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Quality Assurance Specialist

US National Nuclear Security Administration
Kansas, MO Full Time | Part Time
POSTED ON 9/18/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/16/2027

Summary

This position is part of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of Mission Assurance. As a Quality Assurance Specialist, you will be responsible for contributing either individually or as a member of a team, a variety of technical and analytical support services pertaining to Weapon Quality Assurance (WQA) and Quality Management (QM) aspects of operations at the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC).

Learn more about this agency


This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Clarification from the agency

Open to United States Citizens


Duties

As a Weapon Quality Assurance Specialist, you will:

  • Perform quality assurance assessments of weapon quality assurance programs, design requirements and production systems, processes, procedures and work instructions, documenting results in a technical report.
  • Develop new procedures and product specific Quality Assurance Inspection Procedures for the purpose of defining the critical product acceptance requirements for verification inspection items
  • Plan and perform weapon and weapon related product verification inspections and Contractor Acceptance Verifications (CAV) at the M&O contractor facilities to determine conformance to the product design agency and production agency drawing and specification requirements, and to quality requirements.
  • Plan and perform assigned Weapon Quality Assurance surveys of the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) contractor or subcontractor as defined in the NNSA Weapon Quality Policy.
  • Write findings and defect reports where quality programs are found deficient, and requires correction action reports to address the root cause of the deficiency. Represent the NNSA in evaluating, validating, and approving corrective action reports for adequacy and effectiveness.


Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
  • May be required to successfully complete a one (1) year probationary period. Employees serving on a probationary may be terminated at any time during the probationary for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service
  • Subject to Random Drug Testing.
  • Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
  • Favorable suitability determination required.
  • Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance.
  • Please limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, you will be disqualified.
Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to competitive service positions for the first time; or reinstated employees who return to Federal service after a break in service of 30-days or more and who have not completed a probationary period will need to complete the requirement.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
NQ-02
A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level NQ-1 or GS-7 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as using basic engineering principles of electrical, plastic, and mechanics to apply weapons quality assurance techniques and using sampling inspection or intensive product inspection techniques to verify that products comply with requirements prior to acceptance.
Examples of specialized experience is as follow:
1. Perform pre-production assessments of tooling, test equipment, and facilities.
2. Review contractor personnel training and certifications.
3. Evaluate contractor's failure analysis of equipment/product interface when malfunctions occur.
4. Provide technical information on assigned weapon products, technologies, or systems.

Education

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study - quality assurance, statistics, mathematics, production management, industrial management, computer science, engineering, engineering technology, physical sciences, textiles, or other fields related to the position.OR

Experience that demonstrated a practical knowledge in monitoring, controlling, or maintaining the quality of products or services in quality assurance, procurement, inspection, production, or related areas. Examples include:

  • Reviewing production activities and capabilities in light of contract quality requirements.
  • Reviewing written quality or inspection procedures for adequacy, and evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of quality/inspection systems, including sampling plans.
  • Analyzing quality data to detect unsatisfactory trends or weaknesses in the quality/inspection system.
  • Verifying by test or inspection, using sampling inspection or intensive product inspection techniques, that products comply with requirements prior to acceptance.
  • Identifying inadequacies and requesting corrective action.
  • Computing data, summarizing results, and preparing reports or charts depicting pertinent relationships using statistical methods.
  • Investigating customer complaints and deficiency reports, and providing identification of causes to appropriate authorities.
  • Reading, interpreting, and applying technical data such as blueprints, engineering drawings, product specifications, or technical manuals.
  • Reviewing and evaluating supply systems operations and procedures through periodic audits and surveillance inspections.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

  • The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.


How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials ( e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Communication
  • Decision Making
  • Product Evaluation
  • Quality Assurance
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Technical Documentation

The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
Note regarding USA Hire Assessment: This is a pay-banded position that is equivalent to the GS-07 level. The Assessment administered will be GS-07 equivalent, therefore, test results that remain on record in the USA Staffing system will reflect the GS-07 level only.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Note: If you wish to include a link for applicants to preview the application questionnaire using the Application Preview data insert, ensure you refer to it as the application questionnaire, rather than the assessment questionnaire, to avoid confusion with the USA Hire Assessment. For example:

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13058269


Required Documents

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

  • Your RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
  • Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
  • Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement.Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
  • Veterans' Preference documentation,if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
  • Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.


How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents sections. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

The application process is as follows:

  • Click the Apply Online button.
  • Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
  • You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
  • If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
  • Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
  • Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
  • Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use your assessment link.
  • Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources:
https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_Assessments.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has been closed.

To view the application status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.


Agency contact information

Cathy Lee-Amos
Email
Cathy.lee-amos@nnsa.doe.gov
Address
NNSA - Kansas City Field Office
24600 20th St SE
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5507
US

Next steps

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessment. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Your assessment result will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

To be considered for the position, you must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessment.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated. You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJOBS Account and editing the Notification Settings. You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.


Overview

Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Kansas City, MO
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$62,729 - $118,173 per year
Pay scale & grade
NQ 2
Promotion potential
None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
  • 1910 Quality Assurance
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Q Access Authorization
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
  • Credentialing
  • Suitability/Fitness
  • National security
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
26-NA-KC-XE-01022-DEU
Control number
884760200

Salary : $62,729 - $118,173

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