Quality Assurance Engineer 4

Quality Engineer (CWI / Mechanical / QC) – QE3/QE4

Compa Industries is searching for qualified candidates for a Quality Engineer position at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in Los Alamos, NM.

Salary: $91–$96/hour
Location: Los Alamos, NM (Onsite)
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship Required
Work Schedule: 4/10s (may include nights, weekends, or shift work)
Clearance: Q Clearance (ability to obtain required)

Impact

As a Quality Engineer supporting the Plutonium Infrastructure Quality organization, 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.

Responsibilities and Duties

• 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 (QE4 level)
• 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

Minimum Qualifications

• Current or prior AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification (REQUIRED)
• Advanced knowledge of quality regulations, standards, and procedures (ASME, ISO, ANSI/ASME NQA-1, NRC)
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and specifications
• Experience conducting inspections and implementing quality control processes
• Experience investigating issues and recommending solutions
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work onsite in secure and radiological environments
• Ability to obtain Q Clearance (U.S. citizenship required)

Additional for QE4:

• Expert-level knowledge of construction codes and standards
• Experience applying quality requirements within formal project management processes

Desired Skills

• DOE or nuclear quality program experience (3 years preferred)
• NDE/mechanical inspection background
• Experience in rebar, structural steel, and anchor bolt inspections
• Experience with Romer/Faro measurement tools
• Helium leak testing experience
• Experience in radiological environments (e.g., nuclear, oil & gas, refineries)
• Additional certifications (NDE, fire stopping, etc.)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Education and Experience Requirements

• Typically 8 years of relevant experience for QE3; 12 years for QE4
• Degree preferred but not required with sufficient experience
• Apprenticeship or additional technical certifications are a plus

🚫 Mandatory Experience Requirement – Read Before Applying

• 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 onsite in Los Alamos, NM and perform work in radiological environments (including PPE/respirator use).

Why Work at COMPA Industries?

We strive to provide careers, not just jobs, for our employees. We invest in and serve the communities where we work and live. We provide best-in-class administrative, professional, and technical services to solve complex problems to meet customer mission-critical objectives.

For over 30 years, Compa has been a trusted partner in progress. We combine decades of technical expertise with a forward-thinking spirit, tackling intricate challenges in nuclear facilities alongside the brightest minds in science and engineering. Join us, and don’t just build your career—build the future.

COMPA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or protected Veteran status.