations.
• Track safety metrics (TRIR, near misses, recordables).
• Oversee hazardous materials and environmental compliance.

Safety Culture & Engagement

• Lead behavior-based safety (BBS) programs.
• Conduct safety meetings, training, and toolbox talks.
• Drive employee engagement in safety reporting and prevention.

Working Conditions

• Normal office and maintenance shop environment.
• Some overtime required as special projects arise.
• Travel to plants, contractors/vendors, and corporate offices will be required.

Minimum Requirements

• 5 plus years’ of experience in Quality Assurance for customer product manufacturer.
• 5 plus years’ of experience in Quality Management and Quality Audit systems.
• A strong record of success in utilizing Quality Systems in manufacturing, engineering, supplier, or distributor environments.
• Requires valid state driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an applied science or engineering field is preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Green Belt similar quality focused program strongly preferred.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with SAP or ERP systems
• OSHA 30
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

Additional Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to manage complex projects to closure, attention to detail, and creative problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively perform in a matrix organizational environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and deliver positive outcomes in organizations beyond their direct control.
• Demonstrated computer literacy including internet, Excel, Work, SAP, etc.
• Exhibits a passion for NRG’s Power Values, Initiatives, and Corporate Direction. Demonstrates alignment with core values in a learning organization.
• Exhibits socially responsible practices.
• Demonstrates accountability for own decisions and takes responsibility for outcomes.
• Demonstrates track record of personal growth and professional development.

Physical Requirements

• Combination of shop floor and office responsibilities.
• High interaction with operations, leadership, and contractors.
• Occasionally requires lifting as appropriate to perform duties and responsibilities.
• Requires standing, sitting, walking, kneeling, twisting, climbing stairs and ladders, and entering plant equipment to access, inspect, or collect data on plant equipment.
• Ability to climb multiple flights of stairs to service / inspect turbine deck and work being performed.
• Requires wearing personal protective safety equipment (respirators, safety glasses, hard hat, appropriate footwear, ear plugs, etc.).
• May be required to work around rotating and energized equipment, hazardous materials and chemicals.

NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. EOE AA M/F/Protected Veteran Status/Disability. Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.
EEO is the Law Poster (The poster can be found at http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf)

Nearest Major Market: Houston