Senior Manager, Nuclear Quality Assurance - 518924

Tennessee Valley Authority; Chattanooga (TN); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga/Oak Ridge seeks a Senior Manager, Nuclear Quality Assurance to lead the development and maintenance of robust QA programs for New Nuclear Deployment and related projects. You will oversee audits, supplier QA, and site oversight to ensure compliance with NRC regulations and industry standards.

The role requires strategic leadership, risk-informed decision making, and the ability to manage a diverse QA team across multiple sites, while driving continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related science is preferred.
• Minimum 1 year in QA verification activities; nuclear experience preferred.
• Knowledge of NRC regulations, INPO guidelines and related standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Nuclear Quality Assurance Plan and QA procedures.
• Audit and oversee TVA QA programs at corporate and site levels.
• Lead QA staff (5–10 direct; up to 20+ for large projects).
• Manage vendor audits and inspection activities; oversee supplier QA.
• Review procurement documents for QA requirements with graded approach.
• Implement QA training and maintain effectiveness of that training.
• Authorize stop-work actions to control nonconforming materials.

Skills

Leadership

Quality Assurance

Auditing

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related science

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

NQA-1 Knowledge

BPVC Knowledge

Job description

Senior Manager, Nuclear Quality Assurance - 518924

Organization: Nuclear Power Group

Department: Quality Assurance

Location: Chattanooga, TN & Oak Ridge, TN (Work location will be split up to 50% each between Chattanooga corporate office and Clinch River new nuclear site in Oak Ridge, TN. Position may transition fully to Oak Ridge, TN based on business needs.)

Relocation benefits are offered for this position and will be aligned with federal travel regulations.

Salary: Competitive

The ideal candidate is a proven leader who will build, sustain, and continuously improve a robust Quality Assurance Program for TVA's New Nuclear Deployment Services and new nuclear site projects in alignment with 10 CFR 50 Appendix B and associated Regulatory Guides and standards. They bring relevant power plant experience, strong technical judgment, and a track record of developing and/or implementing QA programs that drive effective oversight across design, construction, and/or operations phases. They are adept at directing risk‑informed audits, assessments, and other oversight activities; provide oversight of supplier and contractor QA/QC functions; and ensure identified issues are effectively resolved to closure. This individual brings strategic thinking, meticulous attention to detail, sound judgment, collaborative approach, and the ability to uphold the highest standards of nuclear quality assurance. This is a rare opportunity to establish the foundation for quality excellence as the industry advances into a new nuclear era.

Position Purpose

The Sr. Mgr., Nuclear Quality Assurance reports directly to the Director, Nuclear Quality Assurance, and is responsible for the development and maintenance of TVA Nuclear quality assurance programs (and/or New Nuclear QAP), performance of the quality assurance functions at the assigned site, to ensure compliance and effective implementation of regulations, commitments, and policies, including those Quality Assurance programs that govern activities performed by Site Quality Assurance organization personnel in oversight of day-to-day quality assurance activities important to safety. The Sr. Manager, Nuclear Quality Assurance may also manage the training programs for Nuclear QA personnel and the quality internal audit program.

The position may also review and support qualification of suppliers to ensure final acceptance of all safety-related material for all nuclear plants and/or New Nuclear projects to comply with applicable specifications and requirements and manage the vendor audit program. This position description applies to the QA Management positions for Operating Fleet QA, New Nuclear QA, and QA Services (Vendor Oversight).

Job Dimensions

Supervisory Responsibility — Directly lead ~5-10 Quality Assurance staff for the Operating Fleet (up to 20 QA staff for New Nuclear QA projects, plus additional contractors).

Budget Responsibility —Develop and manage an annual budget of up to $2M for the respective portion of the Fleet Quality Assurance Organization

Principal Accountabilities

Reference TVA-NQA-PLN89-A and/or NNP-TR-001-NP-A

Develop, review, maintain, and administer the Nuclear Quality Assurance Plan and QA organization procedures required to ensure that TVA activities provide the required degree of safety and reliability.

