Software 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

$101,376 - $188,880 Annually for the TSS.3 level

$121,728 - $226,668 Annually for the TSS.4 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe 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 have an opening for a Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Engineer. As a SQA engineer you will be responsible for interpreting, designing, and providing strategic leadership on internal procedures that meet LLNL contract requirements, Department of Energy (DOE) Orders, and consensus standards for all LLNL software. You will identify improvement opportunities, collaborate with stakeholders, and drive quality assurance practices to develop and maintain institutional program descriptions, procedures, guidelines, implementation mechanisms, and training. You will support compliance and continuous improvement efforts within the Institutional Software Quality Assurance (ISQA) Program. This position is in the Office of Laboratory Oversight’s Mission Assurance (MA) Office.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

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.

You will

• Contribute to implementation and improvement of the Institutional Software Quality Assurance Program. Define institutional processes and procedures for software quality assurance activities, ensuring adherence to contract requirements and the highest safety and reliability standards. Develop strategies for addressing highly complex institutional software quality issues/requirements.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve institutional processes and procedures for software quality assurance, ensuring alignment with DOE Orders, LLNL contract requirements, and industry best practices. Apply advanced SQA domain knowledge of all phases of the software development lifecycle to create and oversee implementation mechanisms (e.g., practices, templates, and job aides) for the Institutional Software Quality Assurance Program. 
• Work closely with engineers, project managers, and stakeholders across LLNL to communicate quality and safety objectives, resolve issues, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Plan and perform internal audits and compliance assessments of software programs, identify gaps. Provide oversight across all areas of LLNL, identify compliance status of LLNL’s SQA program(s), and communicate to stakeholders through reporting and verbal discussion.
• Provide advanced guidance, training, and briefings on SQA standards, risk management, and regulatory requirements.
• Support the development of requirements, implementation and validation of tools, workflows and documentation to optimize ensure compliance and effectiveness of the program.
• Contribute to the day-to-day operations of the ISQA program and projects, including but not limited to the following:
  • Identify and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) in response to assessments, external regulatory requirements, customer complaints and other internal / external non-conformances;
  • Assist in the gathering, analyzing and reporting of performance indicators and metrics; report the status to management;
  • Oversee software risk grading evaluations to ensure appropriate quality standards and policies are met;
  • Review SQA documents and qualification packages for adequacy and completeness to determine if the software should be authorized for nuclear/radiological safety-affecting use at LLNL.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the TSS.4 level 

• Provide subject matter expertise, authoritative review and concurrence on the designations of software as nuclear/radiological safety-affecting software (830 Software), for institutional consistency and compliance and justifications for program implementation.
• Serve as the process owner and subject matter expert for key elements of the ISQA program requirements, including CAPA, Continuous Improvement and Internal Audits.
• Provide briefings on SQA techniques, best practices, and SQA regulatory compliance to internal and external stakeholders and senior management. Seek out continuous education and training to bring industry best practices.
• Establish, tailor, and evangelize quality standards that meet internal safety & quality requirements.
• Influence tooling decisions and drive integrations that multiply effectiveness and productivity.
• Mentor others and champion a safety-first, quality-first culture across LLNL and DOE complex.
• Continuously assess and improve internal controls and system documentation to support regulatory compliance and operational excellence

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in a computer or quality related field or the equivalent combination of education and significant related experience.
• Advanced knowledge in implementing quality requirements throughout the Software Development Lifecycle activities (beyond software testing).
• Significant experience building effective relationships and a proven ability to interpret customer requests and develop system requirements.
• Advanced problem resolution, negotiation, and leadership skills with the ability to communicate effectively with others.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Sound organizational and multi-tasking skills. Willingness to dig in.

Additional qualifications at the TSS.4 level 

• Demonstrated expertise in ownership of process-improvement initiatives or quality frameworks aligned with regulatory or safety standards.
• Highly advanced experience leading projects implementing/executing SQA policy.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, and advise stakeholders, senior management, and/or external sponsors (articulate and persuasive).
• Proven influence management skills; demonstrated ability to work constructively across all functions of the organization, including with internal and external customers.
• Substantial track record of managing projects and cross functional teams.
• Highly advanced technical problem-solving skills with ability to propose and implement robust solutions to highly complex challenges.
• Expertise in continuously assessing and improving internal controls and system documentation to support regulatory compliance and operational excellence.

Qualifications We Desire

• Familiarity and experience working with DOE Order 414.1D, Quality Assurance, 10 CFR 830, Nuclear Safety Management, NAP 401.1A, NNSA Weapon Quality Policy, and ISO 9001:2015, Quality Management Systems.
• Certified as a Software Quality Engineer by the American Society for Quality.
• Certification or equivalent working knowledge and experience with implementation and improvement of quality management systems in regulated markets, such as CMMI, SPICE, ISO-9001, ISO 25010. Experience in safety software is a plus.
• Significant experience conducting performance and compliance assessments and program implementation evaluations to ensure regulatory compliance with SQA commitments.
• Experience with the maintenance of an Institutional SQA Program and tracking of safety critical software.
• Experience in digital transformation projects: writing requirements and building out internal workflows and tools to support continuous improvement initiatives.

#LI-Hybrid

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. 

California Privacy Notice

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