What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Assurance Engineer position at Coastal International Security, Inc.?
Quality Assurance Engineer (QE3/QE4) - Plutonium Infrastructure (DOE/LANL)
Location: Los Alamos, NM | 100% Onsite
Compensation: $91-$96/hr
Schedule: 4/10s (may include nights, weekends, or shift work)
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship Required
Clearance: Q Clearance preferred; ability to obtain required
Why This Role
As a Quality Engineer supporting the Plutonium Infrastructure Quality organization at LANL, you will play a critical role in ensuring quality assurance and inspection standards are met for mission-critical nuclear infrastructure projects. This position directly supports national security objectives by ensuring compliance with rigorous DOE and nuclear quality standards while contributing to safe and effective project execution.
What You'll Do
Required
Location: Los Alamos, NM | 100% Onsite
Compensation: $91-$96/hr
Schedule: 4/10s (may include nights, weekends, or shift work)
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship Required
Clearance: Q Clearance preferred; ability to obtain required
Why This Role
As a Quality Engineer supporting the Plutonium Infrastructure Quality organization at LANL, you will play a critical role in ensuring quality assurance and inspection standards are met for mission-critical nuclear infrastructure projects. This position directly supports national security objectives by ensuring compliance with rigorous DOE and nuclear quality standards while contributing to safe and effective project execution.
What You'll Do
- Perform Level II QC inspections on mechanical and welding systems
- Evaluate quality issues and recommend corrective actions
- Develop and update inspection procedures, reports, and checklists
- Serve as Nonconformance Report Coordinator (NCRC), including tracking and closure of reports
- Monitor construction and operational activities for compliance with plans, specifications, and quality standards
- Interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical documents
- Ensure adherence to quality control procedures and inspection/test plans
- Apply statistical process control methods and analyze data to identify trends, failure modes, and improvement opportunities (QE4 level)
- Work in radiological and secure environments, including use of PPE and respirators as needed
Required
- U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a DOE Q Clearance
- Current or prior AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification - no exceptions
- Advanced knowledge of quality regulations and standards: ASME, ISO, ANSI/ASME NQA-1, NRC
- Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and specifications
- Experience conducting inspections and implementing quality control processes
- Ability to work onsite in secure and radiological environments
- Expert-level knowledge of construction codes and standards
- Experience applying quality requirements within formal project management processes
- 12 years of relevant experience (QE3 requires 8 years)
- DOE or nuclear quality program experience (3 years preferred)
- NDE/mechanical inspection background
- Experience with rebar, structural steel, and anchor bolt inspections
- Experience with Romer/Faro measurement tools
- Helium leak testing experience
- Experience in radiological environments (nuclear, oil & gas, refineries)
- Additional certifications (NDE, fire stopping, etc.)
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Must have a current or prior AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification - no exceptions
- Must be able to obtain a DOE Q Clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
- Must be able to work 100% onsite in Los Alamos, NM and perform work in radiological environments including PPE/respirator use
Salary : $91 - $96