LEAD AUDITOR JOB DESCRIPTION

A Lead Auditor plans, executes, and owns the findings. Without that ownership, supplier evaluations stall, corrective actions go unresolved, and the quality programs that govern fabrication and construction sites lose their teeth. This role holds final accountability for audit outcomes across internal programs and external supplier assessments, operating within frameworks such as ISO 9001, NQA-1, and IATF 16949. It demands equal command of technical standards and the organizational authority to move corrective action to closure.

You will own the full audit cycle from planning through verified closure, serving as the Lead Auditor who keeps manufacturing and industrial quality programs measurably compliant and continuously improving. The position spans internal site audits, supplier qualification surveys, and cross-functional quality assessments, with findings reported directly to quality or audit supervision and distributed to operational management.

Career Impact: Achieving and maintaining Lead Auditor qualification under NQA-1 or IATF 16949 is a credential that carries weight across nuclear, semiconductor, and heavy fabrication sectors, opening doors that general audit experience does not.

Business Impact: When a supplier evaluation uncovers a non-conformity before it reaches a fabrication line or construction site, this role's judgment is what prevented a costly shutdown or regulatory finding.

Growth Opportunity: Repeated exposure to multi-standard audits - spanning ISO 9001, ASME codes, and automotive core tools - expands the technical depth needed to move into Quality Manager or Principal Auditor roles.

• Plan and execute internal audits, supplier evaluations, and site quality assessments against applicable standards and schedules.
• Lead audit teams through opening meetings, field reviews, and closing sessions to ensure consistent, professional delivery.
• Identify non-conformities, strengths, and improvement opportunities, then document findings in formal audit reports.
• Drive corrective action closure by tracking, following up, and verifying that implemented solutions meet the original requirement.
• Review procurement documents, design records, and quality program manuals for compliance with established requirements.
• Conduct independent QA assessments and management surveillances to maintain consistency across facility and project activities.
• Mentor and guide assigned audit staff through planning, on-the-job training, and performance feedback.
• Maintain audit files, qualification records, and required certifications in accordance with specified program requirements.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, or a related technical field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of quality auditing experience, with demonstrated responsibility for leading internal or supplier audits to closure.
• Lead Auditor certification from an accredited registrar or recognized body in an applicable standard such as ISO 9001 or NQA-1.
• Working knowledge of quality management standards including ISO 9001, ASME NQA-1, and applicable codes governing fabrication or construction.
• Ability to read and evaluate procurement documents, engineering drawings, and quality program procedures for compliance gaps.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills sufficient to present audit findings to management and respond to technical review.
• Proven organizational skills to manage multiple audit assignments concurrently against schedule and budget requirements.

• Familiarity with IATF 16949, VDA 6.3, or automotive core tools such as FMEA, APQP, and PPAP in a manufacturing context.
• Experience in nuclear or heavy industrial environments operating under ASME BP&V codes, CSA N299, or DOE quality orders.
• Professional accreditation through CQI, ASQ, or IRCA, or eligibility to qualify as a BEA Quality Engineer within six months.
• Prior exposure to semiconductor manufacturing processes or nondestructive and destructive examination techniques.

• Corrective action closure rate, measuring the percentage of findings resolved within the agreed timeframe.
• Audit schedule adherence, tracking the proportion of planned audits completed on time and within budgeted hours.
• Findings-to-recurrence ratio, reflecting how often closed non-conformities reappear in follow-up audits.
• Supplier qualification throughput, counting approved supplier evaluations completed per quarter against the program target.
• Report issuance cycle time, measuring days between audit close-out and formal report distribution to management.
• Typical tools: quality management and audit documentation systems (commonly electronic document management systems and supplier evaluation platforms); audit scheduling and corrective action tracking software.

