Quality Assurance Laboratory Manager

About the role

The Quality Assurance Laboratory Manager directs testing and inspection for a nuclear fuel manufacturing pilot plant. The manager leads a technical team to support production schedules and compliance.

QA and test roles make sure software works before users see it. Testers design test cases, run manual and automated checks, and report defects. QA engineers build test frameworks that run with every release. Attention to detail and clear defect reports are the core skills. QA teams protect release quality and user trust. Most teams combine manual checks with automated suites that run on every commit.

Key facts

What you'll do

Laboratory staff receive supervision, coaching, and development to uphold safety, precision, and accountability.

Nuclear quality standards such as NQA-1 and ISO 17025 are maintained through strict adherence and records oversight.

Test methods, validation activities, data reports, and deviations are reviewed and approved for accuracy and compliance.

Laboratory instruments and equipment are calibrated and maintained to ensure reliable performance.

Accurate, reproducible, and fully traceable test results are ensured for technical integrity.

Root-cause analysis and corrective actions are supported to resolve quality issues promptly.

Process performance metrics on yield, cost, and safety are collected, analyzed, and reported.

Key performance indicators and operational insights are presented in detailed reports to stakeholders.

Material specifications and testing methodologies receive expert guidance to support process qualification and improvements.

Requirements

Passion for quality products, safety, and continuous improvement drives performance across the organization.

Annual regulatory and company requirements for nuclear fuel Quality Assurance are consistently met.

Testing and reporting turnaround times are managed promptly to support production and compliance.

Collaboration with Fuel Operations, Radiological Safety, EH&S, Materials Controls and Accountability meets production, safety, and regulatory reporting needs.

Solutions increase productivity while maintaining quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Fast-paced environments are handled with a results-driven focus.

Practical notes

United States citizenship or lawful permanent residency is required.

Onsite presence at the Orangeville, Utah pilot plant is expected for extended commissioning and production campaigns.

Typical interview steps

QA interviews usually include a test design exercise, a bug report scenario, and a coding or scripting question for automation roles. Candidates may be asked to test a login flow or prioritize fixes for a release. Structured, thorough thinking is what interviewers look for. Interviewers often ask how you would test a specific feature. Listing happy paths, edge cases, and failure modes in order is the winning structure.

Good to know

Roles in nuclear quality assurance often work under strict regulatory frameworks and high-stakes safety environments.

Nuclear fuel manufacturing facilities emphasize traceability, data integrity, and compliance with standards like NQA-1.

Cross-functional teamwork is typical to align manufacturing, engineering, and regulatory activities.

This role combines laboratory management, technical testing, and leadership within a regulated energy sector.

Questions to ask

Good questions to ask the employer in the interview: what does success look like in the first six months, how is the team structured, what is the current biggest challenge, and how are decisions made. Asking about growth paths and the review process is also well received. Employers expect questions, and good ones show preparation.

Career growth

QA careers grow from manual tester to QA engineer, test lead, and quality manager roles. Automation experience opens the fastest path. Some people move into developer or release engineering roles as skills deepen. QA careers reward automation skills and a systematic eye. Testers who can articulate product risk influence release decisions.