Quality and Safety Specialist - Thermal Spray

Kymera International - Corrosion and Abrasion Solutions (USA) Ltd • Westfield, TX

3h • Onsite

About The Position

The Quality and Safety Specialist – CASL Houston is a senior-level role responsible for leading quality and safety execution across machining, coating, and thermal spray operations. This position operates at a level above Quality Control Inspector III, with expanded responsibility for quality systems, safety compliance, process improvement, and cross-functional leadership. The role ensures compliance with company standards, customer specifications, OSHA regulations, and ISO-based Quality Management Systems. It serves as a key driver of continuous improvement, root cause resolution, and audit readiness, while providing technical leadership and mentorship to inspection and production personnel.

Requirements

• High school diploma required; associate or bachelor’s degree in machining, engineering, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in quality control, machining, coating, or thermal spray operations.
• Demonstrated progression beyond inspection-level responsibilities (QCI III equivalent or higher).
• Strong knowledge of machining processes, thermal spray coatings, and surface preparation methods.
• Experience working within an ISO 9001 Quality Management System.
• Demonstrated experience leading root cause analysis and corrective action processes.
• Experience supporting or leading audits (internal and external).
• Proven leadership experience mentoring or guiding quality and production personnel.
• Advanced knowledge of machining, coating, and thermal spray processes.
• Strong proficiency with inspection tools and measurement techniques.
• Advanced blueprint and technical drawing interpretation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience leading audits and driving corrective actions.
• Ability to influence and lead quality and safety initiatives.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across all levels of the organization.
• High level of accountability, judgment, and decision-making capability.
• Continuous improvement mindset with focus on efficiency and defect reduction.
• Ability to stand, walk, and perform inspections for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and perform physical tasks as required.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and steel-toe boots.
• Ability to work in environments with noise, dust, fumes, and varying temperatures.
• Manual dexterity to operate tools, equipment, and inspection instruments safely.

Nice To Haves

• Internal Auditor (ISO 9001 or AS9100)
• NACE Level I or II (AMPP CP-1 / CP-2) or equivalent
• Quality certifications (CQT, CQI, or similar)

Responsibilities

• Lead quality and safety oversight across machining, surface preparation, coating, and thermal spray operations.
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications, internal standards, OSHA regulations, and ISO 9001 requirements.
• Serve as a technical authority on quality and safety matters, supporting production, engineering, and leadership teams.
• Exercise stop-work authority when safety or quality risks are identified.
• Oversee and support visual, dimensional, and process inspections of mechanical components and thermal spray coatings.
• Ensure inspection methods, acceptance criteria, and documentation are consistently applied.
• Verify environmental and process conditions impacting coating and thermal spray quality.
• Ensure calibration systems are maintained and aligned with production needs.
• Lead root cause investigations and drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Trend quality and safety data to identify systemic issues and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance quality, efficiency, and safety performance.
• Verify effectiveness of corrective actions through data analysis and follow-up validation.
• Lead and support internal and external audits, including ISO 9001 and customer audits.
• Ensure audit readiness through proper documentation, traceability, and process adherence.
• Identify non-conformances and ensure timely resolution and documentation.
• Develop, review, and maintain accurate quality and safety documentation, including inspection reports, non-conformance reports (NCRs), corrective action documentation, and process/environmental records.
• Prepare reports on trends, performance metrics, and improvement initiatives for leadership.
• Provide training, mentorship, and technical guidance to Inspectors I, II, and III, as well as production personnel.
• Support development of inspection techniques, safety practices, and quality awareness across the site.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and leadership to resolve complex quality and safety issues.
• Support supplier and customer-related quality concerns as needed.
• Act as a key point of contact for quality and safety matters within the facility.
• Provide technical leadership and functional oversight to quality inspectors and production personnel.
• Support prioritization of inspection, audit, and quality activities.
• Mentor and guide team members in quality standards, inspection methods, and safety practices.
• Reinforce accountability for adherence to company policies, quality standards, and safety requirements.
• Support performance feedback, training development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

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