• Base Salary Range: $80,000 to $115,000 annually, depending on seniority and industry segment.
• Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus, typically 5% to 10% of base salary.
• Equity: Generally not offered; uncommon in manufacturing and industrial QA roles.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution standard.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard federal holidays.
• Common Perks: Travel reimbursement, professional development and certification support, and tuition assistance where applicable.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process may request one at any time. A background check, which may include verification of employment history and criminal record, is a condition of employment. All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Lead Auditor owns coordination and execution of complex audit reviews within the Audit team, working alongside department staff and the audit manager to assess operational controls, ensure compliance with GAAP and Government Auditing Standards, and drive corrective action across risk management activities. The Lead Auditor delivers findings to management, mentors subordinate auditors, and enables the organization to maintain defensible, standards-aligned audit programs including Medicare Cost Report reviews.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and complete audit reviews, reviewing work papers and reports completed by department staff.
• Distribute reports to management and coordinate auditor assignments.
• Mentor and coach department staff and assist the department manager with workflow direction.
• Independently plan and execute audits in accordance with professional auditing standards.
• Perform audits focused on operational controls, asset safeguarding, and compliance with procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Function as in-charge auditor of the most complex audit reviews and/or cost reports.
• Identify and analyze key processes, systems, and controls to determine effectiveness.
• Communicate audit status and results to management, emphasizing deficiencies and recommending corrective actions.
• Prepare formal written work papers and reports documenting audit work and conclusions.
• Assess desk reviews performed by subordinate auditors to ensure quality and provide on-the-job training.
• Direct day-to-day efforts of assigned audit staff through planning, training, and providing leadership and guidance.
• Broaden and maintain working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and procedures through self-study and formal training.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; 12 semester hours of Accounting and/or Finance required.
• CIA, CPA, or CISA certification preferred.
• Seven years of auditing or accounting experience, including one year leading audits; two years of prior Medicare or related experience preferred.
• Medicare Cost Report experience preferred.
• Knowledge of auditing principles, cost accounting standards, GAAP, GAAS, and Government Auditing Standards.
• Knowledge of statistical sampling techniques.
• Microsoft Office proficiency required.
• Strong interpersonal, planning, and organizational skills with the ability to work professionally at all levels.
• Ability to communicate clearly in oral and written form and handle sensitive matters confidentially.

Reporting to the INL Quality Assurance organization, the Lead Auditor delivers compliance verification across internal and external supplier audits, supporting DOE quality requirements and maintaining the integrity of NQA-1 and ISO 9001/17025 programs. Working closely with management and staff at multiple levels, the Lead Auditor ensures supplier evaluations, QA assessments, and audit files meet laboratory, corporate, and federal standards while qualifying as an ASME NQA-1 QA Lead Auditor within six months.

Core Functions

• Support the supplier evaluation process and other assignments in the INL Quality Assurance organization.
• Conduct supplier evaluations professionally as a representative of INL.
• Enable work by assuring quality requirements are identified, understood, planned, and implemented.
• Establish priorities and collaborate with different levels of management and staff.
• Assure compliance with laboratory, corporate, and DOE quality requirements while implementing the INL graded approach.
• Participate in supplier performance maintenance metrics.
• Review documents, requisitions, design documents, codes, standards, and procurement documents for QA compliance.
• Perform and lead internal and external quality assurance audits to determine implementation compliance.
• Plan, conduct, report, follow up, and maintain supplier evaluations and conduct annual supplier reviews.
• Maintain audit files in accordance with specified requirements and participate in professional development activities.
• Conduct independent QA assessments, management assessments, and surveillances to ensure consistency across facility and project activities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree plus 5 years relevant experience, or Advanced degree plus 3 years, or 13 years relevant experience in lieu of degree.
• Bachelor's degree plus 8 years relevant experience, or Advanced degree plus 6 years, or 16 years relevant experience in lieu of degree.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE "L" clearance.
• Extensive auditing experience required; experience in NQA-1 programs, manufacturing, steel fabrication, welding, QC inspection, and nondestructive and destructive examination preferred.
• Knowledge of ASME NQA-1 (including subparts 2.7 and 2.14), ISO 9001/17025, DOE QA Orders, and related codes and standards; familiarity with NIAC preferred.
• Must qualify as an ASME NQA-1 QA Lead Auditor and BEA Quality Engineer within 6 months.
• Core proficiencies include communication, problem solving, adaptability, judgment, collaboration, leadership, and decision making.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills required; travel ranging from 10–30% of work hours required.

