Quality Assurance Manager

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. All applicants must be professing Christians and willing to support the Christian mission and purpose of Abilene Christian University while employed by the university.

• Quality Assurance Program Oversight
• Quality Control Implementation
• Nuclear Material Control & Accountability
• Document & Records Management
• Export Control Compliance
• Regulatory Interface & Audits
• Continuous Improvement & Training

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Quality Assurance Program Oversight

• Develop implement and maintain the NEXT Lab Quality Assurance Program in accordance with NRC DOE and industry standards.
• Ensure QA processes support safe and compliant research training and experimental activities.
• Monitor adherence to quality requirements across all projects and operations.

Quality Control Implementation

• Establish inspection and testing protocols for research activities experimental systems and facility equipment.
• Verify conformity of processes equipment and outcomes to established specifications and safety requirements.
• Document and track non-conformances implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) to proactively identify potential risks assess their impact and drive corrective actions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate quality assurance strategies into process design and improvement initiatives.

Nuclear Material Control & Accountability

• Maintain accurate inventory and accountability of all nuclear materials in compliance with DOE and NRC requirements.
• Use approved methods for tracking nuclear material usage transfers and storage.
• Conduct periodic audits of nuclear materials control and reconcile discrepancies.

Document & Records Management

• Establish document control procedures for QA/QC records facility licenses and compliance documents.
• Ensure accessibility security and retention of QA/QC documentation per federal requirements.
• Support staff with proper document preparation version control and archiving.

Export Control Compliance

• Oversee compliance with federal export control laws (e.g. ITAR EAR) relevant to NEXT Labs research.
• Provide training and guidance to researchers and staff regarding export control obligations.
• Review research proposals and collaborations for compliance with export restrictions.

Regulatory Interface & Audits

• Act as QA/QC representative during NRC DOE and third-party audits or inspections.
• Ensure timely preparation and availability of QA/QC documentation for regulators.
• Address findings from inspections and coordinate implementation of corrective actions.

Continuous Improvement & Training

• Identify opportunities for improving QA/QC processes and efficiency.
• Develop and deliver QA/QC training programs for NEXT Lab staff.
• Promote a strong culture of quality compliance and accountability across the lab.

Skills

• Proficient with general computer skills including e-mail video conferencing Acrobat and Microsoft Office products (i.e. Word Excel PowerPoint and SharePoint).
• Knowledge of NRC and DOE QA/QC regulations and standards.
• Strong understanding of nuclear materials accounting principles.
• Expertise in document control systems and compliance management.
• Ability to conduct audits root cause analysis and corrective action plans.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Professional

• Bachelors degree in Nuclear Engineering Mechanical Engineering Quality Assurance or related field (Masters preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in nuclear QA/QC or regulated research/industrial environment.
• Preferred experience with NRC/DOE audits inspections and quality management systems.
• Preferred familiarity with export control laws and nuclear material accountability practices.
• Professional certification in Quality Management (ASQ-CQA ISO 9001 Lead Auditor etc.) preferred.

Personal

• Strong attention to detail and analytical problem-solving skills.
• High integrity and commitment to compliance and safety.
• Effective communicator with ability to work across technical and administrative teams.
• Organized proactive and adaptable in a dynamic research environment.
• Committed to fostering NEXT Labs mission and innovation and safety in nuclear research.

NEXT Lab Core Values
The key principle of this job is to support ACUs mission to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. Along with this and the NEXT mission our core values are the fundamental beliefs and guiding principles that shape our culture behavior and decisions.

1. Christ-like Character
   We lead with humility integrity and wisdom. We strive to be honest mentors who reflect Christ in our actions and relationships.
2. Driven to Deliver
   We take initiative work hard and stay curious. Were proactive creative problem-solvers who are always learning and pushing forward to get things done.
3. Better Together
   We believe in the power of collaboration. We communicate openly support one another and bring a spirit of respect fun and teamwork to everything we do.

An ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong desire to integrate into a team that shares our core values and possess the skills listed below. Candidates who align well with our values but may not yet have all of the desired skills may still be considered.

• Able to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Able to stand 1 hour or more.

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race color age sex disability genetic information national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the universitys financial and physical assets. Therefore Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions.