Quality Engineer 2/3

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Quality Engineer 2 or 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Come join us as a Quality Engineer for Quality Support Services!

Our team consists of a diverse group of talented people who have a varying level of experience, education, and backgrounds. We believe our diversity makes us a strong and effective Quality Support Group willing to embrace any challenge. The Quality Engineer will be part of the Institutional Quality and Performance Assurance-Quality Support Services (IQPA-QSS) Group and will report to the IQPA-QSS Deployed Quality Team Leader and Group Leader. The IQPA-QSS mission is to support Institutional Programs and Projects to ensure quality requirements are implemented and compliant. The selected candidate will be deployed from IQPA-QSS to various Organizations throughout Los Alamos National Laboratory to support quality initiatives when requested; Organizations such as AMPP, TA-55, LOG-PT, EPC, etc.

The position requires an experienced professional with a full understanding of specialized areas and a working, to advanced, knowledge of quality programs, along with being able to resolve a wide range of issues in creative ways. The candidate will participate in nonconformance reporting, closures, and the corrective action processes, and will network with quality professionals in their own area of expertise. The candidate works under limited direction while receiving general instructions on new assignments. All work is evaluated upon completion to ensure objectives have been met, while demonstrating good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. The candidate has the latitude to determine a workable approach to solutions, plans the schedule, and arranges their own activities to accomplish objectives.

Quality Engineer 2 ($94,500 - $154,600)
As a Quality Engineer 2, typical responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Prepare, upgrade, and maintain Quality Assurance Plans (QAPs).
  • Assist Organization in preparation and maintenance of procedures for quality-affecting activities.
  • Assist the Organization with document control, records management, and maintaining quality records.
  • Perform periodic independent assessments to evaluate Organization's compliance with procedures.
  • Assist in the effective completion of management assessments; monitor that effective corrective measures are implemented when required.
  • Assist Organization management in resolving quality assurance problems and preventing recurrence.
  • Review procurement documents to verify inclusion of necessary quality requirements.
  • Ensure nonconformance reports (NCRs) are generated, dispositioned, and tracked to closure within an acceptable time-frame.
  • Collaborate closely with the Organization to understand their specific quality assurance needs and expectations.
  • Ensure a proactive approach to identifying issues and challenges concerning quality assurance activities; ensure a commitment to recommending and implementing corrective actions promptly.
  • Providing meticulous documentation of technical reviews, walk-downs, and other activities will be a standard practice, ensuring accurate and comprehensive records for future reference and compliance purposes.

Quality Engineer 3 ($104,100 - $172,200)
As a Quality Engineer 3, the responsibilities include those listed above at the lower level, but the candidate will be more advanced in skill set and experience.


What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • Working knowledge of and experience with quality and/or contractor assurance regulatory/contractual documents (e.g., DOE Order 414.1, DOE Order 226.1B, 10CFR830, NQA-1, DOE/NNSA weapons quality policy [NAP 401.1]). Basic knowledge and experience with the interrelation of these requirements documents.
  • Working knowledge of and/or experience with quality related regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Working knowledge of national consensus standards of quality assurance, such as ASME, ISO, Six Sigma, ANSI/SME NQA-1, DOE 414.1D and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulatory guide series.
  • Working knowledge of the intent, purpose, and design of quality and performance assurance systems, including quality and performance assurance tools, and the integration of quality into various programs and systems.
  • Knowledge of Non-Conformance reporting.
  • Knowledge of completing Observation reports and Surveillances.
  • Working knowledge with quality assurance activities including reporting outcomes and recommending corrective actions.
  • Working knowledge to understand and interpret various technical documents, drawings, and schematics
  • Familiar with the preparing, upgrading, and maintaining a Quality Assurance Plan (QAP).
  • Coordinate, review and report on selected engineering and procurement documents to assure the inclusion of applicable quality requirements.
  • Ability to mentor less experienced personnel, as assigned.
  • Proven record of success in providing customer focused services and participating on cross organizational teams.
  • Strong oral and written skills.
  • Working knowledge in the interpretation, verification, and validation of data.
  • Coordinate the preparation of QA procedures for review, approval, and issues in accordance with approved Laboratory procedures.
  • Foster a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

Additional Job Requirements for Quality Engineer 3:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

  • Substitute all instances of 'Working Knowledge' above with 'Advanced Knowledge'.
  • Demonstrated advanced record of accomplishments and progressive responsibility experience in specialized/relevant field.
  • Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal and communication skills as evidenced by successful interaction with various levels of management, state and federal regulators, stakeholders, and suppliers.
  • Review and prepare procurement documentation relevant to quality assurance and quality engineering requirements.
  • Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of processes, procedures, and applications contributing to the overall objective of sustaining an effective Quality program.
  • Lead, coordinate, and/or conduct audits and surveillance of quality-affecting engineering, procurement, and ancillary project work.
  • Advanced proven record of success leading cross-organizational teams.
  • Advanced ability to work with minimal direction to accomplish general programmatic objectives.
  • Advanced ability to interact successfully under pressure.
  • Advanced experience with mentoring personnel.
  • Excellent prioritization skills.

Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, QE / Quality Assurance (QA), or Industrial Systems Engineering or a related field and 5 year of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher level:
Position requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, QE or Industrial Systems Engineering or a related field and 8 year of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma and its application within a production facility.
  • Experience working with engineers, journeyman machinists, inspectors, programmers, and maintenance technicians.
  • Working knowledge and ability to develop and administer management information systems and to audit quality systems for deficiency identification and correction.
  • Working knowledge in QA program development and conducting formal assessments and/or supplier evaluations.
  • Currently or previously achieved lead auditor certification from a recognized professional organization and/or lead auditor qualification from a previous employer.
  • Prior experience with or certification in RCA - Root Cause Analysis (e.g. Blue Dragon Certification)

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, balancing.

Work Environment: Toxic Chemicals, Irritant Chemicals, Fumes. Protective Clothing & Environment: Safety Glasses or Eye Protection, Total Environmental Isolation Garment, Safety Shoes or Protective Footgear.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
  • PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
  • Dental and vision insurance
  • Free basic life and disability insurance
  • Paid childbirth and parental leave
  • Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
  • Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
  • Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
  • Onsite gyms and wellness programs
  • Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.