Partnering with production, service, and development teams, the Lead Auditor shapes the internal audit program for a semiconductor manufacturing environment, maintaining the audit schedule, leading system and process audits against ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016, and facilitating closing meetings with management to drive corrective action and process improvement. The Lead Auditor represents the audit team with customers and certification bodies, ensuring quality requirements are met and non-conformities are resolved in line with automotive core tool standards.

Primary Duties

• Assist with development and maintenance of Internal Audit Schedule covering system, process, and product audits.
• Gather information from production, service, development, and supporting activities to identify risk areas.
• Analyze department quality systems and previous audit information from multiple sources.
• Assist with audit team selection and audit plan preparation for internal audits.
• Represent the audit team with management, customers, and certification bodies.
• Perform internal quality audits and identify non-conformities, strengths, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead or support special audits as required by management; facilitate closing meetings to review and interpret results with management.
• Follow up to ensure corrective actions are implemented and coordinate audit schedule and dry runs when needed.
• Analyze findings and summarize them for presentation or report to enable process improvement.
• Serve as the auditee for the Manage Quality Audit process.

Skills & Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Engineering, or Quality-related field.
• 3 years of experience in auditing or quality control in the semiconductor industry.
• Prior experience in internal, customer, and certification audits; understanding of customer-specific requirements and semiconductor manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949:2016, VDA 6.3 (2016), Automotive SPICE, Automotive Core Tools (FMEA, SPC, MSA, APQP, PPAP), and ISO 9001 and IATF certification rules.
• Technical understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes and product requirements.
• Excellent organizational, management, interpersonal, and teamwork skills with strong multi-tasking and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally, work under tight timeframes, prioritize competing activities, and complete assignments with minimal supervision.

Sitting at the intersection of audit delivery and business development, the Lead Auditor builds client compliance outcomes across diverse industries by conducting third-party ISO 27001, 9001, 14001, and 45001 audits and training in line with DNV guidelines, serving as a subject matter expert in the ICT sector. Operating across onsite audit engagements, customer management, and sales support activities, the Lead Auditor ensures timely, accurate compliance reporting while maintaining audit credentials and representing DNV professionally to assigned clients.

Duties

• Perform third-party onsite ISO audits and training in line with DNV guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Support sales activities in the ICT sector in Australia as a subject matter expert.
• Interact directly with customers at all management levels to develop timely, complete, and accurate compliance reports.
• Document and report audit activities and results, resolving Technical Review issues to optimize lead time to customers.
• Provide timely and accurate reviews of customer corrective actions and closures.
• Maintain and advance appropriate audit credentials as needed.
• Generate leads and opportunities across services and support the sales team as required.
• Support operations planning and scheduling through timely communication on service delivery dates.
• Prioritize key customers, manage assigned projects, and represent DNV professionally.
• Ensure customer rapport and resolve any customer complaints.

Experience & Qualifications

• Lead Auditor qualification in ISO 27001; qualifications in ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 preferred.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology or relevant field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in the ICT industry.
• Accredited Lead Auditor course completion in ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 required; additional LA courses in ISO 20000 and ISO 22301 an advantage.
• Knowledge of ICT-related standards (ISO 9001, 27001, 20000, 22301) and legal requirements related to the ICT sector.
• Strong work experience in quality, security, service management, and business continuity in the ICT sector.
• Proven project and team leadership with the ability to lead multiple parallel projects with conflicting demands.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills; strong written and verbal English communication required.
• Willingness to travel and work across Australia and other locations.

A key member of the Quality Assurance function, the Lead Auditor executes internal and supplier audits across Aecon Industrial's main office and construction project sites, preparing audit plans, checklists, and reports against applicable quality program manuals and NQA-1 standards. Collaborating across fabrication and construction SBUs, the Lead Auditor supervises assigned audit personnel, drives corrective action closure through the EDMS, and supports QA/QC activities that keep the Approved Supplier List current and compliant.

