What Your Job Will Be LikeSandia's Integrated Nuclear Waste Management Program (INWM) has a great opportunity for a motivated and innovative Quality Systems Professional to lead Sandia's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (SNL WIPP) Quality Assurance program in Carlsbad, NM. You will be expected to establish and oversee key aspects of the SNL WIPP quality program improvement efforts, such as developing and administering elements of the program, training and coaching employees, and driving continuous improvement and efficiency throughout the organization. You will act as a champion for high quality results institution-wide.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Serve as the Sandia QA lead for the SNL WIPP quality assurance program.
- Assess current quality processes from various requirements, including in relation to Sandia corporate (Lab Policy System) and the CBFO Quality Assurance Program Description (QAPD); ASME NQA-1, -2, -3 (1989); other DOE-related codes, standards, regulations; and EPA regulatory guides 40 CFR 194 (criteria for WIPP's compliance) and 40 CFR 191 (disposal regulations).
- Assist Sandia management and staff with quality planning, documentation, and problem identification and resolution.
- Apply principles and techniques of auditing, including planning, examining, evaluating, and reporting.
- Conduct QA audits, assessments, and surveillances and support internal and external audits.
- Identify opportunities to eliminate, create, or streamline internal procedures and local policies to enhance efficiency and quality.
- Actively contribute to the Quality Steering Committee (QSC) as an advocate for continuous improvement initiatives.
- Cultivate a safe, secure, creative, and productive work environment for all.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.
Salary Range$87,400 - $168,800
*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.
Qualifications We Require- Bachelor's degree in engineering, geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, chemistry, math, or other relevant field, plus five years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of the job.
- Demonstrated experience with quality assurance requirements, such as ASME NQA-1, -2, or -3.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance.
Qualifications We Desire- ISO or ASME NQA-1 Auditor qualification.
- Significant experience with ASME NQA-1 quality assurance requirements.
- Master's degree or PhD in a relevant STEM field.
- Three or more years of demonstrated project leadership and/or managerial experience.
- ASME NQA-1 Lead Auditor qualification.
- Ability to organize, prioritize, and follow through to completion on multiple tasks.
- Ability to deliver results, effectively manage and mentor staff, and guide multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to facilitate uncompromising, high-quality standards while maintaining effective working relationships.
- Ability to track, analyze, and identify trends in data to detect areas of risk and systemic issues, and provide effective solutions.
- Ability to identify and implement process improvements while adhering to standards and raising expectations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to model behaviors that reflect Sandia's core values.
About Our TeamThe INWM program comprises approximately 50 staff across three departments, supporting Sandia's role as scientific advisor to the Department of Energy's Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Sandia's involvement with WIPP began in the fall of 1974, and our Carlsbad office was established in 1994, reflecting the enduring importance of this work. WIPP, operated by Salado Isolation Mining Contractors, LLC under contract to CBFO, is the world's only licensed and operating deep geologic repository for the disposal of transuranic waste. Its significance to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) will only increase with new plutonium pit production at Los Alamos National Laboratory, as WIPP remains the nation's sole repository for defense-related nuclear waste. Sandia National Laboratories - Carlsbad provides scientific advice to CBFO in areas such as modifications to the repository's operating permits, periodic recertification, ongoing monitoring of repository performance against regulatory requirements, and optimization of the national transuranic waste complex. The Quality Assurance team oversees the SNL WIPP quality program to ensure that work products meet or exceed customers' needs and expectations. Our work is vital to ensuring the future of nuclear waste management in the United States.
Posting DurationThis posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
Security ClearanceSandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.
Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.
