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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Nuclear Quality Assurance Specialist

💰 $85,000 - $140,000

EngineeringQuality AssuranceNuclearComplianceSafety

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a Nuclear Quality Assurance Specialist to lead and execute quality assurance and quality control activities for nuclear projects, components, and processes. This role enforces compliance with nuclear regulations (NQA‑1, 10 CFR, ASME, DOE/NRC requirements), manages vendor and in‑house audits, develops QA documentation, drives corrective action and continuous improvement, and serves as a subject matter expert for QA topics across engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and commissioning teams. Ideal candidates combine technical nuclear domain knowledge with strong program management, audit, and investigative skills.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Quality Engineer (manufacturing or nuclear supplier)
  • Nuclear Technician or Inspector with QA exposure
  • Compliance Specialist or Regulatory Affairs Associate

Advancement To:

  • Senior Nuclear Quality Assurance Specialist / Lead QA Engineer
  • QA Program Manager / Nuclear QA Manager
  • Nuclear Regulatory Affairs Manager or Director of Quality

Lateral Moves:

  • Nuclear Safety Analyst / Nuclear Safety Specialist
  • Supplier Quality Engineer / Vendor Quality Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, implement, and maintain the site or project nuclear Quality Assurance Program (QAP) in accordance with NQA‑1, NRC/DOE regulations, ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (Section III/III), 10 CFR Part 50/21, and applicable contractual requirements; update program documents to reflect regulatory and standard changes.
  • Plan, perform, and report internal and external quality audits (system, process, supplier/vendor) using risk‑based audit plans; track findings, verify corrective actions, and report metrics to leadership.
  • Lead supplier qualification, vendor surveillance, and source inspection activities to verify supplier conformance to nuclear specifications, QA requirements, and procurement documents; hold supplier corrective action close‑out authority where delegated.
  • Establish and maintain document control and configuration management processes for QA records, drawings, procedures, and design change packages; ensure controlled distribution and retention consistent with regulatory retention schedules.
  • Investigate nonconformances and deviations, perform root cause analysis (e.g., 5‑Why, fishbone, RCA methodology), generate corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and verify effectiveness of corrective actions.
  • Review, approve, or provide QA concurrence on procurement documents, technical specifications, vendor quality plans, test plans, and manufacturing procedures to ensure QA requirements are flowed down and enforced.
  • Provide QA oversight of manufacturing, welding, nondestructive examination (NDE), NDE qualification, heat treatment, and assembly activities to ensure compliance with codes, procedures, and acceptance criteria.
  • Manage calibration programs for inspection, test, and monitoring equipment; ensure traceability to national standards and maintain calibration records.
  • Evaluate and approve inspection test plans (ITPs), hold point requirements, and acceptance criteria for critical nuclear components and systems.
  • Provide QA support during installation, commissioning, testing, and turnover activities, including witnessing tests, documenting results, and ensuring completion of punch lists and required corrective actions.
  • Prepare, maintain, and present QA metrics, trend analyses, and management review materials to senior management and stakeholders; drive data‑driven continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Serve as the designated subject matter expert for 10 CFR Part 21 reporting, ensuring prompt evaluation and notification of potential reportable defects or noncompliances.
  • Participate in design control reviews to verify that QA requirements are incorporated into design verification, validation, and qualification activities and that design changes are processed through controlled change management.
  • Implement and monitor personnel training and qualification requirements for QA personnel, inspectors, and supplier personnel; develop or coordinate nuclear‑specific qualification programs and instructor‑led training.
  • Support safety culture and assured nuclear safety initiatives, ensuring that quality activities align with nuclear safety objectives and hazardous operations protocols.
  • Oversee the maintenance, retrieval, and disposition of quality records (electronic and hardcopy), ensuring compliance with archival and regulatory requirements.
  • Coordinate cross‑functional reviews and QA input for corrective action boards, technical review committees, and nonconformance review boards to provide independent QA perspective.
  • Lead root cause and corrective action investigations for quality events with potential nuclear safety impact, ensuring robust containment, analysis, and long‑term corrective measures.
  • Conduct supplier and sub‑tier audits (onsite and remote) for fabrication, processing, and testing facilities; generate audit reports, nonconformance notices, and supplier improvement plans.
  • Support licensing and regulatory interactions by preparing QA evidence packages, audit artifacts, and responses to regulator requests; accompany subject matter experts during regulatory inspections and hearings.
  • Manage software quality assurance for nuclear safety‑related software and test/measurement systems in accordance with applicable standards and configuration control.
  • Perform risk assessments and participate in FMEA/FTA activities to identify quality-related failure modes and recommend mitigation strategies in design and manufacturing processes.
  • Review incoming materials and parts for acceptance criteria, verify eradication of counterfeit or suspect counterfeit items, and administer material traceability and certification review.
  • Ensure integration of environmental, health and safety (EHS) and quality requirements into nuclear operations and subcontractor scopes; monitor compliance with radiation protection and contamination control requirements.
  • Maintain continuous improvement of QA processes through Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies; identify waste, reduce rework, and improve process capability.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide QA input to program planning, budgeting, and schedule development for nuclear projects.
  • Mentor and coach junior QA staff and field inspectors, promote professional development, and help build QA bench strength.
  • Support emergency response and event investigation teams when quality issues intersect with operational events or safety incidents.
  • Represent the organization at industry working groups, standards committees, and vendor technical meetings to influence best practices and stay current on regulatory trends.
  • Assist procurement and contract management teams with QA clauses, surveillance plans, and supplier performance reviews.
  • Participate in cross‑discipline technical reviews, design reviews, and readiness assessments as the QA representative.
  • Support development and validation of QA process automation tools and quality management system (QMS) enhancements; participate in QMS implementations (e.g., ISO 9001 upgrades).
  • Provide subject matter expertise for proposals, bids, and customer QA inquiries; prepare QA sections of bids and respond to customer QA questionnaires.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA‑1) program development and implementation
  • Regulatory compliance: NRC, DOE, 10 CFR Part 21, 10 CFR Part 50 and relevant state regulations
  • ASME Code knowledge (Section III/III/IX), welding procedures and welder qualifications
  • Supplier/ Vendor qualification, surveillance, and source inspection experience
  • Internal and external auditing techniques (lead auditor experience preferred) and audit reporting
  • Root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action (CAPA) methodologies
  • Configuration management, document control, and quality records management
  • Non‑Destructive Examination (NDE) methods and oversight (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT) and familiarity with NDE acceptance criteria
  • Inspection and test plan (ITP) development and hold point management
  • Software quality assurance and configuration control for instrument and control systems
  • Material traceability, certificates of conformance (CoC) review, and counterfeit part prevention
  • Risk assessment tools (FMEA, FTA) and quality risk management approaches
  • Calibration program management and metrology traceability
  • Experience with ISO 9001, AS9100, or other QMS frameworks (if applicable)
  • Familiarity with radiation protection and nuclear safety culture principles

