Quality Assurance Engineer

Location: Livermore, CA
Title: Quality Assurance Engineer

THIS POSITION IS SHORT TERM, MAX 1,000 HOURS PER CALENDAR YEAR

North Wind Services (NWS) is a high performing, low risk company with a successful history of contributing to their client’s missions. NWS executes and manages a wide range of technical services such as environmental investigation and restoration, construction, demolition, radioactive and hazardous waste management, public communication/involvement, information management, health and safety, industrial hygiene, and emergency response/HAZMAT services.

North Wind Services is actively seeking individuals who can contribute to national security within the science, technology, and engineering fields as part of our supplemental labor team at vital federal research and development installations supporting the Department of Energy. Qualified applicants must be a US citizen, at least 18 years of age, and able to meet pre-employment requirements including any required physicals, drug screen, and/or background investigation to satisfy clearance requirements from the Department of Energy.

Successful candidates will be employees of NWS supporting the missions of their federal client, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, CA. Pay, benefits, Human Resources, and employment management functions are all provided by NWS. As an NWS employee working at LLNL, within the client’s environment, you will complete day-to-day tasks, with direction from technical personnel directly employed by LLNL.

The Strategic Deterrence Directorate has an opening in the SD Operations Support Group for a Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer. The successful candidate will contribute to the Strategic Deterrence (SD) QA programs, and the design and deployment of plans and procedures to provide assurance that SD activities are performed in compliance with Directorate and LLNL/LLNS policies, federal, state and local laws and regulations associated with QA programs. The successful candidate will primarily perform direct observations, document reviews, conduct assessments, provide briefings, and write reports. In this role, the successful candidate will work closely with facility and programmatic customers as well as other Laboratory support organizations.

Essential Duties
- Assist SD management, operations, projects, and programs to ensure compliance with QA regulations (e.g., 10 CFR 830.120, DOE O 414.1F, NAP 401.1A) and implementation of quality management systems (ISO 9001 and NQA-1) in SD facilities.
- Assist with the development and implementation of SD’s Principal Directorate QA Plan and QA documents and procedures.
- Develop performance criteria/metrics during the evaluation and qualification of suppliers.
- Contribute to SD programs, projects, and operations by performing quality control inspections at LLNL and at vendor sites to assure products meet specification requirements.
- Apply risk-based approaches to evaluate rigor level of product qualification activities and create test plans, including destructive and non-destructive testing, to determine inherent adherence to quality requirements, as appropriate.
- Provide solutions to complex technical problems and recurring issues of significant impact.
- Schedule and conduct audits, assessments, and inspections to monitor and evaluate the implementation of SD’s QA activities, then coordinate successful closure of SD QA program self-assessment and audit results.
- Lead and develop new systems and processes focused on continuous improvement to ensure quality requirements are effectively implemented and ideal behaviors in the workplace are enabled.
- Influence, formulate, and execute short-term and long-term strategic QA goals by providing solutions to highly complex technical issues/problems where the solution path is not known ahead of time, working under consultative direction.
- Develop verification methods for quality requirements and provide engineering support that ensures the appropriate qualification and testing evidence meets design requirements.
- Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Ability to secure and maintain a U. S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related technical/science discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Significant experience with and advanced knowledge of QA requirements associated with operations in nuclear and/or non-nuclear facilities and activities.
- Significant experience managing and maintaining quality management systems (i.e., ISO 9001, NQA-1).
- Significant experience providing internal or independent assessments and audits of organizations, operations, and facilities for assuring the effective and compliant implementation of quality programs.
- Advanced decision-making skills necessary to advise, counsel, recommend and develop solutions on a wide variety of complex QA issues.
- Experience with non-conformance tracking systems, work control processes, metrology, and/or other related QA programs.
- Advanced knowledge and understanding of the application of the theories, principles, practices and procedures of the QA discipline to science and technology research and development.
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment, present and explain technical information, direct and coordinate self-assessment activities, and provide advice to managers and staff internal and external to SD.
- Significant experience developing, applying, and explaining complex technical programs, documents, procedures, specifications, and reports; expert verbal and interpersonal communication and facilitation skills.
- Significant experience successfully negotiating and influencing various levels of personnel within large organizations and/or DOE/NNSA.
- Significant experience leading the application, development and implementation of quality management systems (i.e., ISO 9000, NQA-1).

Desired Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Relevant QA work experience within SD organizations.
- ISO 9001 Lead Auditor qualification.

Special Requirements

Pre-Placement Medical Exam: A job-related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

Pre-employment drug test: External applicants selected for this position will be required to pass a post offer, pre-employment drug test.

Anticipated Government Clearance Level: Q (position will be cleared to this level). Applicants who are selected will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matters. In addition, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold multiple citizenships (U.S. and another country), you may be required to renounce your non-U.S. citizenship before a DOE L or Q clearance will be processed/granted.

North Wind offers a competitive pay and benefits package to include health, life, and disability insurance benefits, 401(k) with company match, generous paid leave, and tuition reimbursement for eligible employees. As a company, we are committed to employee wellness, professional development, and work-life balance. We value safety, reliability, and commitment to our people. For more information about benefits or hiring philosophy, visit the North Wind Career Opportunities Page.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The nature of those accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Helpline +1.208.528.8718 or use the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form to get assistance.

North Wind is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion, or other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information NW collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here: https://northwindgrp.com/wp-com .