Accountabilities

• Plan and execute internal audits, supplier audits, and Aecon Nuclear Site audits, preparing Audit Plans, Schedules, Checklists, and Reports as directed.
• Submit completed Audit Checklists, Reports, and findings to the Auditing Supervisor for review and approval.
• Expedite closure of all corrective actions initiated and notify the Corrective Action Specialist for upload into Aecon's EDMS.
• Perform internal quality program audits including Project Site audits in accordance with applicable quality program manuals and procedures.
• Perform external surveys and audits of suppliers for approval to the Aecon Industrial Central Division Approved Supplier List.
• Prepare and distribute internal and supplier audit plans and reports.
• Generate, track, follow up, and assist with closure of internal and external audit corrective actions.
• Support QA/QC activities for Fabrication and various Construction SBUs.
• Lead, coordinate, and supervise audit duties assigned to qualified audit personnel as required.

Education & Experience

• Secondary school graduate required; College-level education in an engineering discipline preferred.
• Lead Auditor Certification from an accredited training registrar required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience as an Internal Quality Auditor and 1 year as a Lead Quality Auditor in an ISO 9001 environment.
• Minimum 5 years in nuclear and/or non-nuclear fabrication or construction in a quality assurance role.
• Experience with ASME BP&V Nuclear and Non-Nuclear Construction Codes, CSA N285, N286, N299, NQA-1, and quality systems training.
• Computer literate in MS Office.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with good leadership and organizational skills.

Timely, credible audit delivery depends on the Lead Auditor, who conducts initial and surveillance audits per ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 standards, leads audit teams, and manages client relationships to promote SGS services and surface market intelligence for the management team. Based within the certification practice and reporting to the Certification Manager, the Lead Auditor ensures SGS procedures are applied consistently, delivers customized audits and training courses, and upholds SGS standards of ethics and integrity in every client engagement.

Functions

• Conduct audits and training per ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 standards.
• Manage client relationships and promote SGS services.
• Lead audit teams and conduct initial and surveillance audits in a professional manner.
• Ensure SGS procedures are followed for relevant products under area of expertise.
• Provide market information to the management team on new trends and business opportunities.
• Carry out customized audits and any additional tasks as required by the Certification Manager.
• Conduct training courses under area of specialty.
• Apply judgment and act according to SGS standards of ethics and integrity.

Requirements

• Minimum degree in Information Technology or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years of working experience; prior auditing experience and attendance of a relevant Lead Auditor course preferred.
• Good communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work independently with a high level of initiative and resourcefulness.
• Self-motivated, meticulous, and able to work well under pressure and tight deadlines.

As the Lead Auditor, this role advances MEH Alliance Governance Quality Strategy by conducting robust supply chain and internal audits that incorporate system-based auditing and subject matter expert technical review to identify, exploit, and mitigate quality risks across the project. The Quality function relies on this work to produce formal audit assessment reports, manage action plan closure, monitor outputs, and challenge systems and working practices in pursuit of best practice and continual improvement.

Scope of Work

• Support MEH Alliance Governance Quality Strategy.
• Conduct and lead robust assessments of the supply chain or MEHA internal audits, incorporating system-based auditing and subject matter expert technical review.
• Identify and exploit or mitigate quality opportunities and risks on the project.
• Produce formal reports of audit assessments and manage all follow-up and verification activities to close out action plans.
• Produce appropriate management reports, monitor outputs, and address issues to drive improvements.
• Challenge systems, processes, and working practices to ensure best practice and continual improvement.

Position Requirements

• Degree in Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Engineering, Construction, or equivalent functional experience.
• Lead Auditor certificate of training from a recognised body.
• Relevant professional accreditation (CQI, ASQ, or IRCA).
• Ability to achieve security clearance (BPSS or higher).
• Base location flexible to suit project needs.