Quality Assurance Engineer

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$103,500 - $157,464 Annually

$103,500 - $131,256 Annually for the TSS.1 level

$124,200 - $157,464 Annually for the TSS.2 level

This is the lowest to highest salary in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. Pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We are looking for a Quality Assurance Engineer to manage and monitor quality assurance activities related to the waste management, waste certification database and the critical measuring and test equipment (CM&TE) program. You will manage the waste management database and coordinate updates and fixes with database programmers. You will coordinate the scheduling of calibrating and repairing CM&TE, review calibration reports, and provide assistance with audits where CM&TE is involved. You will be the primary liaison with external calibration vendors, the institutional metrology organization, internal calibration personnel, and CM&TE custodians. You will interact with all levels of Laboratory personnel, as well as the Department of Energy Livermore Field Office (DOE/LFO) principals, and LLNL Metrology Program Office. This position is in the Radioactive and Hazardous Waste Management (RHWM) Program within the Strategic Deterrence Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role you will 

• Serve as the primary technical contact for quality assurance of the RHWM waste management database.
• Prioritize upgrades, fixes, and improvements based on user feedback, regulations, and development insights.
• Oversee software status, issue resolution, and future development; ensure compliance with 830 Software Requirements and reporting to program manager and group leadership.
• Manage database access, assist users with compliance and mentor users on system functions.
• Bridge communication between RHWM operations and software engineers.
• Understand waste processes from generation to disposal and ensure adherence to Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Provide technical expertise to direct and resolve CM&TE issues through interactions with external vendors, LLNL Metrology, and internal RHWM customers.
• Ensure accurate records and familiarity with equipment functions and work closely with custodians.
• Manage procurement and calibration services, including quotes, approvals, and service completion checks and CM&TE receipt inspections.
• Collaborate with the RHWM Quality Assurance Officer to secure CM&TE inventory integrity and handle nonconformance reports (NCRs) and corrective actions.
• Oversee the CM&TE portion of RHWM’s operational budget and balance inventory needs.
• Participate in internal and external audits pertaining to the waste management database and CM&TE.
• Ensuring procedures are developed and maintained for the waste management database and CM&TE in accordance with institutional requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the TSS.2 level 

• Review and verify RHWM NCR investigations and dispositions.
• Develop and refine receipt inspection plans for procurements.
• Perform and sign off on receipt inspections.
• Lead investigations for RHWM event critiques and causals.
• Review and revise procedures to align with NQA-1 standards established by institutional Quality Assurance procedure.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship. 
• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Life Sciences, or related field or equivalent combination of education and significant related experience.
• Experience in the application of quality assurance principles, theories, concepts, and techniques; execution of quality assurance program principles at an industrial, research and development, waste management, or nuclear facility.
• Experience with development, implementation, and/or maintenance of program management databases.
• Experience working in a heavily regulated industry and having responsibility for compliance with State and Federal regulations such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
• Knowledge of regulations and protocols pertaining to 830 Software quality assurance principles and practices including software risk level determination.
• Effective decision-making, creative and innovative problem-solving skills necessary for resolving compliance issues in a demanding environment.  
• Communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively review and evaluate issues, present and explain technical information, and provide advice to management.

Additional qualifications at the TSS.2 level 

• Experience with document control processes such as document change control, management of document servers, ensuring accurate submission of paperwork, and records coordination and storage.
• Experience with critiques and casual analysis using tools such as Human Performance Improvement (HPI) or Continuous Improvement (CI) principles.
• Experience with the NQA-1 standard.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

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