Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Manager

Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Company: Columbia Energy & Environmental Services
Salary: $80-104K annually

About Columbia Energy

Columbia Energy & Environmental Services, headquartered in Richland, WA, is a well-established small business with a proven track record of delivering comprehensive solutions in engineering, design, fabrication, instrumentation and controls, and other specialized services. With expertise in fixed-price design/build/test projects, we serve both federal and commercial clients, consistently delivering high-quality results through innovation and technical precision.

Our collaborative and experienced team is committed to providing practical, client-focused solutions tailored to address a wide range of challenges. With a growing presence in Idaho Falls, ID, we continue expanding our capabilities while maintaining our reputation for quality, safety, and integrity.

Why Join Columbia Energy?

This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned quality leader to shape and strengthen the Quality Assurance and Quality Control functions across a diverse portfolio of custom engineering and fabrication projects. You will oversee QA/QC personnel, drive technical excellence, support regulatory compliance, and build processes that ensure consistent, high-quality deliverables.

We value professionals who are proactive, detail-oriented, collaborative, and able to navigate complex requirements while maintaining strong working relationships across all levels of the organization.

Position Overview

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading, developing, and overseeing all quality assurance activities across the business. This includes managing QA/QC personnel, ensuring compliance with client, regulatory, and company requirements, and maintaining effective quality systems that support successful project execution.

This role requires exceptional communication, strong technical judgment, and the ability to manage both strategic and day-to-day quality operations in a fast-paced engineering and fabrication environment. You'll collaborate closely with production, engineering, project management, and client teams to maintain quality standards and resolve technical challenges.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Leadership & Oversight

• Lead and manage quality assurance personnel, providing direction, mentorship, and performance oversight
• Ensure compliance with client, regulatory, and internal quality requirements
• Guide administrative aspects of the quality program, including planning, budgeting, staffing, and forecasting
• Shape and influence company quality policies, standards, and continuous improvement initiatives

Quality Systems & Process Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain inspection, testing, and sampling procedures
• Direct product testing and inspection throughout production cycles
• Oversee the work of inspectors, supervisors, and others engaged in quality activities
• Track, analyze, and report quality results, defect trends, and system performance indicators

Technical Guidance & Collaboration

• Communicate quality requirements and findings to production, engineering, project management, and external stakeholders
• Review inspection and test results and provide clear feedback to internal teams
• Support marketing, sales, and project teams in defining and clarifying customer requirements
• Maintain documentation for testing procedures, methodologies, and quality criteria

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to enhance quality systems, reduce defects, and improve efficiency
• Support and lead corrective/preventive action processes and root cause analyses
• Promote consistent application of quality practices across office, shop, and field environments

Other Duties

• Perform additional quality-related assignments as needed

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in Quality Assurance and/or Quality Control, including leadership responsibilities
• Strong understanding of quality systems, regulatory compliance, and inspection methodologies
• Ability to read, write, and comprehend technical documentation and verbal/written instructions
• Ability to travel as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience managing QA/QC programs within fabrication, welding, or industrial manufacturing environments
• Strong working knowledge of inspection methods, quality systems, and regulatory or customer compliance requirements
• Experience leading root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives
• NQA-1 Lead Auditor certification

Key Success Attributes

• Strong attention to detail and high standards for accuracy
• Effective communicator across all levels of the organization
• Collaborative team player with a professional, positive attitude
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to perform well with varying levels of supervision

Core Competencies

• Consistency and Reliability
• Communication
• Trustworthiness and Ethics
• Meeting Standards

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move between office, shop, and field environments
• Periods of standing, walking, bending, squatting, and lifting up to 50 lbs
• Ability to work at heights, climb ladders, and use platforms or lifts as needed
• Must be able to wear required PPE, including hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, respirators, and work boots
• Ability to work in hot, cold, or damp environments

Working Conditions

This position involves work across office, shop, and field settings, with occasional travel to project sites, vendors, or industrial facilities. The environment is fast-paced and deadline-driven, with a strong emphasis on quality, safety, and collaboration.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Columbia Energy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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