Senior Quality Engineer

SST Direct; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical benefits

Job summary

SST Direct is seeking an experienced Senior Quality Engineer to shape and scale a growing Quality organization within a fast-moving R&D environment.

You will drive early-stage quality controls, partner with engineering and operations, and design the QMS for scalable, compliant operations as the team moves toward commercialization.

Qualifications

• Experience in nuclear quality assurance across R&D, commercial nuclear operations, manufacturing, or a combination of these environments.
• Broad quality engineering experience spanning design, manufacturing, supplier quality, testing, and documentation.
• Experience building, implementing, or significantly improving a Quality Management System (QMS).
• Demonstrated ability to independently identify, investigate, and resolve complex quality issues.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an owner for quality challenges across R&D, engineering, manufacturing, testing, and early commercial activities.
• Partner with engineering and technical teams to develop practical, compliant solutions.
• Develop defensible approaches for regulatory and quality compliance without excessive process barriers.
• Design and build the QMS from the ground up and roadmap for future growth.
• Build prevention-focused quality systems that scale with the company growth.
• Mentor engineers and quality professionals to establish structure, tools, and processes.

Skills

Nuclear QA

QMS & Regulatory

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis & automation

Regulatory compliance

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Quality Engineer to help build and scale the Quality organization within a fast-moving, highly technical R&D environment.

This is not a traditional quality role focused solely on maintaining established processes. This position will serve as a key partner to Quality leadership, taking hands‑on ownership of critical quality challenges while helping design the systems, processes, tools, and organizational structure needed for future commercial operations.

During the first 6-12 months, this individual will be expected to independently resolve significant quality issues, establish strong partnerships with engineering and operations teams, implement early‑stage quality controls, and develop a roadmap for transitioning toward a mature, scalable Quality Management System (QMS).

Location: Torrance, CA

Salary: $150,000 - $200,000

Benefits: Comprehensive medical benefits

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a solutions-oriented owner for quality challenges across R&D, engineering, manufacturing, testing, and early commercial activities.
• Partner directly with engineering and technical teams to understand constraints and develop practical, compliant solutions.
• Develop defensible approaches for demonstrating regulatory and quality compliance without creating unnecessary process barriers.
• Help design and build the Quality Management System (QMS) from the ground up, establishing immediate quality fundamentals while developing a roadmap for future growth.
• Build prevention-focused quality systems that scale effectively as the organization moves from R&D into commercial operations.
• Apply nuclear quality assurance principles using sound technical and regulatory judgment.
• Evaluate regulatory intent and determine the appropriate level of quality rigor based on risk, safety, and program maturity.
• Serve as a technical Quality representative during interactions with regulators, auditors, customers, and other external stakeholders.
• Establish quality processes across design, manufacturing, suppliers, testing, documentation, and configuration control.
• Identify systemic quality risks and develop corrective and preventive solutions.
• Use data, automation, AI, and other modern tools responsibly to improve quality processes, traceability, efficiency, and decision-making.
• Mentor engineers and quality professionals and help establish the structure, tools, processes, and expectations of a growing Quality organization.
• Promote a culture where Quality is viewed as a partner in safe and effective execution rather than simply a compliance gatekeeper.
• Support the future development and leadership of the Quality team as the organization continues to scale.

Basic Qualifications

• Prior experience in nuclear quality assurance, including R&D, commercial nuclear operations, manufacturing, or a combination of these environments.
• Broad quality engineering experience spanning areas such as:
• Design and engineering
• Manufacturing
• Supplier quality
• Testing and inspection
• Quality systems and documentation
• Experience building, implementing, or significantly improving a Quality Management System rather than solely operating within an established system.
• Demonstrated ability to independently identify, investigate, and resolve complex quality issues.
• Experience working within incomplete or developing processes and systems.
• Strong technical judgment, problem‑solving skills, and ability to make decisions under pressure.
• Ability to work effectively in a high‑intensity, rapidly evolving technical environment.
• Strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills. INDH