External Quality Assurance Lead

Oklo·Santa Clara, CA or Remote·Posted today

Nuclear industryUS only

About this role

Lead external supplier quality oversight for Oklo's advanced nuclear reactor projects. This senior-level role manages supplier audits, qualifications, and regulatory compliance to ensure purchased materials, equipment, software, and services meet nuclear quality, regulatory (10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B, ASME NQA-1), and technical requirements. You'll serve as Lead Auditor, manage supplier performance and nonconformances, and ensure alignment with nuclear industry quality standards.

Responsibilities

—Serve as Lead Auditor for external supplier audits, including audit planning, team coordination, checklist development, entrance/exit meetings, objective evidence evaluation, and corrective-action verification
—Manage supplier evaluations, qualifications, requalifications, scope changes, and maintenance of approved supplier lists
—Manage supplier nonconformances, audit findings, corrective-action requests, and performance issues from identification through closure
—Develop and maintain annual and long-range supplier audit and surveillance schedules based on risk, safety significance, and procurement scope
—Plan and perform supplier surveillances, source inspections, witness and hold-point oversight, and performance-based assessments at supplier facilities
—Review supplier QA programs, procedures, and records for alignment with ASME NQA-1, 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B, and contractual commitments
—Partner with Procurement and Engineering to define procurement quality requirements, acceptance criteria, special process requirements, and Part 21 obligations
—Support evaluation of deviations, defects, counterfeit/fraudulent items, and supplier-reported issues, including Part 21 screening and escalation
—Ensure supplier documentation (certificates of conformance, material certifications, inspection records, calibration records, traceability) is complete and acceptable before use
—Monitor supplier performance metrics, trends, and risks; prepare quality status reports; recommend restrictions, corrective actions, or disqualification when warranted
—Provide mentoring to audit team members and internal stakeholders on audit practices, procurement quality controls, and evidence-based assessment methods

Qualifications

—Current documented qualification as an NQA-1 Lead Auditor
—Working knowledge of 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B and ASME NQA-1, including audit planning, performance, objective evidence review, and corrective-action closure
—Experience evaluating suppliers, QA programs, quality records, and procurement requirements for safety-related or quality-affecting items and services
—Experience managing supplier oversight activities such as surveillances, source inspections, nonconformances, corrective actions, and performance reviews
—Ability to interpret technical and quality requirements in purchase orders, specifications, drawings, procedures, codes, standards, and supplier quality documentation
—Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to write audit reports, document findings, and communicate risk-based recommendations
—Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound quality judgment, and escalate supplier quality risks appropriately
—Willingness and ability to travel to supplier locations, including domestic and occasional international travel

Desired

—Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality, physical sciences, nuclear technology, or related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience
—Experience supporting advanced reactor, small modular reactor, microreactor, nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear construction, or nuclear manufacturing programs
—Experience with commercial grade dedication, item/service classification, critical characteristics, special processes, source verification, or supplier technical evaluations
—Experience overseeing suppliers performing welding, nondestructive examination, heat treatment, machining, fabrication, software, engineering services, or other quality-affecting work
—Certification or training in root cause analysis, corrective action program management, ISO 9001 auditing, ASME Section III, or nuclear procurement quality
—Experience developing supplier quality procedures, audit checklists, qualification scorecards, risk models, and supplier performance metrics
—Experience mentoring auditors or leading multi-discipline audit teams