U.S. Nuclear Quality Assurance Manager – Advanced Reactor & MOX Fuel Programs

newcleo; Aiken (SC); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

PTO 20–25 days

Medical, Dental & Vision

Job summary

newcleo is seeking a senior U.S. Nuclear Quality Assurance Manager to lead the Quality Assurance Program and QMS in line with corporate policies. You will oversee MOX fuel activity, supplier quality, and regulatory interactions to ensure safety and compliance across advanced reactor programs.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage CAP/NCR processes, and promote a strong quality culture while aligning with NRC, DOE, and ASME standards. A robust background in nuclear quality is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 20 years in Quality Assurance, supplier quality, audit programs, or regulatory compliance in highly regulated industries.
• Experience with nuclear, energy, aerospace, or defense sectors is highly desirable.
• Experience interacting with regulators and external auditors.
• MOX fuel or advanced reactor program experience is a plus.
• Lead Auditor certifications (IRCA/ASQ) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the U.S. Quality Assurance Program and QMS per applicable standards.
• Lead NRC inspections, audits, and regulatory interactions.
• Oversee supplier quality, product qualification, and testing activities for MOX fuel programs.
• Coordinate corrective actions, CAP, NCR, and Lessons Learned processes.
• Promote Nuclear Quality Culture across the organization and ensure readiness for future projects.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Regulatory Compliance

Leadership

Audits

Process Improvement

Nuclear Industry

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Master's preferred

Lead Auditor certification preferred

Tools

NQA-1 Knowledge

Regulatory Guides

CAP/NCR Systems

Job description

The role is responsible for the implementation, administration, and continual effectiveness of the U.S. Quality Assurance Program (QAP) and associated Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with Corporate QHSE policies and standards.

The position provides independent oversight of advanced reactor development programs, MOX fuel design, qualification, fabrication, testing, transportation and supplier quality activities. The role ensures compliance with applicable U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations, Department of Energy (DOE) requirements, ASME Codes, ASME NQA-1 standards, and other applicable federal, state, and industry requirements.

The U.S. Nuclear Quality Assurance Manager shall promote a strong Nuclear Quality Culture across the organization and ensure that quality requirements are effectively integrated into all phases of project and operational activities while maintaining alignment with newcleo Group policies, standards, and strategic objectives

Main Activities:

On a day-to-day basis, the role is responsible for some or all of the following activities:

Quality Program Leadership

• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the U.S. Quality Assurance Program and Quality Management System in accordance with:
• 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B
• 10 CFR Part 21
• ASME NQA-1
• Applicable NRC Regulatory Guides
• ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III
• DOE quality requirements, where applicable
• Corporate Quality Policies and Standards
• Ensure effective implementation of quality requirements across advanced reactor and MOX fuel programs.
• Ensure application of a documented graded approach commensurate with safety significance, complexity, risk and regulatory importance of structures, systems, components and activities.
• Ensure that conditions adverse to quality and significant conditions adverse to quality are identified, documented, evaluated, and corrected in accordance with approved corrective action processes.
• Monitor and report Quality performance indicators established by Corporate QHSE and U.S. management.

Regulatory Compliance & Licensing Support

• Provide expert guidance on the interpretation and application of applicable regulatory, quality, and industry standards.
• Act as Quality Assurance Lead supporting:
• Advanced Reactor Licensing activities
• Construction Permit and Operating License applications
• Design Certification reviews
• Environmental reviews and permitting activities
• Fuel-cycle licensing activities
• Supplier qualification and oversight programs
• Serve as the primary Quality representative during NRC inspections, audits, assessments, and regulatory interactions.
• Support development and maintenance of licensing-basis quality documentation.

MOX Fuel Program Quality Oversight

• Establish and oversee quality assurance requirements for MOX fuel activities.
• Verify compliance with applicable fuel qualification requirements.
• Support fuel qualification programs and associated testing activities.
• Oversee quality requirements for fuel-related suppliers, laboratories, and manufacturing facilities.

Supplier Quality & Nuclear Supply Chain

• Act as an Intelligent Customer in the evaluation and oversight of suppliers and contractors.
• Lead supplier qualification, surveillance, audit, source inspection, and performance monitoring activities.
• Ensure implementation of quality requirements throughout the nuclear supply chain for safety-related and important-to-safety items and services.
• Assess supplier capability to meet technical, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee commercial grade dedication programs and supplier oversight activities where applicable to safety-related applications.

Assessment, Audit & Corrective Action Programs

• Lead internal and external audits, assessments, and surveillance activities.
• Coordinate preparation for NRC inspections and regulatory audits.
• Ensure timely identification, documentation, investigation, and resolution of quality issues.
• Establish and maintain a Nuclear Corrective Action Program (CAP), Non-Conformance Reporting (NCR), and Lessons Learned process.
• Track and verify effectiveness of corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.

Organizational Quality Leadership

• Work closely with all newcleo Group entities to ensure consistent implementation of quality requirements and sharing of best practices.
• Promote Nuclear Quality Culture, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Coordinate document control, records retention and records management systems in accordance with regulatory, licensing and corporate requirements..
• Prepare reports, metrics, management reviews, and quality performance analyses for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support organizational readiness for future construction, commissioning, fuel fabrication, and operating activities.

Stop Work Authority

• Has the authority to stop work, suspend activities, reject items, withhold release of quality records and elevate quality or nuclear safety concerns without prior management approval whenever compliance, quality or safety may be compromised

Desired background

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Master's Degree preferred.
• Lead Auditor qualification or current/past certification through IRCA, ASQ, or equivalent recognized organization preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 20 years of progressively responsible experience in Quality Assurance, supplier quality functions, audit programs, or regulatory compliance initiatives, within the nuclear, energy, aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated industries.
• Minimum 10 years experience in the nuclear industry.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Quality Assurance Programs in engineering, manufacturing, construction, or nuclear fuel-cycle environments.
• Experience interacting with regulatory authorities and external auditors.
• Experience supporting advanced reactor programs, fuel-cycle facilities, or nuclear new-build projects is highly desirable.

Technical Knowledge

• 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B
• 10 CFR Part 21
• ASME NQA-1
• NRC Regulatory Guides
• DOE Quality Assurance requirements
• ASME Section III
• 10 CFR Part 52
• NUREG-0800
• Regulatory Guide 1.28
• Regulatory Guide 1.33
• Commercial Grade Dedication
• Configuration Management principles
• Nuclear Safety Culture principles
• Nuclear supply-chain quality requirements
• Corrective Action Programs (CAP)
• Non-Conformance Reporting systems
• Root Cause Analysis methodologies
• Quality management systems and records management
• Ferrous materials and metallurgical principles
• Welding, forging, machining, fabrication, heat treatment, and special processes
• MOX fuel manufacturing and fuel-cycle quality requirements (preferred)

Certifications (Preferred)

• ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)
• ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)
• NQA-1 Lead Auditor Qualification
• Certified Nuclear Quality Assurance Professional (where applicable)
• Business-fluent English (written and spoken) required.
• Additional proficiency in Italian or French is considered an advantage.
• Ability to communicate effectively with regulators, suppliers, contractors, and international stakeholders.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, as well as a 401(k) plan with 4% company match.
• Generous paid time off, starting at 20 days per year and increasing to 25 days after 3 years of service.
• A mission-driven environment focused on delivering scalable, low-carbon energy solutions to meet growing global energy demand.
• A collaborative and international culture that values technical excellence, transparency, innovation, and cross-functional teamwork.