Software Quality Assurance Engineer

We have an opening for a Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Engineer. As a SQA engineer you will be responsible for interpreting designing and providing strategic leadership on internal procedures that meet LLNL contract requirements Department of Energy (DOE) Orders and consensus standards for all LLNL software. You will identify improvement opportunities collaborate with stakeholders and drive quality assurance practices to develop and maintain institutional program descriptions procedures guidelines implementation mechanisms and training. You will support compliance and continuous improvement efforts within the Institutional Software Quality Assurance (ISQA) Program. This position is in the Office of Laboratory Oversights Mission Assurance (MA) Office.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Contribute to implementation and improvement of the Institutional Software Quality Assurance Program. Define institutional processes and procedures for software quality assurance activities ensuring adherence to contract requirements and the highest safety and reliability standards. Develop strategies for addressing highly complex institutional software quality issues/requirements.
• Design implement and continuously improve institutional processes and procedures for software quality assurance ensuring alignment with DOE Orders LLNL contract requirements and industry best practices. Apply advanced SQA domain knowledge of all phases of the software development lifecycle to create and oversee implementation mechanisms (e.g. practices templates and job aides) for the Institutional Software Quality Assurance Program. 
• Work closely with engineers project managers and stakeholders across LLNL to communicate quality and safety objectives resolve issues and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Plan and perform internal audits and compliance assessments of software programs identify gaps. Provide oversight across all areas of LLNL identify compliance status of LLNLs SQA program(s) and communicate to stakeholders through reporting and verbal discussion.
• Provide advanced guidance training and briefings on SQA standards risk management and regulatory requirements.
• Support the development of requirements implementation and validation of tools workflows and documentation to optimize ensure compliance and effectiveness of the program.
• Contribute to the day-to-day operations of the ISQA program and projects including but not limited to the following:
  • Identify and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) in response to assessments external regulatory requirements customer complaints and other internal / external non-conformances;
  • Assist in the gathering analyzing and reporting of performance indicators and metrics; report the status to management;
  • Oversee software risk grading evaluations to ensure appropriate quality standards and policies are met;
  • Review SQA documents and qualification packages for adequacy and completeness to determine if the software should be authorized for nuclear/radiological safety-affecting use at LLNL.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the TSS.4 level 

• Provide subject matter expertise authoritative review and concurrence on the designations of software as nuclear/radiological safety-affecting software (830 Software) for institutional consistency and compliance and justifications for program implementation.
• Serve as the process owner and subject matter expert for key elements of the ISQA program requirements including CAPA Continuous Improvement and Internal Audits.
• Provide briefings on SQA techniques best practices and SQA regulatory compliance to internal and external stakeholders and senior management. Seek out continuous education and training to bring industry best practices.
• Establish tailor and evangelize quality standards that meet internal safety & quality requirements.
• Influence tooling decisions and drive integrations that multiply effectiveness and productivity.
• Mentor others and champion a safety-first quality-first culture across LLNL and DOE complex.
• Continuously assess and improve internal controls and system documentation to support regulatory compliance and operational excellence

Qualifications :

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelors degree in a computer or quality related field or the equivalent combination of education and significant related experience.
• Advanced knowledge in implementing quality requirements throughout the Software Development Lifecycle activities (beyond software testing).
• Significant experience building effective relationships and a proven ability to interpret customer requests and develop system requirements.
• Advanced problem resolution negotiation and leadership skills with the ability to communicate effectively with others.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Sound organizational and multi-tasking skills. Willingness to dig in.

Additional qualifications at the TSS.4 level 

• Demonstrated expertise in ownership of process-improvement initiatives or quality frameworks aligned with regulatory or safety standards.
• Highly advanced experience leading projects implementing/executing SQA policy.
• Expert communication facilitation and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present and advise stakeholders senior management and/or external sponsors (articulate and persuasive).
• Proven influence management skills; demonstrated ability to work constructively across all functions of the organization including with internal and external customers.
• Substantial track record of managing projects and cross functional teams.
• Highly advanced technical problem-solving skills with ability to propose and implement robust solutions to highly complex challenges.
• Expertise in continuously assessing and improving internal controls and system documentation to support regulatory compliance and operational excellence.

Qualifications We Desire

• Familiarity and experience working with DOE Order 414.1D Quality Assurance 10 CFR 830 Nuclear Safety Management NAP 401.1A NNSA Weapon Quality Policy and ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems.
• Certified as a Software Quality Engineer by the American Society for Quality.
• Certification or equivalent working knowledge and experience with implementation and improvement of quality management systems in regulated markets such as CMMI SPICE ISO-9001 ISO 25010. Experience in safety software is a plus.
• Significant experience conducting performance and compliance assessments and program implementation evaluations to ensure regulatory compliance with SQA commitments.
• Experience with the maintenance of an Institutional SQA Program and tracking of safety critical software.
• Experience in digital transformation projects: writing requirements and building out internal workflows and tools to support continuous improvement initiatives.

Additional Information :

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit  Clearance

  This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time