Quality Engineering Senior Associate

Pantex•Amarillo, TX

About The Position

The Quality Engineering Senior Associate plans and directs activities related to developing, applying, and maintaining quality standards for processing materials and producing tangible products. The role develops and implements inspection, testing, and evaluation methods and establishes programs to assess the precision and accuracy of production processes, equipment, and testing, measurement, and analytical facilities. The position ensures National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and internal quality requirements, including NAP-401.1A and NQA-1, are implemented. It supports Product Realization Teams, Pantex Operations, Pantex Process Engineering, and Nuclear Enterprise Assurance in delivering the mission, while identifying and communicating risks and opportunities to Programs and Engineering. The role also provides technical assistance with operational processes, procedures, and plans; reviews documents and changes for technical accuracy and compliance; coordinates with operations personnel and customers; and supports work scope, schedules, estimates, budgets, and deliverables. The employee leads or participates in assessments, inspections, surveillances, and engineering evaluations. The role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance. It may involve entry into Materials Access Areas and participation in the Human Reliability Program. Medical requirements may apply. Candidates accepting an offer must pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening, and background investigation; employees are also subject to random drug testing. U.S. citizenship is required for security clearance applicants.

Requirements

With a bachelor's degree, at least 2 years of relevant experience; with a master's degree, at least 1 year of relevant experience.
Applicants without a bachelor's degree may be considered based on a combination of at least 10 years of completed education and/or relevant experience.
Meet Department of Energy Order 426.2A requirements: a baccalaureate in engineering or a related science, 2 years of job-related experience, and at least 1 year of nuclear experience, or a DOE O 426.2A alternative. These experience requirements may be satisfied after employment; until then, newly hired personnel will not be assigned duties that could impact the safety basis of nuclear facilities.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required for security clearance applicants.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in an engineering or science discipline.
Typical engineering or science experience of 3–7 years.
High standards, excellent observation skills, strong written and oral communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and SharePoint.
Experience with quality and process improvement methods, statistical applications, engineering standards, measuring and test equipment, and basic chemistry.
Formal training and/or experience in NAP-401.1A, NQA-1, ISO-9000, or similar quality standards.
Training and experience performing assessments.
Knowledge of DOE Orders and NNSA quality requirements.
Experience in procurement document reviews, engineering design reviews, and design evaluations.

Responsibilities

Plan and direct activities for developing, applying, and maintaining quality standards for materials processing and product production.
Develop and implement methods and procedures for inspection, testing, and evaluation.
Establish programs to evaluate the precision and accuracy of production processes, processing equipment, and testing, measurement, and analytical facilities.
Ensure NNSA and internal quality requirements, including NAP-401.1A and NQA-1, are implemented in all activities.
Support Product Realization Teams, Pantex Operations, Pantex Process Engineering, and Nuclear Enterprise Assurance in achieving mission delivery.
Identify and communicate risks and opportunities affecting mission success to Programs and Engineering.
Provide technical assistance in developing and implementing operational processes, procedures, and plans.
Review Disposition Documents, routing changes, improvements, and procedures for technical accuracy and compliance with requirements.
Coordinate with operations personnel and internal and external customers to meet customer-defined requirements, schedules, and expectations.
Contribute to organizational performance and support mission priorities.
Assist in defining work scope, schedules, and estimates, and help ensure deliverables meet budget and schedule requirements.
Lead or participate in assessments, inspections, surveillances, and engineering evaluations.