QA Program Lead

Quality Assurance Program Lead

Title: Quality Assurance Program Lead

Location: Boston (Hybrid) with travel to project or vendor sites as required

Help build the quality program that lets utilities and regulators trust every component behind 10 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity

We are seeking a Quality Assurance Program Lead to drive day-to-day execution of the quality program behind Alva's power uprate programs. As our first dedicated quality hire, you'll work alongside our quality consultant to stand up an integrated quality program that meets NQA-1 and achieves ISO 9001 compliance, then keep the program running day to day across safety-related work on a first-of-a-kind commercial energy project integrating a novel secondary turbine-generator plant.

In this role, you'll be Alva's in-house expert on quality standards, and the person utilities, suppliers, and NRC inspectors rely on for evidence that safety-related work was done right. This is a hands-on role: you'll draft procedures, qualify suppliers, perform audits, drive corrective actions to closure, and assemble the quality records package at turnover.

What Will You Do

Core Responsibilities

Direct our quality consultant and hold suppliers and contractors to Alva's requirements, driving the stand-up plan to schedule across Engineering, Procurement, and Project Management

Develop the QA Program Manual and user-focused procedures aligned with NQA-1, Appendix B, and ISO 9001

Lead the transition from the consultant to Alva through NQA-1 implementation, client acceptance, and knowledge transfer

Keep procedures current and maintain ISO 9001 compliance, including quality objectives and management reviews, as Alva's scope evolves

Serve as Alva's in-house expert on quality standards, training staff and advising teams on building quality into their processes

Conduct or support internal and supplier audits, and maintain the Approved Supplier List

Own the nonconformance, corrective action, commercial-grade dedication, and 10 CFR Part 21 processes from initiation through closure

Serve as the quality point of contact for utility and supplier QA organizations, lead client audits and NRC inspections, and report program health to leadership

Catch quality problems early in design and procurement, before they turn into rework or schedule delays

How to Succeed in This Role

Key Competencies

Taking Ownership: Manage your workload effectively and demonstrate accountability for outcomes, not just task completion.

Stakeholder Management: Engage clearly with internal partners like Engineering, Project Management, and Procurement, and with external partners, including our quality consultant and utility QA organizations. Provide concise, well-timed updates, and hold the line on quality requirements under schedule pressure.

Critical Thinking: Analyze discrepancies and quality issues independently and propose solutions rather than just flagging problems

Building Quality In: Partner with teams so quality is designed into how work gets done, not inspected in afterward. Explain the why behind requirements so people follow them by choice, not just compliance.

Essential Skills

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

5-8 years of quality assurance experience in the nuclear industry

Hands-on experience writing procedures for and maintaining a 10 CFR 50 Appendix B / ASME NQA-1 quality program

Experience leading or participating in internal or supplier audits, with a working knowledge of NQA-1 audit requirements

Experience coordinating work across consultants, contractors, and internal teams against a defined scope and schedule

Experience with commercial-grade dedication and 10 CFR Part 21 evaluations

Demonstrated experience implementing, maintaining, and improving an ISO 9001-compliant quality management system

Preferred Qualifications

Experience building or standing up a quality program at a new or growing organization

Experience on the supplier or EPC side of the nuclear supply chain

Participation in NUPIC joint supplier audits

NQA-1 Lead Auditor qualification (current or previous)

ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) or Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification (e.g., Exemplar Global or CQI/IRCA)

Familiarity with ISO 45001 and experience supporting an integrated quality and occupational health and safety management system

Familiarity with I&C, turbine-generator, or balance-of-plant equipment and power uprate modifications

Experience with electronic QA records and document control systems

Experience supporting first-of-a-kind, demonstration, or complex infrastructure projects

Reporting & Team Structure

Reports to: VP of Operations, with direct access to the CEO on quality matters

Collaborates closely with: Engineering (Safety Analysis and I&C), Project Management, Procurement, Licensing, and utility and supplier QA organizations

Why Join Alva

Opportunity to help deliver a historic first-of-a-kind nuclear uprate project

A hands-on, central role in the quality program behind safety-related work critical to plant performance and operation

Ability to shape Alva's quality program and standards from the ground up as our first dedicated quality hire

Work at the intersection of engineering, supply chain, and nuclear regulation

Join a fast-growing, engineering-led company focused on expanding carbon-free energy generation in the United States

High-impact role with significant visibility and ownership across the organization

Who We Are

Alva Energy is transforming how nuclear power scales. Our standardized power uprate approach helps assisting commercial nuclear reactors generate and deliver 10 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity to the U.S. grid through expert project delivery and systemic approach that brings predictability and speed to an industry that needs both.

We're an equal opportunity employer, committed to hiring and evaluating people on their work, not their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic that has nothing to do with how well they can do the job.

We're also committed to making our hiring process accessible to everyone. If you need accommodation at any point: applying, interviewing, or otherwise, reach out to your recruiter, who can help arrange it.

Salary range: $150,000–$180,000