Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer

WA River Protection Solutions; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanford Tank Waste Operations in Richland, WA seeks a Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer to join its SQA program. Under limited supervision, you will serve as SME for DFLAW and ITDC, ensuring quality standards across the software lifecycle and supporting metrics and lessons learned.

You will collaborate with engineering, nuclear safety, operations, procurement and CAS to drive improvement, perform QA reviews, oversee software procurement, develop test plans, and mentor junior staff in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science or related field with 8+ years of related experience.
• Grade 20 requires 10 years; Grade 21 requires 12 years; relevant experience counts.
• Experience with software QA, lifecycle, and DOE/NQA-1 knowledge preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct QA reviews and surveillances of software documentation and V&V reports.
• Implement DOE O 414.1E, 10 CFR 830, and NQA 1 requirements within the SQA program.
• Maintain a graded approach for software oversight.
• Oversee software procurement and development activities.
• Develop and review SQA and software lifecycle procedures.
• Support CAS activities including corrective actions, assessments and metrics.
• Log and manage software issues; provide responsive user support.
• Develop test plans, procedures, and scripts; support upgrades.
• Use Power BI to track performance trends.
• Participate in audits, surveillances, readiness reviews, and planning.
• Collaborate with engineering, nuclear safety, operations, and regulators.
• Provide technical guidance to junior staff.

Skills

QA

Software testing

V&V

SQA SME

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science or related field

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Title Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Position Number 41592

Company Hanford Tank Waste Operations

City/State Richland, WA

Location 200E

Posted 10/22/2026

Closes 11/05/2026

Regular/Temporary Regular

Full/Part-Time Full-Time

Job Responsibilities/Duties

The anticipated start date for this position is dependent upon operational and training needs and could be scheduled as late as April 2027.

Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C) leads the nation's largest and most complex radioactive waste cleanup effort. Every day, our teams work to safely remove, treat, and dispose of 56 million gallons of legacy tank waste at the Hanford Site in Richland, Washington.

When you join H2C, you become part of a team dedicated to creating "The Solution Today for a Better Tomorrow." Guided by our Vision, Mission, Values, and Behaviors, we work together with integrity, innovation, and accountability. We empower our workforce, encourage continuous improvement, and celebrate achievements as we make measurable progress toward tank waste cleanup and long term site closure. At H2C, your work has a meaningful impact—today and for future generations.

H2C seeks a Software Quality Assurance Engineer who, under minimal supervision, will serve as a Quality Assurance Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Direct Feed Low Activity Waste (DFLAW) work scope and the Integrated Tank Disposition Contract (ITDC). This role ensures the effective implementation and maintenance of quality standards, processes, and procedures across the software life cycle, and supports assessments, metrics, trending, and lessons learned. The SQA Engineer collaborates closely with engineering, nuclear safety, operations, procurement, CAS, and other project functions to "Make It Better"—driving continuous improvement and compliant execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct QA reviews and surveillances of software documentation, development records, and verification and validation (V&V) reports.
• Implement DOE O 414.1E, 10 CFR 830, and NQA 1 requirements within the H2C SQA program.
• Maintain and apply a graded approach for software oversight.
• Perform oversight of software procurement and development activities.
• Develop and review SQA and software lifecycle procedures.
• Support CAS activities including corrective actions, assessments, trending, metrics, and lessons learned.
• Log and manage software issues through problem management systems; provide responsive user support.
• Develop test plans, procedures, and scripts; support testing and documentation of upgrades and maintenance.
• Use data analytics tools (e.g., Power BI) to track and communicate performance trends.
• Participate in audits, surveillances, readiness reviews, and project planning.
• Collaborate with engineering, nuclear safety, operations, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance to junior staff.

Required Qualifications

Grade 19:
Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in Engineering, Science or related field and 8 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Grade 20:
Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in Engineering, Science or related field and 10 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Note the essential duties for this grade level are like that of the previous grade level, however the scope of responsibility is larger, and the expected level of performance is increased.

Grade 21:
Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in Engineering, Science or related field and 12 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Note the essential duties for this grade level are like that of the previous grade level, however the scope of responsibility is significantly larger, and the expected level of performance is greatly increased.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting DFLAW operations or Hanford projects; familiarity with ITDC scope.
• Previous experience in Department of Energy (DOE) O414.1D and American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME NQA-1.
• Familiarity with industry consensus codes and standards for software procurement, development and life cycle management such as IEEE, IEC, ISA or ANS.
• Previous or current qualification as an Auditor or Lead Auditor
• Knowledge of software engineering methods such as Agile
• Knowledge of software procurement quality (supplier qualification, acceptance testing, deliverable reviews).
• Familiarity with EFCOG guidance, ASME committees/standards relevant to SQA.
• Certifications in quality or software (e.g., ASQ CQE/CQA, ISTQB, CMMI exposure).
• Previous experience in corrective action, causes analysis, and extent of condition evaluations.

Compensation & Benefits

In accordance with the company's philosophy on compensation for exempt and salaried non-exempt employees, H2C takes into consideration a variety of factors when determining initial grade and salary to include assigned job scope and responsibility, a candidate's qualifications as compared to internal comparators performing in a similar role, and the external labor market. A salary offer will be made at the appropriate grade level and within the targeted hiring range posted according to these factors. Note a candidate's prior salary history will not be taken into consideration.

Hiring Range Minimum: $119,813

Hiring Range Maximum: $183,050

H2C offers a comprehensive benefits package to include medical/dental/vision, short-and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) with employer match, and paid time off. For a full list of benefits please visit https://hmis.hanford.gov/hr/page.cfm/HEWTBenefits

Expectations & Work Environment

• A business casual dress work environment: jeans are permissible (restrictions may apply).
• Opportunity for work/life balance: a standard 4 x 10 work schedule, allowing more personal time to enjoy life outside of the office (other schedules and/or shift work may be required).

Note: employment at H2C involves working in the office or in the field depending on the role.

Relocation Funding Provided Yes

U.S. Citizenship Required Yes

Clearance Required No

Job Classification Exempt

Shift Work Required No

As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, H2C abides by federal statutory requirements of 41 CFR § 60-300.5 VEVRAA Protected Veterans, 41 CFR § 60-741.5 Workers with Disabilities, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and state and local requirements.

These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on race, color, religion, age, sex, and national origin. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants and employees have rights under Federal and State Employment Laws and are protected against discrimination. To view information regarding these rights, please click on these links: