Quality and Safety Specialist - Thermal Spray (VA Based, 75% Travel)

Thermal Spray Solutions LLC • Chesapeake, VA

7d • $30 - $35 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Quality and Safety Specialist – Shipboard is a senior-level authority responsible for ensuring compliance with NAVSEA requirements (009-032, 009-124), OSHA regulations, and QP1/QP6 standards. The role oversees surface preparation, coating, and thermal spray operations, ensuring work meets contract specifications efficiently without over-processing or delays. This position enforces critical safety practices, including hazard identification, PPE use, confined space entry, lockout/tagout, and exposure controls. It conducts job hazard and risk analyses, mitigates risks, and ensures a safe work environment. Serving as the technical lead for inspections, the specialist performs QP1/QP6 inspections and audits, verifies environmental and coating compliance, and ensures accurate documentation such as OQE packages, NCRs, and CFRs. The role also supports incident investigations, drives continuous improvement, and mentors personnel while maintaining a strong deck plate presence and professional engagement with customers and government representatives.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree in a technical field preferred.
• Minimum 7+ years of coating inspection experience, or directly related experience supporting thermal spray operations (TSN).
• Demonstrated mastery of NAVSEA 009-032 and 009-124 requirements.
• Extensive knowledge of OSHA shipyard regulations and AMPP QP1/QP6 standards, including hands-on auditing experience.
• Required certification(s): NBPI (National Board of Painting Inspectors) or NACE Level II Coating Inspector (AMPP CP-2)
• Shipyard Competent Person Certification required.
• Advanced knowledge of surface preparation, coating systems, and thermal spray processes.
• Proven proficiency in the use, calibration verification, and interpretation of inspection instruments (DFT gauges, dew point meters, surface profile gauges, holiday detectors, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience developing and completing detailed Objective Quality Evidence (OQE) packages with full traceability.
• Strong working knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS), documentation control, and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to lead audits, enforce compliance, and drive corrective actions in accordance with QP1/QP6 standards.
• Ability to interpret complex technical specifications and translate requirements into effective inspection and production oversight.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience mentoring, training, and supervising inspectors and production personnel.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet demanding shipyard schedules and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to professionally interact with government representatives, customers, and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated problem-solving capabilities including root cause analysis, conflict resolution, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Proven ability to maintain inspection efficiency while avoiding over-processing or unnecessary delays.
• High level of integrity and sound judgment, including the ability to exercise ethical decision-making and stop-work authority when required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant reporting or inspection software systems.
• Ability to work in physically demanding shipboard environments, including confined spaces, heights, and varying weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a technical field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure full compliance with NAVSEA 009-032 and 009-124 requirements, OSHA shipyard regulations, and AMPP QP1/QP6 standards across all shipboard operations.
• Oversee and verify surface preparation, coating, and thermal spray activities to ensure adherence to contract specifications without over-processing, rework, or schedule delays.
• Enforce safety requirements including hazard identification, proper PPE usage, confined space entry, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and ventilation/exposure controls; exercise stop-work authority when unsafe conditions exist.
• Conduct job hazard analyses (JHAs) and risk assessments; implement and verify corrective actions to mitigate safety and quality risks.
• Serve as the technical lead for inspection activities, performing and overseeing detailed inspections using calibrated instruments.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use, verification, and interpretation of inspection equipment including dew point meters, psychrometers, surface profile gauges (replica tape and digital), DFT gauges, holiday detectors (low/high voltage), adhesion testers, micrometers, calipers, and surface cleanliness test kits.
• Verify environmental conditions and coating compliance through continuous monitoring and documentation of temperature, humidity, dew point, and surface conditions.
• Ensure all inspection and test equipment is properly calibrated, maintained, stored, and traceable in accordance with Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.
• Conduct internal audits in accordance with AMPP QP1 and QP6 standards; prepare for and support external audits.
• Identify non-conformities, generate Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) and Condition Found Reports (CFRs), perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop, review, and maintain comprehensive Objective Quality Evidence (OQE) packages, ensuring traceability and inclusion of all required inspection data, test results, certifications, and environmental records.
• Generate and maintain accurate, timely documentation including inspection reports, environmental logs, coating inspection logs, rework logs, calibration verification records, and daily QC reports.
• Support incident investigations related to safety or quality events and track trends to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide mentorship, training, and technical guidance to inspectors and production personnel to ensure consistent adherence to quality and safety standards.
• Maintain a strong deck plate presence to monitor work execution, reinforce compliance, and ensure efficient operations in high-volume shipboard environments.
• Act as the primary liaison with government representatives, customers, and third-party auditors, ensuring professional communication and compliant project execution.
• Provide direct oversight, guidance, and technical direction to Operators, trainees, and production personnel involved in shipboard coating and surface preparation activities.
• Plan, assign, and prioritize inspection and audit activities to ensure efficient workflow and compliance with project schedules and contract requirements.
• Mentor, train, and evaluate inspectors and operators on quality standards, safety procedures, inspection techniques, and proper use of equipment.
• Enforce accountability for adherence to NAVSEA requirements, OSHA regulations, and QP1/QP6 standards, including exercising stop-work authority when necessary.
• Review and approve inspection reports, audit findings, and quality documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with QMS requirements.
• Coordinate with project management, production teams, and safety personnel to align quality and safety objectives with operational execution.
• Lead by example in maintaining a strong deck plate presence, reinforcing a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Support performance management activities, including providing feedback, identifying training needs, and contributing to personnel evaluations.
• Facilitate communication between team members, leadership, and external stakeholders, including government representatives and customers.

Benefits

• Generous Time Off: 11 annual company-paid holidays and PTO.
• Healthcare Savings: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and comprehensive dental and vision coverage.
• Retirement Support: 401(k) plan with a competitive company match.
• Insurance Coverage: Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance, with additional voluntary options like critical illness, hospital care, and long-term disability coverage.
• Competitive pay.
• Team Benefits: A supportive team culture and resources to help you thrive.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED