Principal Quality Engineer - Nuclear Energy

Job Summary

Battelle is seeking a Principal Quality Engineer to serve as the enterprise technical authority for nuclear Quality Assurance (QA) across advanced reactor development programs. This role provides strategic QA leadership for next generation reactor technologies, ensuring alignment with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Energy (DOE), and applicable international frameworks.

The Principal Quality Engineer acts as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, customers, and regulators, shaping quality strategy, regulatory positioning, and licensing readiness across the full lifecycle of advanced nuclear technologies. This position is accountable for the effectiveness, scalability, and regulatory defensibility of nuclear QA programs across multiple programs and customers, driving consistency and scalability across the organization’s reactor development portfolio.

Responsibilities

QA Program Development and Regulatory Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain nuclear QA programs compliant with 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B, DOE O 414.1E, and ASME NQA 1.


• Establish and maintain the top tier QA Program Description (QAPD) and supporting implementing procedures.


• Define and apply graded approach methodologies, including structures, systems, and components (SSC) safety classification and special treatment requirements.


• Provide authoritative interpretation of QA regulatory requirements.


• Serve as primary interface with NRC, DOE, and customers for QA related audits, reviews, and regulatory engagements.

Design Control and Verification

• Establish design control, verification, and change control processes for safety related SSCs.


• Define verifier independence requirements and serve as, or designate, independent design verifiers.


• Develop and oversee software quality processes in accordance with NQA 1 Part II, Subpart 2.7.

Procurement, Supplier, and Supply Chain Quality

• Establish procurement quality requirements, supplier qualification criteria, and commercial grade dedication (CGD) processes.


• Maintain approved supplier lists and oversee supplier audits, surveillance, and source inspections. 


• Implement Suspect/Counterfeit Item (S/CI) prevention and supply chain risk mitigation programs.

Fabrication and Operations Readiness

• Provide QA oversight for fabrication, inspection, testing, handling, storage, and shipping of nuclear components.


• Establish quality controls supporting construction, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities.


• Support maintenance, in service inspection, and surveillance programs as applicable.

Audits, Assessments, and Corrective Action

• Lead internal audit and assessment programs in accordance with NQA 1 requirements.


• Manage corrective action programs, including root cause analysis, trending, and effectiveness reviews.


• Support management assessments of QA program adequacy and performance.

Enterprise Leadership and Influence

• Develop and institutionalize scalable QA frameworks and methodologies to support consistent application across current and future reactor programs.


• Serve as Battelle’s nuclear QA subject matter authority in program decision forums.


• Mentor and develop quality engineers and auditors across the organization.


• Drive consistency, standardization, and reuse of nuclear QA frameworks, tools, and methodologies.


• Shape and influence business development activities, including defining QA strategy, supporting capture efforts, and contributing to proposal development and positioning.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical science, or related technical discipline.


• 10+ years of progressive QA experience, including 7+ years in nuclear QA.


• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing QA programs compliant with 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B and ASME NQA‑1.


• Working knowledge of DOE O 414.1E CRD Attachment 2 requirements.


• Experience developing QA implementing procedures across multiple 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B criteria.


• Experience with commercial grade dedication and critical characteristic identification per NQA‑1 Subpart 2.14.


• NQA‑1 Lead Auditor certification (current or ability to obtain).


• Experience interfacing with NRC and/or DOE on QA program matters.


• Strong technical writing skills and ability to produce regulator‑ready documents.

Preferred Qualifications

Education and Professional Certifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline.


• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE).

Nuclear Domain Experience

• Experience supporting advanced reactor programs (e.g., PHWR, HTGR, MSR, SFR, microreactors).


• Familiarity with risk informed QA and 10 CFR Part 53 concepts.


• Experience with NRC pre application engagements and licensing strategy development.


• Knowledge of ASME Section III and its interface with NQA 1.


• Experience supporting construction, commissioning, or startup of nuclear facilities.

Technical Tools and Specialized Skills

• Software QA experience per NQA 1 Part II, Subpart 2.7.


• Experience implementing electronic QMS and/or PLM tools in a nuclear environment.


• Configuration management experience per NQA 1 Requirement 3.


• Proficiency with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.