Job Description (show details...)

Summary

Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of processes, procedures and applications contributing to the overall objectives of maintaining an effective environmental, safety, health and quality (ESHQ) quality assurance and quality control program, including: product and process design/verification, product and process controls, continuous improvement, qualitative methods and tools and design and analysis of experiments.

Has wide-ranging experience, uses professional concepts and Laboratory objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways. Frequently contributes to the development of new theories and methods. Considered expert in field within the organization. Develops resolutions to complex problems that require the frequent use of creativity and where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Erroneous decisions or recommendations would normally result in the inability to reach crucial organizational objectives and may have a prolonged effect, as well as result in the expenditure of substantial resources. Work is accomplished without considerable direction. May coordinate activities of other personnel. Exerts significant latitude in determining objectives of assignment, and determines the methods and procedures needed for new assignments.

Job Duties

1. Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. Maintains required safety and security training, assures safety and security compliance, and makes safety and security an integral part of every task, Determines objectives and refines assignment definitions.
2. Understands and adheres to Laboratory and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to quality assurance.
3. Ensures quality assurance results, materials, processes and final products meet quality specifications and are completed according to established requirements.
4. Fosters a mutually respectful work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.
5. Leads other quality engineers and technical specialists in the planning, conduct, and reporting of vendor and internal independent assessments, surveillances, and audits, including the development of audit/assessment checklists
6. Provides over-site of division or directorate level quality assurance plans; assessment support to line managers; audit, assessment, and surveillance scheduling and coordination; pre-evaluation; notification; reporting; corrective action; and documentation.
7. Interprets quality assurance (QA) policy and procedures at the division or directorate level.
8. Follows up on actions taken in response to audit findings to assure adequacy of completed corrective actions, providing recommendations based on defined philosophies.
9. Assists Laboratory personnel with the implementation and understanding of QA policies, plans, and procedures, proving Laboratory management with recommendations and advice
10. Ensures the preparation, review, receipt, indexing, classifying, and transmitting of administrative and QA records.
11. May develop and implement institutional level QA training.
12. Interacts with production agency and design agency staff members.
13. Provides guidance, philosophies, and recommendations for the preparation of technical weapons-related quality assurance procedures.
14. May perform and document inspections and tests.
15. Approves test and inspection reports.
16. Initiates, validates, and closes non-conformance reports issued to report non-conformances identified during inspections or tests.
17. May utilize lean six sigma yellow belt techniques to execute the assessment process to include mapping the process and managing data collection systems.
18. Conducts technical evaluation studies of quality assurance controls.
19. Supports development of weapons quality systems associated with production and/or design activities.
20. Evaluates weapons design agency and/or production agency engineering authorizations to determine compliance with National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) technical business practices and quality requirements.
21. Provides technical support to one or more weapons production processes for compliance with technical and quality requirements.
22. Develops and directs the operation of quality control systems.
23. Develops testing and inspection procedures and analyzes the test and inspection results
24. Applies advanced quality control techniques and statistical process control methods to deficiency data collection in order to identify failure causes, trends, focus improvement actions, rate the performance, and measure effectiveness.
25. Defines technical and performance specifications, quality levels, sampling plans, and inspection plans or procedures.
26. Reviews receiving inspection reports, certificates of compliance and conformance and related test reports to determine validity.
27. Analyzes test data and writes evaluation reports.
28. Performs chemical analysis, physical testing, and performance evaluations, and analyzes the result, as needed.
29. Defines the metrics and methods of reporting that show measurement of QA and quality control (QC) processes.
30. Defines and designs test strategies for the analysis and qualification of products or manufacturing processes.
31. Plans and conducts analysis, inspection, design, and testing activities
32. Perform quality-engineering reviews of design documents.
33. Leads structured problem solving teams and applies statistical and other problem solving tools.
34. Monitors project engineering, environmental, procurement, construction, testing, operations, and other activities related to the quality program/plan.
35. Reviews and reports on selected engineering and procurement documents to assure the inclusion of applicable quality requirements.
36. Reviews and reports on new or revised certification requirements and their impact on the established QA program.
37. Mentors less senior quality engineers and quality specialists in the development, implementation, and understanding of QA programs, procedures, and processes.
38. Leads Laboratory participation in Department of Energy (DOE) complex, industry, and QA standards committee meetings.
39. Defines, describes, and interprets the basic elements of a quality system, including planning, control, and improvement, from product and process design through quality cost systems, audit programs, etc.
40. Identifies and applies various evaluations and tests to qualify and validate the design of new products and processes to ensure their fitness for use.
41. Defines, identifies sand applies product and process control methods such as developing control plans, identifying critical control points, developing and validating work instructions, etc. (design verification).
42. Defines, describes, and applies the concepts of producer and consumer risk and related terms, including operating characteristic (OC) curves, acceptable quality limit (AQL), lot tolerance percent defective (LTPD), average outgoing quality (AOQ), average outgoing quality limit (AOQL0, etc.) sampling concepts.
43. Interprets and applies ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 and Z1.9 standards for attributes and variables sampling. Identifies and distinguishes between single, double, multiple, sequential, and continuous sampling methods. Identifies the characteristics of Dodge-Romig sampling tables and when they should be used (sampling standards and plans).
44. Selects and describes appropriate uses of inspection tools such as gage blocks, calipers, micrometers, optical comparators, etc. (measurement tools).
45. Distinguishes between destructive and nondestructive measurement test methods and applies them appropriately (destructive and nondestructive tests).
46. Identifies, describes, and applies metrology techniques such as calibration systems, traceability to calibration standards, measurement error and its source, and control and maintenance of measurement standards and devices (metrology).
47. Calculates, analyzes and interprets repeatability and reproducibility (GAGE R&R) studies, measurement correlation, capability, bias, linearity, etc., including both conventional and control chart methods [measurement system analysis).
48. Utilizes quantitative methods and tools to collect and summarize data, implement quantitative concepts, distinguish probability distributions, for statistical decision-making, to determine relationships between variables, for statistical process control, to determine process and performance capability, and for design and analysis of experiments.

