Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer

Position : Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer III

Salary Range : $83,733 to $139,556 - plus per diem during travel

Benefits : Robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with %5 employer match, Annual Merit Increase, Annual COLA increase, Annual Bonus, Medical/Dental /Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, 20 days’ universal leave, 11 paid holidays

Relocation : Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.

Location : Oak Ridge, TN (outside of Knoxville)

Travel Expectations: 30%-40% first year / %20 - %30 annually after year one

Hours : 8:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday

Work Site Expectations: 5 days a week in office unless you are travelling

Job Description:

Supplier Quality Engineer III is a key member of the TRISO-X Quality team responsible for ensuring that materials, components, and services procured from external suppliers meet stringent nuclear quality standards. TRISO-X is our fuel fabrication plant that manufactures X-energy’s proprietary Triso fuel. This role serves as the primary interface between TRISO-X and its supply chain, conducting supplier audits, qualifying new suppliers, and managing incoming material acceptance under NQA-1 requirements. The position places particular emphasis on Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) and qualification of software used in TRISO fuel manufacturing processes.

This is an individual contributor role with potential for direct reports as the supply chain and quality organization grow. Expect %30 to %40 travel to supplier sites in the first year then %20 to %30 after. Daily per diem provided during travel.

Job Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Materials Science, or related technical field5-8 years of experience in quality assurance/quality engineering in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with 3rd party supplier quality management, auditing, and qualification processes, not solely internal audits.
• Experience with incoming material inspection and acceptance processes
• Experience with quality management in regulated industries (nuclear, aerospace, medical devices, or automotive)

Job Profile Tasks/Responsibilities:

• Supplier Quality Management (60%)
• Lead supplier audits and assessments (on-site and remote) to verify compliance with NQA-1 and 10 CFR 50 Appendix B requirements
• Develop and execute supplier qualification plans for new vendors supporting TRISO fuel production
• Evaluate supplier quality management systems, manufacturing processes, and quality documentation
• Review and approve supplier quality plans, inspection and test plans (ITPs), and quality records
• Manage supplier corrective action requests (SCARs) and track closure of nonconformances
• Monitor supplier performance metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Maintain qualified supplier list (QSL) and supplier quality documentation
• Incoming Material Acceptance & Inspection (25%
• Develop and maintain inspection and acceptance criteria for procured materials and components
• Review supplier certificates of conformance (C of C) and source documentation
• Perform or witness incoming inspections and tests as required by procurement specifications
• Interface with receiving inspection and QC teams to ensure proper material acceptance
• Manage nonconforming material disposition and supplier notification processes
• Maintain traceability and quality records in accordance with NQA-1 requirements
• Software Qualification (15%)
• Lead Commercial Grade Dedication (CGD) activities for software procured from commercial suppliers
• Qualify software used in TRISO fuel manufacturing processes (e.g., process control, data acquisition, manufacturing execution systems)
• Apply NQA-1 Subpart 2.7 requirements to software quality assurance activities
• Review and approve software documentation including requirements specifications, test reports, and validation records
• Assess supplier software development processes and quality controls
• Maintain software qualification documentation and configuration management records