Nuclear Quality Manager

Mesa Associates•Chattanooga, TN

About The Position

Mesa Associates, Inc. is seeking a Nuclear Quality Manager to lead our nuclear quality assurance team supporting engineering design work for our commercial and government nuclear customers requiring DOE, NQA-1, and/or 10CFR50 Appendix B compliance. This role is responsible for maintaining and enhancing Mesa’s Nuclear Quality Assurance Program, with a focus on design-related quality requirements, supplier interfaces, and regulatory compliance. This role will utilize leadership and management capabilities, as well as detailed knowledge, understanding, and experience in the functional and practical application of quality requirements, industry codes, guidelines, and regulations. The Nuclear Quality Manager will also actively support and demonstrate leadership traits that advance Mesa’s nuclear safety culture, while supporting our strategic growth in commercial and government nuclear projects. This position is part of an independent Quality organization and works closely with engineering, project management, procurement, and suppliers. It is also part of a broader Quality team that supports multiple Quality programs across the company. Success in this role depends on collaboration, sound judgment, effective leadership, strong management, and clear communication.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) or related field from an accredited college or university (preference is in an engineering field of study)
Minimum education requirement may be met by having seven plus years of pertinent nuclear-related experience (commercial nuclear, DOE, Navy Nuclear, engineering, etc.).
Minimum of 5 years of experience in quality assurance or quality engineering in a commercial nuclear, government nuclear, or research nuclear-related and highly regulated environment.
Detailed knowledge and experience applying 10CFR50 Appendix B, 10CFR Part 21, 10CFR Part 830, ASEM NQA-1, and applicable DOE Nuclear Quality requirements, preferably in a design, engineering, or supplier oversight setting.
Understanding of Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) requirements.
Ability to read and understand engineering drawings and technical documents.
Technical writing experience with the ability to write clear, understandable procedures and guidance.
Strong written, verbal, and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to take appropriate action in support of customer and project requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline from an accredited college or university.
NQA-1 Lead Auditor or equivalent certification (or ability to obtain).
Experience supporting audits, corrective actions, and supplier quality activities.
Experience developing quality programs in a highly regulated industry
Experience working in an engineering design firm or similar professional services environment within a heavily regulated industry.
Collaborative working style and ability to work effectively as part of a team within a matrixed organization.
Sound professional judgement and ability to apply requirements thoughtfully.
Comfort working in situations where requirements require interpretation.
Receptive to feedback and able to adjust approach based on input from others.
Curious, thoughtful, and willing to learn the organization and its context.
Organized, detail-oriented, and dependable.
Strong commitment to quality, ethics, and continuous improvement.
Enthusiastic to learn and develop professional knowledge to advance nuclear power within an engineering and design services company.

Responsibilities

Lead the Nuclear Quality program and collaborate with the Nuclear Business Units to develop, update, and maintain clear, usable quality procedures, templates, and guidance supporting nuclear design and related activities.
Provide program oversight to help ensure quality requirements are understood and applied consistently.
Support engineering and project teams by clarifying quality expectations related to documentation, records, and compliance
Verify required activities are carried out in accordance with internal procedures, external regulations, and applicable customer requirements.
Coordinate with document control personnel to ensure nuclear design documents and quality records are properly identified, maintained, and retrievable.
Support supplier quality activities as needed, including audits, surveillances, or site visits based on project scope and risk.
Manage the qualification and selection of potential suppliers; establish and verify acceptance criteria for purchased items and services.
Provide oversight of Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) activities, including review of plans, documentation, and technical evaluations.
Plan and support internal audits, surveillances, and management assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the Nuclear Quality Assurance Program
Oversee and manage the Nuclear Corrective Action and Lessons Learned Programs; support investigation and resolution of quality issues; and conduct root cause analysis for higher-severity nonconformances to drive corrective actions and process improvements.
Obtain and maintain NQA-1 lead auditor status.
Facilitate, develop, provide, and encourage appropriate company quality training and maintain the training program to meet regulatory and customer requirements.
Report to Senior Management on the status and effectiveness Mesa’s Nuclear Quality Assurance Program; serve as a quality point of contact for internal teams, customers, and suppliers; promote a Nuclear Safety Conscious Work Environment; and maintain a professional standard of conduct in all communications.
Perform other duties as assigned.