Quality Engineer (Auditor)

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Quality Engineer reports to the QA Manager and supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the quality assurance program. The position performs quality engineering activities; conducts internal and supplier audits in accordance with ASME NQA-1 and applicable customer, regulatory, and company requirements; and provides supplier quality oversight from qualification through product acceptance and performance monitoring.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develops, reviews, and maintains quality plans, procedures, internal and external audit plans, that implement ASME NQA-1, customer, regulatory, and company requirements.

2. Plans, leads, and documents internal and supplier audits as a qualified NQA-1 auditor or lead auditor, including audit preparation, interviews, objective-evidence review, reporting, and follow-up.

3. Evaluates and qualifies suppliers based on technical capability, quality-system effectiveness, past performance, and compliance with procurement and NQA-1 requirements.

4. Provides supplier oversight through source surveillance, inspection hold points, document reviews, performance monitoring, and periodic reassessment.

5. Reviews purchase orders, specifications, drawings, and supplier submittals to verify that applicable quality and technical requirements are clearly flowed down.

6. Investigates nonconformances, supplier escapes, and adverse quality trends; facilitates root-cause analysis; and verifies the effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions.

7. Supports design, manufacturing, welding, inspection, testing, and procurement teams in resolving quality issues and determining acceptance criteria.

8. Analyzes quality data and supplier metrics, identifies risk and improvement opportunities, and communicates trends and recommendations to management.

9. Ensures quality records, audit documentation, supplier files, and objective evidence are accurate, complete, traceable, controlled, and retained in accordance with applicable requirements.

10. Interfaces professionally with customers, suppliers, auditors, inspectors, and internal stakeholders while protecting proprietary and confidential information.

11. Maintains auditor qualification and technical competence through required training, audit participation, and continuing professional development.

12. Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Working knowledge of ASME NQA-1 quality assurance requirements and their application to auditing, procurement, supplier qualification, inspection, testing, nonconformance control, corrective action, and quality records is required. The incumbent must be able to interpret drawings, specifications, purchase-order requirements, and quality documentation; apply risk-based judgment; analyze data and root causes; prepare clear audit and technical reports; and communicate effectively with suppliers, customers, management, and technical personnel. Strong organization, attention to detail, integrity, independence, and the ability to manage multiple priorities are essential. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic quality-management or supplier-management systems is required. Familiarity with ISO 9001, welding, NDE/NDT, fabrication, calibration, and configuration control is preferred.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, manufacturing, or a related technical discipline is preferred. Work experience in this discipline substantial directly related experience will be strongly considered.

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURES

Current qualification as an ASME NQA-1 auditor is required or must be obtained within a company-defined period after hire. Lead auditor qualification is preferred. Relevant certifications such as ASQ Certified Quality Auditor, Certified Quality Engineer, or equivalent will also be considered.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 3–5 years of quality engineering, quality assurance, supplier quality, or audit experience in a regulated or high-consequence manufacturing environment.

• Demonstrated experience performing NQA-1 or comparable nuclear quality assurance audits and preparing defensible audit reports.

• Experience with supplier qualification, source surveillance, procurement-document review, nonconformance disposition, corrective action, and supplier performance management is preferred.

• Experience in fabrication, welding, machining, inspection, testing, or NDE/NDT environments is preferred.

- or - Any equivalent combination of Education and/or Experience