Job Knowledge

As applicable for the position and nature of technical area of focus, the candidate should have:

• Advanced knowledge of and experience with quality assurance activities including, but not necessarily limited to, system and/or performance audits, recommending and implementing corrective actions, providing thorough and accurate documentation of technical and/or statistical reports, and ensuring quality assurance compliance.
• Advanced knowledge of and experience with quality regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Advanced knowledge of common and unique work hazards, occupational safety practices, operating configuration, and lock-out/tag-out policies and procedures.
• Advanced ability to understand and interpret various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics.
• Advanced experience and demonstrated skill in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting quality assurance.
• Advanced skills to conceptualize and communicate major elements of quality assurance to both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Advanced knowledge of the Laboratory?s environmental protection policies, practices, and procedures.
• Advanced knowledge of national consensus standards of quality assurance, such as ASME, ISO, Six Sigma, ANSI/ASME NQA1, and US NRC regulatory guide series
• Advanced knowledge of the weapons quality requirements:? DOE/NNSA weapons quality policy (QC-1), nuclear weapons complex technical business practices, NNSA development and production manual, and the NNSA quality assurance procedure, weapons manufacturing, production, and design operations and practices, as well as weapons systems.
• Advanced knowledge of national consensus standards of quality assurance, such as ASME, ISO, Six Sigma, ANSI/SME NWA1, and US NRC regulatory guide series.
• Advanced knowledge of hazardous/nuclear materials safety practices.
• Advanced knowledge of assessment/audit practices.
• Advanced ability to use metrology and statistical methods to diagnose and correct improper quality control practices.
• Facility with quality cost concepts and techniques.
• Advanced knowledge and ability to develop and administer management information systems and to audit quality systems for deficiency identification and correction.
• Advanced technical knowledge in the application of engineering, environmental, procurement, construction, testing, operations, practices sufficient to comprehend specified engineering, environmental, procurement, construction, testing, operations, and certification requirements.
• Advanced experience with mentoring of personnel.
• Demonstrated record of accomplishments and progressive responsibility experience in specialized/relevant field.
• Advanced understanding of complex technical, skilled, and or specialized concepts, theories, and practices and the skill to apply this advanced knowledge to assignments.
• Advanced skills in development of tools for quality assurance program development, technical assessments, and corrective action plan development and review, and authoritative reporting to Laboratory organizations, DOE/NNSA, and contractor organizations. Typically experience of seven years with nuclear and/or DOE QA programs
• Advanced-level strong oral and written communications skills
• Excellent prioritization skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal and communication skills as evidenced by successful interaction with various levels of management, state and federal regulators, stakeholders and suppliers.
• Proven record of success leading cross-organizational teams.
• Advanced ability to interact successfully under pressure.
• Advanced ability to work with minimal direction to accomplish general programmatic objectives.
• Extremely high level of analytical ability and innovative thinking.
• Demonstrated ability to accept accountability for safety of self and others.
• May require advanced knowledge of project construction means and methods.
• Lead Auditor training and experience.
• Advanced training in and significant experience with use problem solving methodology, e.g. Lean Six Sigma, root cause analysis.
• Advanced knowledge in design of experiments and their uses.
• Advanced knowledge and ability to apply statistical process control and sampling plans.
• Advanced knowledge in interpretation of data.
• Advanced knowledge of quality improvement methodologies, such as Six Sigma, Shainin, and lean manufacturing, and demonstrated ability using these methodologies to resolve issues and improve processes.
• Advanced knowledge of and experience using statistics and statistical methods to analyze issues, identify failure modes, make decisions, implement corrective actions, and verify effectiveness.
• Advanced familiarity with construction codes and standards, and applying quality requirements to construction projects, where applicable.
• Advanced familiarity with project management methodologies and applying quality requirements to projects being managed through a formal project management process.

Education

• Position typically requires a recognized degree in an engineering discipline, from an accredited college or university and, preferably, practical work experience to the degree necessary to perform the responsibilities outlined above.

Direction

A. Supervision Received

• Receives very limited functional and operational direction from the quality assurance manager.

B. Supervision Exercised

• Provides functional and operational direction to reporting quality assurance students, support, and/or clerical employees, if assigned.

C. Contacts

• Regular contact with customer organizations and members of Quality Assurance core and field services to provide ESHQH quality assurance information and activities.

This description is not intended to be a complete statement of every aspect of the position, but rather to act as a guide to the essential functions to be performed. Assigned functions of this job may vary, and other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or changed at the discretion of management.