Corporate Quality Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Corporate Quality Lead
Department: Projects
Reports To: VP Projects

Position Summary
The Corporate Quality Lead is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the company's quality management policies, procedures, and standards across marine, offshore, subsea, vessel, and construction operations. This position provides leadership and oversight of quality assurance and quality control activities supporting deepwater pipeline projects, subsea fabrication, offshore installation campaigns, vessel operations, and related construction activities.

The Corporate Quality Lead ensures compliance with company standards, client specifications, regulatory requirements, applicable industry codes, and the company's ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System. The role serves as the primary quality focal point between project management, engineering, vessel management, operations personnel, contractors, suppliers, third-party inspectors, certification authorities, and client representatives.

This position is responsible for establishing quality management processes, inspection and test plans, quality surveillance programs, non-conformance management systems, corrective action programs, and performance metrics to promote consistency, accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement across all projects and operational activities.

Key Responsibilities
Quality Management & Leadership

• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve company-wide quality policies, procedures, SOPs, and quality management processes.
• Establish and maintain standardized quality requirements and expectations across all projects and operational activities.
• Lead and provide oversight for quality assurance and quality control personnel, contractors, and third-party inspectors.
• Develop and maintain Quality Management Plans (QMPs), Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), quality procedures, inspection checklists, and quality surveillance programs.
• Establish quality objectives, KPIs, and reporting processes to monitor compliance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Promote a culture of quality, accountability, procedural compliance, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Collaborate with HSEQ, Engineering, Project Management, Operations, and Vessel Management teams to ensure quality requirements are incorporated into project planning and execution.

Subsea Fabrication & Construction Quality Oversight

• Provide quality oversight for fabrication, assembly, testing, transportation, installation, and commissioning support activities involving:
  • Deepwater pipelines
  • PLETs
  • PLEMs
  • Jumpers
  • Spools
  • Tie-in assemblies
  • Subsea structures
  • Connection systems
  • Associated offshore construction equipment
• Ensure fabrication activities comply with approved drawings, specifications, procedures, client requirements, and applicable industry standards.
• Monitor welding, machining, fit-up, assembly, structural fabrication, and inspection activities performed by contractors, suppliers, and fabrication facilities.
• Coordinate fabrication inspections with clients, third-party verification agencies, and certification authorities.
• Participate in fabrication readiness reviews, construction audits, and project quality assessments.

Welding, Inspection & Testing

• Ensure compliance with approved WPSs, PQRs, welder qualifications, and applicable welding standards. Review welding inspection reports, NDE results, weld repair trends, and fabrication quality records to ensure compliance with project specifications and industry requirements. 
• Review and monitor welding qualification programs, welding procedures, welder qualifications, and inspection activities.
• Oversee and evaluate welding inspection reports, NDE results, and quality records.
• Ensure quality compliance for:
  • Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
  • Radiographic Testing (RT)
  • Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)
  • Dye Penetrant Testing (PT)
  • PMI Verification
  • Hardness Testing
  • Other inspection and testing requirements as applicable
• Oversee hydrostatic testing, pressure testing, Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs), functional testing, leak testing, and mechanical completion verification.
• Review test packages, procedures, and final quality documentation to ensure compliance with project requirements.
• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), CSWIP Welding Inspector, or equivalent welding inspection certifications preferred

Material Traceability & Documentation

• Establish and maintain processes for material traceability throughout procurement, fabrication, transportation, installation, and turnover.
• Review and verify:
  • Material Test Reports (MTRs)
  • Certificates of Compliance
  • Calibration records
  • Inspection reports
  • Coating records
  • Heat number traceability documentation
• Ensure quality records, turnover packages, inspection reports, test records, manufacturing records, and as-built documentation are complete, accurate, and properly maintained.
• Oversee document control and quality record retention processes.

Non-Conformance & Corrective Action Management

• Review quality reports, inspection findings, non-conformance reports (NCRs), and corrective action documentation.
• Oversee identification, investigation, documentation, and resolution of quality-related deficiencies.
• Lead root cause investigations involving quality issues, equipment failures, procedural deficiencies, and recurring non-conformances.
• Ensure corrective and preventive actions are developed, implemented, tracked, and evaluated for effectiveness.
• Monitor trends and quality performance data to identify systemic improvement opportunities.

Offshore Installation & Vessel Operations Support

• Provide quality support and oversight for offshore installation activities involving:
  • Deepwater pipeline installation
  • PLET installation
  • PLEM installation
  • Jumper installation
  • Tie-in operations
  • Spool installation campaigns
• Support quality oversight for vessel operations, maintenance activities, modifications, and marine construction projects.
• Participate in installation readiness reviews, offshore audits, and project execution assessments.
• Coordinate interface quality requirements between fabrication, transportation, vessel operations, and offshore installation teams.
• Review installation quality records and project closeout documentation.

Audits, Compliance & Stakeholder Interface

• Develop and oversee internal quality audit programs.
• Coordinate and support client audits, regulatory inspections, classification society reviews, and project readiness assessments.
• Serve as a primary corporate point of contact for quality-related matters involving clients, vendors, contractors, and project teams.
• Lead responses to audit findings, quality concerns, observations, and corrective action requirements.
• Monitor contractor, supplier, and subcontractor quality performance.
• Ensure compliance with the company's ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and applicable industry standards.

Training & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement quality training programs for employees and project personnel.
• Provide guidance and mentorship regarding quality requirements, documentation, compliance expectations, and best practices.
• Evaluate existing quality processes and recommend improvements to increase operational efficiency, consistency, and compliance.
• Prepare and present quality performance reports, audit findings, trends, and improvement recommendations to management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline preferred.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Quality Manager (CQM), Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, AWS CWI, CSWIP, AMPP/NACE, or equivalent certifications are preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in quality assurance, quality control, quality management, or related roles within marine, offshore, shipyard, construction, subsea, or industrial operations.
• Experience developing, implementing, or managing quality management systems, procedures, and SOPs preferred.
• Experience supporting offshore construction vessels, subsea fabrication, deepwater pipeline projects, offshore installation campaigns, vessel maintenance, or marine infrastructure projects strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with subsea fabrication, structural steel fabrication, welding inspection, NDE programs, and fabrication-yard quality management is strongly preferred.
• Experience managing non-conformances, corrective actions, root cause investigations, audits, and continuous improvement programs.
• Experience coordinating quality activities across multiple projects, contractors, vendors, and operational locations.

Technical Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems.
• Working knowledge of deepwater pipeline construction and offshore construction methods.
• Familiarity with subsea production systems, PLETs, PLEMs, jumpers, spools, tie-ins, and associated offshore infrastructure.
• Knowledge of welding inspection, fabrication quality control, metallurgy, and NDE technologies.
• Understanding of material traceability requirements, quality documentation systems, and turnover processes.
• Familiarity with hydrostatic testing, FATs, mechanical completion systems, and project closeout requirements.
• Knowledge of applicable offshore industry standards including DNV, API, ASME, ISO, and client-specific requirements.
• Strong leadership, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to review engineering drawings, technical specifications, inspection reports, and project documentation.
• Proficiency with electronic quality management systems.

Technical Requirements

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Able to effectively work on Mac computers.
• Familiar with document control systems, file-sharing platforms, Dropbox, and cloud-based collaboration tools.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working on a computer.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to communicate effectively via phone, email, video conference, and in person.
• Must maintain the physical ability to safely perform the essential functions of the position.

Office Location & Travel

• Position is based in Houston, Texas.
• Periodic travel to Port Arthur periodically required.
• Must adhere to Hydra's Workdays and Office Hours Policy.