Quality Assurance Manager

Job Title: Quality Assurance Manager

Location: On Site - Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Salary: $130,000-$150,000

Skills: ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), NQA-1 Lead Auditor certification, ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CQM), ASME, ISO 9001, AS9100, nuclear manufacturing, aerospace

About the the Opportunity:

A growing, privately backed advanced materials manufacturer is seeking a Quality Manager to lead and oversee its quality assurance program in a highly regulated environment supporting the nuclear energy industry.

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for ensuring compliance with ASME NQA-1 standards, driving quality initiatives across manufacturing operations, and supporting continued company growth.

The Quality Manager will own and manage the company’s NQA-1 compliant Quality Assurance program, ensuring all processes, materials, and documentation meet strict nuclear quality and regulatory standards.

This individual will lead quality personnel, oversee audits and supplier quality, and drive continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and maintain an NQA-1 compliant QA program
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards (NRC, DOE, etc.)
• Oversee inspection, testing, and manufacturing quality processes
• Lead internal and external audits and manage audit readiness
• Manage nonconformance (NCR) and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes
• Qualify and audit suppliers to ensure compliance with nuclear quality requirements
• Ensure full traceability of materials, components, and processes
• Lead, mentor, and develop quality team members
• Maintain quality documentation, procedures, and records in accordance with NQA-1
• Partner cross-functionally with engineering, production, and operations teams

Must-Have Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7–10 years of quality assurance experience within nuclear, aerospace, or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong working knowledge of ASME NQA-1, ISO 9001, and/or AS9100 standards.
• Demonstrated experience leading audits, managing supplier quality, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Certified as an ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CQM), ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), and NQA-1 Lead Auditor.
• Deep understanding of quality systems, codes, and documentation accuracy.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with keen attention to detail.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Experience in advanced ceramics manufacturing or glass, ceramics, and concrete industry environments.
• Familiarity with ITAR regulations and Department of Energy requirements.
• Background in supporting R&D and new product introduction in regulated industries.
• Hands-on exposure to configuration management and document revision control.
• Previous team leadership roles in quality, quality engineering, or technical management.
• Experience designing and delivering training on NQA-1 standards and best QA practices.
• Direct interaction experience with nuclear customers, suppliers, and government auditors.