Supplier Quality Engineer - Nuclear

Job Title: Supplier Quality Engineer (Nuclear)

Reports To: Quality Manager

FLSA Status & EEO Code: Exempt & Professional

Division/Department: GHM / Quality

Level of Work: II

Position Summary: The Supplier Quality Engineer is responsible for the quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and performance of external suppliers providing nuclear-grade materials, pressure-retaining components, forgings, plate, pipe, and precision piece-part machining. Serving as a qualified NQA-1 Lead Auditor, this role governs the Approved Supplier List (ASL) by conducting rigorous audits, vendor evaluations, and source surveillances in strict compliance with ASME Section III, NQA-1, and 10 CFR 50 Appendix B. The SQE collaborates cross-functionally with Procurement, Engineering, and Manufacturing to mitigate supply chain risks, enforce material traceability, manage non-conformances, and uphold zero-defect quality across safety-related applications.

Key Results Areas by level of work -

Nuclear Supplier Governance & Auditing:

1. Plan, schedule, and execute external supplier audits and surveillances as a certified NQA-1 Lead Auditor to qualify, maintain, and expand the Approved Supplier List (ASL).
2. Evaluate Qualified Material Organizations (QMO) and Quality Systems Certificate (QSC) holders per ASME Section III Subsection NCA-3800 / NCA-4000 and 10 CFR 50 Appendix B.
3. Perform pre-award assessments and periodic vendor evaluations for precision machining and material suppliers.
4. Monitor supplier-specific quality risks and advise Procurement, Engineering, and Program Management on sourcing risks and technical capability.

Material Verification, Traceability & Receiving Inspection:

1. Establish and maintain inspection plans for incoming safety-related materials, forgings, plate, piping, and machined piece-parts per purchase order requirements.
2. Perform technical reviews and verification of Certified Material Test Reports (CMTRs), heat treat charts, chemical/physical test data, and Certificate of Conformances (CoCs) against ASME Section II, Section III, and project-specific technical specifications.
3. Ensure complete, uninterrupted material traceability and heat-lot integrity from supplier receipt through shop release.

Non-conformance & Corrective Action (CAPA/SCAR):

1. Issue, track, and close Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), driving rigorous 8D/5-Why root cause analysis to eliminate recurrent defects.
2. Identify, tag, and quarantine non-conforming items; document discrepancies on Material Review Reports (MRR) and present technical data to the Material Review Board (MRB).
3. Screen supplier defects and departures from technical requirements for potential reporting obligations under 10 CFR Part 2.

Quality Management System Compliance & Continuous Improvement:

1. Generate and defend objective quality evidence (OQE) during ASME surveys, NQA-1 customer audits, and internal QMS audits.
2. Track supplier quality metrics (e.g., Right First Time, reject rates, SCAR responsiveness) and maintain operational dashboards.
3. Partner with suppliers on continuous improvement initiatives to enhance machining capabilities, reduce lead times, and eliminate process variation.