(Fleet QA/New Nuclear QA) Direct the oversight of TVA activities by auditing, inspecting, assessing and observing the conduct of activities at the Corporate and/or nuclear plant sites to ensure that they provide the required high degree of safety and reliability and are carried out consistent with applicable laws, regulations, regulatory commitments, licenses, and other requirements. The depth and scope of oversight is dependent on the item’s or subject’s importance to safety and performance history.

(Fleet QA/New Nuclear QA) Plan, conduct, and report the results of Fleet and/or site audits and follow-up on identified adverse conditions to ensure appropriate corrective action has been taken.

(QASM) Develop and implement the vendor audit services QA Program which includes the audit, source inspection and surveillance of supplier activities, and developing and maintaining the Acceptable Suppliers List (ASL) of approved vendors.

(QASM) Direct the oversight of procured engineering services (offsite) including the review of procurement documents for QA requirements using graded approach criteria, in-depth technical and/or performance-based audits, pre-award surveys, and review of contractor QA programs.

(New Nuclear QA) Implement oversight of New Nuclear suppliers and contractors, ensuring that their QA and QC activities are properly executed under their respective QA programs.

(New Nuclear QA) Direct the oversight of the New Nuclear Quality Control inspection program, as required.

Implement upper-tier QA requirements for QA training, identify training needs for QA personnel, support the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of effectiveness of that training.

Audit the QA programs of TVA non-nuclear organizations which support nuclear quality-related activities.

Develop, maintain and improve quality methodologies to evaluate quality programs and technical programs based on observations and trending.

Analyze technical and quality programs to develop recommendations for senior management action. This includes oversight and independent analysis of trending results. Provide results to senior management. Advise senior management on solutions and alternatives to technical and quality problems to improve the effectiveness of implementation techniques.

Advise and interface with senior site and Fleet Center management on matters pertaining to quality to aid in the identification and resolution of items that could result in enforcement actions, reduce power generation, or endanger the health and safety of the public.

Authorize Stop Work or further processing, delivery, or installation or taking other comparable actions when warranted to control and/or prevent the use of nonconforming materials or continuance of activities adverse to quality.

Supports and participates in industry engagement through Nuclear Quality Management Leadership (NQML) initiatives and/or Nuclear Industry Evaluation Program (NIEP) activities, as required.

Manages and participates in audits of corporate and site organizations to evaluate auditor performance and program effectiveness.

Minimum Requirements

The minimum requirements below meet or exceed ANSI/ANS 3.1-2014 standards.

Education – Required to have a high school diploma or equivalent. A bachelor’s degree in engineering or related science is preferred.

Experience –Minimum required experience is 1 year in performance of quality verification activities. Preferred is four years related experience to include: two years nuclear power plant experience, one year supervisory or management experience and one year in the performance of quality verification activities. Experience and/or knowledge of NQA-1 quality standard and ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) requirements as desired.

Certification/License, etc. — A senior reactor operator/shift technical advisor license or certification is preferred. Other professional certifications (e.g. PE, PMP, etc.) including prior certification as a Lead Auditor are also desired.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities — Must possess excellent leadership skills, strong analysis and judgment to handle issues identified through QA activities. The incumbent must possess effective verbal and written communications skills. Must possess knowledge of NRC regulations, industry codes and standards, and INPO guidelines & practices. Must be able to obtain and maintain nuclear plant access. Candidate may be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance based on position / access requirements and essential job functions.

Special Requirements: Individuals who do not possess the formal educational and experience requirements specified for this position may be considered acceptable when other factors provide sufficient demonstration of required abilities. These other factors are to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and approved and documented by the senior management.

Equal Employment Opportunity

TVA is an Equal Opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding equal employment opportunities. Any applicant or employee who believes s/he has a discrimination claim (including harassment or retaliation) must contact TVA’s Equal Opportunity Compliance office within 45 calendar days of the event or action s/he believes to constitute discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

Drug-Free Workplace

All TVA Non-Nuclear employees are covered by TVA's Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program Plan, in accordance with Executive Order 12564, Public Law 100-71 and the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing. Information regarding the Drug Free Workplace Program can be found at www.samhsa.gov/workplace . TVA Non-Nuclear employees in Testing Designated Positions, including those performing safety-sensitive duties are also subject to random drug testing. TVA Nuclear employees are subject to random alcohol and drug tests in accordance with 10 CFR Part 26 as mandated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).