Soft Skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication — able to create high‑quality audit reports, corrective action packages, and regulatory correspondence
  • Attention to detail with a disciplined, methodical approach to inspection and documentation
  • Problem solving and critical thinking — proven ability to drive to root cause and implement sustainable corrective actions
  • Influencing and stakeholder management — ability to work across engineering, procurement, manufacturing and regulatory teams
  • Time management and organizational skills to manage multiple inspections, audits, and deliverables
  • Leadership and coaching — experience mentoring junior staff and leading cross‑functional teams
  • Adaptability and resilience in a regulated, high‑consequence nuclear environment
  • Ethical judgement and commitment to nuclear safety and compliance
  • Collaborative work style with demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings and technical reviews
  • Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and test data

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related scientific/technical discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Quality Systems, or related field and/or professional certifications (ASQ CQA, CQE, Lead Auditor, NQA‑1 training).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Nuclear Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Materials Science / Metallurgy
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Quality Systems / Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 5–10+ years of progressive quality assurance experience, with at least 3–5 years specifically in nuclear QA environments (utility, OEM, NSSS supplier, DOE national lab, or nuclear construction).

Preferred:

  • 8+ years in nuclear quality assurance or supplier quality with demonstrated experience implementing NQA‑1 programs, leading audits, vendor surveillance, and handling regulatory interactions; prior experience with NRC/DOE inspections and 10 CFR Part 21 reporting preferred.
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