QA Program Lead
Alva Energy · Cambridge · $150,000–$180,000 (stated in the posting)
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