Construction Quality Assurance Project Manager

AAR, a SOCOTEC Company (formerly AAR Testing and Inspection, Inc.) has an immediate need for a Construction Quality Assurance Manager (CQAM) to lead the implementation, management, and enforcement of the Construction Quality Assurance (QA) Program on complex design-build infrastructure projects, ensuring all construction activities comply with contract requirements, regulatory standards, and approved quality management plans.

Core Responsibilities:

Quality Program Leadership

• Develops, implements, and manages the Construction QA Program in alignment with the Quality Management Plan (QMP), ensuring all work meets contract specifications and WSDOT requirements.

Inspection & Testing Oversight

• Oversees and coordinates QA inspection and testing operations, ensuring adequate staffing and coverage for all construction activities, including structural, paving, geotechnical, and utility work.

Regulatory & Owner Coordination

• Interfaces directly with WSDOT for verification testing, inspections, and Independent Assurance (IA), ensuring alignment between QA results and owner acceptance criteria.

Authority & Risk Control (Stop Work Authority)

• Holds authority to stop work when quality requirements are not met and leads development of corrective action plans to resolve deficiencies.

Non-Conformance Management

• Maintains and manages the Non-Conformance Report (NCR) system, including tracking, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and closure in coordination with WSDOT.

Quality Planning & Execution

• Develops Inspection Test Plans (ITPs), inspection checklists, and manages Quality Check Points (Hold Points) to ensure compliance at critical stages of construction.

Personnel Qualification & Training

• Ensures all QA inspectors, technicians, and testing personnel are properly certified and trained; delivers ongoing quality training and pre-activity briefings.

Documentation & Compliance Management

• Oversees all quality documentation including inspection reports, test results, daily logs, material certifications, and progress payment quality verification.

Field Quality Leadership

• Directly performs and supervises inspections across a wide range of construction activities (concrete, asphalt, structures, utilities, etc.), ensuring workmanship meets specifications.

Design-Build Integration

• Reviews working drawings, RFIs, and field design changes to ensure constructability and compliance with quality standards.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Collaborates with contractors, project managers, engineers, and quality teams to resolve issues, maintain production, and ensure compliance with quality requirements.

Continuous Improvement & Auditing

• Leads audits, quality meetings, and task force discussions to identify trends, improve processes, and prevent recurring non-conformances.

Technical Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field, with 5+ years of experience and strong knowledge of construction materials, methods, and inspection practices. In lieu of a degree, 10+ years of experience in construction quality management is acceptable.

Quality Management Expertise:

• Experience developing and implementing Quality Management Plans (QMPs), including inspection, testing, auditing, and documentation processes.

Inspection & Testing Knowledge:

• Proficiency in overseeing QA inspections and materials testing across multiple disciplines (earthwork, concrete, asphalt, structures, utilities).

Regulatory & Standards Compliance:

• Familiarity with agency requirements (e.g., WSDOT), AASHTO/ASTM standards, and contract specifications governing construction quality.

Certifications:

• Relevant industry certifications (e.g., WAQTC, ACI, AWS CWI, nuclear density, etc.) demonstrating competency in testing and inspection.

Leadership & Management Skills:

• Ability to lead QA teams, coordinate with contractors and owners, and manage staffing, scheduling, and quality resources.

Authority & Decision-Making:

• Capability to enforce quality standards, including issuing non-conformance reports and stopping work when requirements are not met.

Documentation & Reporting:

• Strong experience managing quality documentation such as inspection reports, NCR logs, test results, and certification packages.

Communication & Coordination:

• Ability to work closely with project managers, design teams, contractors, and owners to resolve issues and maintain compliance.

Problem-Solving & Continuous Improvement:

• Skill in identifying quality issues, implementing corrective actions, and improving processes to prevent recurring deficiencies.

Other duties as required by the hiring manager and depending on project needs.