Nuclear R&D Quality Representative
Overview:
The Performance Analysis & Quality Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking qualified applicants for a Nuclear Quality Representative (NQR). The NQR works with internal and external customers and other quality professionals to provide independent quality assurance support for the development of quality philosophy, tools and techniques, quality management systems, procedures, process improvements, strategic planning and performance metrics, and other quality-related initiatives. This position supports Research and Development (R&D) and Pilot Production activities progressing toward Demonstration and Production within the Enrichment Science and Engineering Division (ESED). The position encompasses a wide range of quality oversight, review, verification and validation of internal and external systems, items, and components.
ORNL is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Our diverse capabilities span a broad spectrum of scientific and engineering disciplines, enabling the Laboratory to explore fundamental science challenges and to carry out the research needed to accelerate the delivery of solutions to the marketplace.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
- Work independently to provide quality assurance support for implementation of a graded approach to quality requirements within an R&D environment, with increasing rigor as R&D progresses through research/technical maturity toward Demonstration, Pilot Production and/or Production activities.
- Identify and understand customer needs while influencing the prioritization and development of quality initiatives.
- Provide guidance and support development of project plans, checklists, procedures, and guidelines for efficient and effective deployment of management systems and organizations supported.
- Plan and lead assessments to evaluate the health of the overall quality program.
- Review actions associated with assessment findings and opportunities for improvement to ensure objective evidence is sufficient to support closure.
- Review procurement specifications, design specifications, fabrication procedures, maintenance work packages, and other documents for incorporation of appropriate quality controls.
- Assist in the development of fabrication and inspection plans and establishment of quality hold points.
- Provide quality planning assistance for various tasks, projects, procurements, work evolutions; provide assessments of work in progress, including document reviews against specifications.
- Perform supplier evaluations and serve as an NQA-1 Lead auditor (some travel may be required).
- Conduct supplier evaluations and perform oversight of inspection of fabricated items and assemblies to ensure conformance with established performance criteria, including NQA-1; may include source inspections or witnessing of NDE of critical components and assemblies.
- Conduct material receiving inspection and commercial grade dedication on safety related and non-safety related materials.
- Assist in implementation of nonconformance processing.
- Lead independent reviews of revisions, updates and modifications involving Software Quality Assurance requirements.
- Provide support for event critiques and causal analysis, including determination of preventive and/or corrective actions.
- Identify and/or solve problems, assessing needs to achieve desired results.
- Continually search out new technologies and techniques to improve design, workflow, and optimization of processes and performance management functions.
- Operate and communicate effectively and efficiently with all levels of management on quality issues.
- Build and develop strong relationships with peers and other to exchange feedback on issues and concerns.
- Work effectively with both external and internal customers to meet goals and assess customer satisfaction.
Basic Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in science, engineering, or a related field.
- A minimum of eight years of quality assurance experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- A working knowledge of recognized Quality Standards such as NQA-1, ISO 9001, cGMP and quality concepts.
- This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Q clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse program (WSAP) testing designed position which requires passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge and experience in validating implementation of quality assurance programs in a radiological and/or nuclear facility.
- Experience in the fabrication and testing requirements for components used for nuclear and radiological applications.
- Experience as a critique facilitator and root cause analyst or the ability to obtain qualifications as an ORNL Critique Facilitator and ORNL Root Cause Analyst.
- Ability to read and interpret design drawings.
- Lead Auditor or assessor experience.
- A demonstrated track record of investigation analysis and problem solving.
- Strong computer, organizational, verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to multi-task.
- Strong analytical skills; customer service experience; and the ability to interpret, communicate, and implement complex instructions.
- This position may require some level of travel.
This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.