Quality Assurance (QA) Laboratory Manager

Location: Orangeville, UTEmployment Type: Direct HireSalary: $90k/yr. - $170k/yr.The Quality Assurance (QA) Laboratory Manager will oversee all analytical, inspection, and testing activities within the Quality Assurance Laboratory of an advanced nuclear fuel manufacturing facility.This role ensures that all materials, in-process products, and finished nuclear fuel components meet rigorous regulatory, safety, quality, and performance standards.Key ResponsibilitiesLaboratory Leadership & Management

• Direct daily laboratory operations and ensure testing activities align with production schedules, quality requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Supervise, coach, and develop Laboratory Technicians.
• Promote a laboratory culture centered on safety, precision, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate laboratory workload, testing priorities, staffing, and equipment availability to support production requirements.
• Maintain inventory of required laboratory consumables and testing materials.

• Maintain compliance with applicable nuclear industry and laboratory quality standards, including NQA-1 and ISO 17025.
• Ensure laboratory activities follow established regulatory requirements, procedures, and quality control standards.
• Maintain proper documentation, material traceability, testing records, and quality records.
• Support internal audits, customer requirements, and regulatory inspections.
• Ensure laboratory procedures and documentation remain accurate, current, controlled, and audit-ready.

• Oversee chemical, radiological, metallurgical, and mechanical testing programs required for nuclear fuel qualification and manufacturing.
• Review and approve analytical test methods, validation activities, test data, reports, and deviations.
• Ensure laboratory instruments and testing equipment are properly calibrated, maintained, and serviced.
• Track and execute required equipment calibrations and scheduled instrument maintenance.
• Maintain and operate analytical instrumentation as required to support laboratory operations.

• Ensure analytical and inspection results are accurate, reproducible, properly documented, and fully traceable.
• Oversee the collection, reduction, review, and storage of laboratory data.
• Prepare and review technical reports and Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
• Support nonconformance investigations and technical evaluations.
• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action activities related to laboratory or product quality issues.

• Collect, analyze, and report engineering and laboratory metrics related to:
  • Process performance
  • Yield
  • Cost
  • Quality
  • Safety
• Develop and present reports on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and operational performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory efficiency, testing turnaround times, reliability, and productivity without compromising quality, safety, or regulatory compliance.

• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, R&D, Procurement, Regulatory Affairs, Radiological Safety, EH&S, and Materials Control & Accountability teams.
• Support process qualification, production activities, and continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance regarding material specifications, analytical methods, and testing methodologies.
• Collaborate across departments to meet production, safety, quality, and regulatory reporting requirements.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Nuclear Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Advanced degree preferred.

• 3+ years of experience working in a regulated laboratory environment, preferably within nuclear, aerospace, medical, pharmaceutical, or another high-reliability manufacturing sector.
• Demonstrated experience leading or managing technical laboratory personnel.
• Experience with analytical testing, quality systems, laboratory operations, and controlled documentation practices.

• Strong understanding of analytical instrumentation and testing technologies, such as:
  • ICP-MS
  • XRF
  • DSC
  • Ion Chromatography (IC)
  • XRD
  • FTIR
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory standards, safety protocols, laboratory practices, and quality control requirements.
• Understanding of equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, and laboratory instrument lifecycle management.
• Strong technical documentation and data integrity skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interface effectively with regulators, customers, technical personnel, and cross-functional teams.

• Experience working within nuclear fuel manufacturing, nuclear energy, or another highly regulated technical environment.
• Familiarity with NQA-1 and ISO 17025 quality requirements.
• Experience supporting laboratory commissioning, qualification, or production startup activities.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with strict safety and regulatory requirements.
• Willingness to work at a fuel pilot-line facility during extended commissioning and production campaigns.
• Ability to work in a secure, safety-conscious environment and handle sensitive materials in accordance with established safety and regulatory requirements.

INDH

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