Nuclear Quality Representative

Requisition Id 16418 

Overview:  

We are seeking a Nuclear Quality Representative (early-to-mid career) to support the implementation of quality program requirements for Research & Development (R&D), Pilot Production, and emerging Manufacturing activities within the Enrichment Science and Engineering Division (ESED).

 

This position resides in the Isotope Enrichment & Facilities Group within the Quality Assurance Division (QAD), Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and is matrixed to the Systems & Process Assurance (SPA) Section within ESED, with primary support to Production Inventory Control and Manufacturing organizations.

 

This role is ideal for a technically grounded, collaborative quality professional who understands nuclear quality requirements (e.g., NQA-1) and can apply them pragmatically and effectively within a fast-paced, evolving environment—balancing compliance with mission execution.

 

Position Summary:

As a field-deployed Nuclear Quality Representative, you will partner closely with engineering, design, procurement, and manufacturing teams to ensure quality requirements are appropriately defined, tailored, and implemented.

 

Success in this role requires the ability to:

• Apply quality standards with discipline and flexibility, using a graded approach
• Collaborate and negotiate with stakeholders to achieve compliant, practical solutions
• Support the flowdown of requirements in a way that enables execution; not impedes it
• Reinforce key quality principles (e.g., traceability, inspection, configuration control) without overburdening the work

 

We are looking for someone who:

• Understands nuclear quality requirements (NQA-1, DOE O 414.1D, ISO 9001) and can apply them thoughtfully—not rigidly
• Is comfortable working in ambiguous, evolving environments such as R&D transitioning into production
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, especially in working with Design and Manufacturing teams
• Can balance compliance with practicality, ensuring requirements are met without unnecessary burden
• Is adaptable, coachable, and solution-oriented, with a willingness to grow alongside the organization

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Implement and support a graded approach to quality, ensuring rigor is commensurate with risk and technical maturity
• Partner with Design, Procurement, and Manufacturing teams to define and flow down quality requirements that are both compliant and executable
• Serve as a trusted advisor to customers, aligning quality expectations with operational needs
• Support development and review of:
  • Procurement and design specifications
  • Fabrication and inspection plans
  • Work packages and procedures
• Assist in establishing appropriate quality controls (e.g., inspection points, traceability, configuration management)
• Evaluate and tailor application of NQA-1 and related standards to fit the scope and complexity of the work
• Lead or support assessments, focusing on effectiveness and practical implementation, not just compliance
• Perform supplier evaluations, audits, and oversight activities as needed
• Support nonconformance resolution and practical corrective actions
• Participate in critiques and causal analyses with a focus on learning and improvement
• Build strong working relationships across organizations to enable quality through collaboration, not enforcement alone
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Basic Qualifications:

• B.S. with 5-7 years of relevant nuclear quality experience or an M.S. with 4-7 years of relevant nuclear quality experience
• Ability to hold and maintain a DOE Q security clearance
• Experience supporting R&D, production, construction or manufacturing environments
• Possess in-depth knowledge of quality requirements and standards associated with, DOE O 414, NQA-1, and ISO 9001:2015
• The ability to work flexible hours. Minor travel may be necessary.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence without authority