Superblock Quality Assurance Inspector

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$120,510 - $178,464 Annually

$120,510 - $147,564 Annually for the 302.1 level
$145,740 - $178,464 Annually for the 302.2 level

This is the lowest to highest salary in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. Pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We have an opening for a Superblock Quality Assurance Inspector. You will contribute to the execution of quality assurance plans and procedures to provide assurance that Strategic Deterrence activities are performed in compliance with Directorate and LLNL/LLNS policies, federal, state, and local laws and regulations associated with quality assurance programs. Your work will primarily have you solving highly complex technical problems and implementing a wide range of quality assurance functions, such as procurement assistance, field and receipt inspections, technical document review, quality assurance and work control program implementation, and audit and assessment performance. In this role, you will work closely with facility and programmatic customers as well as other Laboratory support organizations.

This position will support Strategic Deterrence nuclear and non-nuclear facilities and is based in Livermore, California. Interactions will include facility management, program management, Strategic Deterrence management, and external regulators such as U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board representatives. This position is in the Superblock Quality Assurance group within the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

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.

In this role you will

• Provide advanced technical and administrative oversight to ensure implementation of LLNL quality assurance program requirements by analyzing and interpreting highly complex data to provide inspection services to SD facility and programmatic organizations.
• Perform technical inspections and field walkdowns in support of facility and programmatic activities at SD facilities in accordance with quality assurance standards and requirements.
• Coordinate the completion of competing complex tasks.
• Implement the nonconformance process.
• Provide technical advice and direction to technicians, making frequent decisions using independent discretion and judgment.
• Provide advanced technical support to vendor inspections and reviews.
• Present results, both verbally and in writing, of technical reviews and inspections to various Laboratory subject matter experts and managers.
• Travel to off-site locations, as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the 302.2 level

• Collaborate with program personnel to perform independent assessment and audit activities in a variety of conditions and environments, such as nuclear facility radioactive materials area, Site 300, High Explosive Applications Facility (HEAF), RHWM, and other SD facilities.
• Perform highly advanced technical reviews and present the results to management, both internal and external to the Laboratory.
• Monitor and manage the nonconformance process.
• Provide technical advice and direction to technicians, making frequent decisions using a high degree of independent discretion and judgment.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U. S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical engineering, or a related scientific field, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience in quality assurance program implementation, technical reviews, product receipt inspections, engineering reviews, and hoisting and rigging inspections that require the ability to lift up to 40 lbs. in a safe and controlled manner.
• Significant experience applying a broad understanding of scientific and technical disciplines, including safety, engineering, operations, and maintenance.
• Advanced technical and organizational problem-solving skills.
• Significant experience working with critical measuring and test equipment, including control of these instruments.
• Significant experience reading and interpreting mechanical, electrical, and structural design drawings and specifications as well as knowledge of the ANSI Y-14.5 standard.
• Advanced communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills to effectively write documents such as plans, procedures, and reports, and to present, explain, and advise senior management.

Additional qualifications at the 302.2 level

• Extensive experience in quality assurance program development, commercial grade item dedication testing and evaluation, software quality assurance, and assessments and audits.
• Extensive experience providing technical evaluations and recommendations in a wide range of engineering and technical disciplines.
• Highly advanced communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills at a highly advanced technical level to effectively write documents such as plans, procedures, specifications, and reports, and to present, explain and advise senior management, including external agencies such as Livermore Field Office, DOE HQ, and other state and government agencies regarding quality assurance activities.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience designing and working in a fabrication environment.
• Experience providing independent oversight of organizations, operations, or facilities, and assuring quality assurance programs are implemented appropriately and in compliance (including nuclear facility experience).
• Registered as an AWS Certified Weld Inspector or Certified Electrical Inspector.

​​​​​​​Special Requirements

• Pre-placement medical exam may be required.
• Ability to lift-up to 40 pounds, climb ladders and scaffolding, and perform inspections at elevated heights or under fixed structures in a safe and controlled manner.

#LI-Onsite

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 https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security 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. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.