Discipline Quality Lead - Bridgwater

We are seeking an experienced and technically capable Discipline Quality Lead to support the delivery of quality assurance and programme assurance activities within the MEH Alliance on Hinkley Point C.

This role will involve leading a team of Quality Engineers supporting Delivery Assurance activities and/or MEHA Programme Assurance across a major nuclear new-build project within a highly regulated and safety-critical environment. Working closely with Discipline Quality Leads, engineers, project teams, contractors and other stakeholders, the role will focus on ensuring compliance with project requirements, quality management systems, regulatory standards and construction specifications. The successful candidate will support the effective delivery of quality assurance activities, oversee non-conformance management, promote continuous improvement and ensure that quality records and assurance processes meet project requirements.

The role will be site-based, with 100% of working time allocated to site activities. The standard working pattern is five days per week. The role is overtime eligible and includes on-call responsibilities.

Key Deliverables / Accountabilities:

• Lead and coordinate a team of Quality Engineers to deliver project quality requirements in line with programme schedules and delivery demands.
• Support and oversee Delivery Assurance activities and/or MEHA Programme Assurance across relevant project work scopes.
• Collaborate with Discipline Quality Leads, engineers and other stakeholders to develop, implement and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) in line with project requirements.
• Develop, review and provide assurance of quality procedures, work instructions, Construction Work Packs and quality plans to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards and project specifications.
• Support quality audits and inspections, verify compliance with QA/QC requirements, identify non-conformances and ensure appropriate corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
• Oversee the creation, maintenance and control of Lifetime Quality Records to ensure accurate documentation, regulatory compliance and project traceability.
• Identify potential quality risks, undertake risk assessments and support the implementation of mitigation measures to prevent quality issues and maintain safety and reliability.
• Ensure quality assurance activities comply with applicable nuclear regulatory requirements, codes, standards and project licensing conditions.
• Provide training, guidance, coaching and development to Quality Engineers, project personnel, contractors and subcontractors to promote quality awareness and consistent application of project requirements.
• Oversee and undertake non-conformance reporting (NCR), investigation and root cause analysis (RCA), ensuring corrective actions are implemented and lessons learned are captured.
• Monitor the end-to-end NCR process, track and close out non-conformances within project timelines, and ensure appropriate evidence is available to support closure in SWITCH.
• Monitor quality performance indicators (KPIs), prepare assurance and progress reports, and communicate quality status, issues and recommendations to project management.
• Review Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) and support the development of Inspection and Test Records (ITRs) and Verification Forms (VFs) to ensure appropriate verification of supporting documentation and construction controls.
• Champion Foreign Material Exclusion (FME) and the prevention and management of Counterfeit, Fraudulent and Suspect Items (CFSI).
• Provide subject matter expertise and review of assurance processes, quality controls, Lifetime Quality Records and relevant project documentation.
• Support the management of Corrective Action Reports (CARs), capture lessons from experience (LFE) and drive continuous improvement across delivery and programme assurance arrangements.

Key Requirements / Qualifications:

• Qualification in a relevant discipline, such as ONC, HNC or HND, or an appropriate recognised apprenticeship.
• Relevant professional or technical qualifications, which may include CSWIP, NACE, ICCOR, PCN, City & Guilds 2391 or 2391-52, and BS 7671 (17th or 18th Edition), as applicable to the relevant discipline. The role profile also recognises qualifications that have been held for five years, including lapsed qualifications.
• Experience in a relevant quality, engineering or technical discipline, with the ability to provide assurance against project requirements and applicable standards.
• Experience of major projects; nuclear experience would be beneficial.
• Experience working within an alliance agreement project would be advantageous.
• Understanding of quality management systems, quality assurance and quality control processes, audits, inspections and construction documentation.
• Experience of non-conformance management, root cause analysis, corrective actions and lessons learned.
• Ability to review quality documentation, Inspection and Test Plans, Lifetime Quality Records and supporting construction verification evidence.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to coordinate, guide and develop Quality Engineers and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver quality assurance activities in line with project schedules and deadlines.
• Competency-based interview.

Due to the nature of the projects and secure nuclear environment:

• Applicants must meet the applicable security clearance requirements, with BPSS required unless otherwise advised.
• Applicants must be eligible to obtain the security clearance required for the role.
• Appointment is subject to satisfactory security clearance and background checks.