Quality and Safety Specialist - Thermal Spray (VA Based, 75% Travel)

Description

Job Title: Quality and Safety Specialist

Reports to: Quality & Safety Manager, Surface Technologies US

Work Location: Kymera - Thermal Spray Solutions, Chesapeake VA, with up to 75% Travel

FLSA Status: Hourly Non-Exempt

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Kymera International:

Kymera International is a leading global producer of specialty metal powders, pastes, and granules, catering to industries such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and electronics. Our mission is to drive innovation while adhering to the highest standards of sustainability, operational excellence, and ethical business practices. We are committed to continuous improvement and regulatory compliance on a global scale.

Position Summary:

The Quality and Safety Specialist – Shipboard is a senior-level authority responsible for ensuring compliance with NAVSEA requirements (009-032, 009-124), OSHA regulations, and QP1/QP6 standards. The role oversees surface preparation, coating, and thermal spray operations, ensuring work meets contract specifications efficiently without over-processing or delays. This position enforces critical safety practices, including hazard identification, PPE use, confined space entry, lockout/tagout, and exposure controls. It conducts job hazard and risk analyses, mitigates risks, and ensures a safe work environment. Serving as the technical lead for inspections, the specialist performs QP1/QP6 inspections and audits, verifies environmental and coating compliance, and ensures accurate documentation such as OQE packages, NCRs, and CFRs. The role also supports incident investigations, drives continuous improvement, and mentors personnel while maintaining a strong deck plate presence and professional engagement with customers and government representatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

•Ensure full compliance with NAVSEA 009-032 and 009-124 requirements, OSHA shipyard regulations, and AMPP QP1/QP6 standards across all shipboard operations.

•Oversee and verify surface preparation, coating, and thermal spray activities to ensure adherence to contract specifications without over-processing, rework, or schedule delays.

•Enforce safety requirements including hazard identification, proper PPE usage, confined space entry, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and ventilation/exposure controls; exercise stop-work authority when unsafe conditions exist.

•Conduct job hazard analyses (JHAs) and risk assessments; implement and verify corrective actions to mitigate safety and quality risks.

•Serve as the technical lead for inspection activities, performing and overseeing detailed inspections using calibrated instruments.

•Demonstrate proficiency in the use, verification, and interpretation of inspection equipment including dew point meters, psychrometers, surface profile gauges (replica tape and digital), DFT gauges, holiday detectors (low/high voltage), adhesion testers, micrometers, calipers, and surface cleanliness test kits.

•Verify environmental conditions and coating compliance through continuous monitoring and documentation of temperature, humidity, dew point, and surface conditions.

•Ensure all inspection and test equipment is properly calibrated, maintained, stored, and traceable in accordance with Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.

•Conduct internal audits in accordance with AMPP QP1 and QP6 standards; prepare for and support external audits.

•Identify non-conformities, generate Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) and Condition Found Reports (CFRs), perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions.

•Develop, review, and maintain comprehensive Objective Quality Evidence (OQE) packages, ensuring traceability and inclusion of all required inspection data, test results, certifications, and environmental records.

•Generate and maintain accurate, timely documentation including inspection reports, environmental logs, coating inspection logs, rework logs, calibration verification records, and daily QC reports.

•Support incident investigations related to safety or quality events and track trends to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

•Provide mentorship, training, and technical guidance to inspectors and production personnel to ensure consistent adherence to quality and safety standards.

•Maintain a strong deck plate presence to monitor work execution, reinforce compliance, and ensure efficient operations in high-volume shipboard environments.

•Act as the primary liaison with government representatives, customers, and third-party auditors, ensuring professional communication and compliant project execution.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

•Provide direct oversight, guidance, and technical direction to Operators, trainees, and production personnel involved in shipboard coating and surface preparation activities.

•Plan, assign, and prioritize inspection and audit activities to ensure efficient workflow and compliance with project schedules and contract requirements.

•Mentor, train, and evaluate inspectors and operators on quality standards, safety procedures, inspection techniques, and proper use of equipment.

•Enforce accountability for adherence to NAVSEA requirements, OSHA regulations, and QP1/QP6 standards, including exercising stop-work authority when necessary.

•Review and approve inspection reports, audit findings, and quality documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with QMS requirements.

•Coordinate with project management, production teams, and safety personnel to align quality and safety objectives with operational execution.

•Lead by example in maintaining a strong deck plate presence, reinforcing a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

•Support performance management activities, including providing feedback, identifying training needs, and contributing to personnel evaluations.

•Facilitate communication between team members, leadership, and external stakeholders, including government representatives and customers.

Benefits Summary:

At Kymera International, we provide a competitive benefits package to support your health, well-being, and financial security, including:

Generous Time Off: 11 annual company-paid holidays and PTO.

Healthcare Savings: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and comprehensive dental and vision coverage.

Retirement Support: 401(k) plan with a competitive company match.

Insurance Coverage: Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance, with additional voluntary options like critical illness, hospital care, and long-term disability coverage.

Competitive pay.

Team Benefits: A supportive team culture and resources to help you thrive.

We are dedicated to helping you live your best life, both professionally and personally. Benefits are reviewed annually.

Pay Range: $30.00 - $35.00 Per Hour. Starting pay is determined based on relevant experience, education, technical qualifications, certifications, skills, and other job-related factors. Placement within the range reflects the candidate's overall qualifications, with the top of the range generally reserved for individuals whose experience and credentials substantially exceed the position's minimum requirements.

Requirements

Qualifications:

•High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree in a technical field preferred.

•Minimum 7+ years of coating inspection experience, or directly related experience supporting thermal spray operations (TSN).

•Demonstrated mastery of NAVSEA 009-032 and 009-124 requirements.

•Extensive knowledge of OSHA shipyard regulations and AMPP QP1/QP6 standards, including hands-on auditing experience.

•Required certification(s):

• NBPI (National Board of Painting Inspectors) or
• NACE Level II Coating Inspector (AMPP CP-2)

•Shipyard Competent Person Certification required.

•Advanced knowledge of surface preparation, coating systems, and thermal spray processes.

•Proven proficiency in the use, calibration verification, and interpretation of inspection instruments (DFT gauges, dew point meters, surface profile gauges, holiday detectors, etc.).

•Demonstrated experience developing and completing detailed Objective Quality Evidence (OQE) packages with full traceability.

•Strong working knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS), documentation control, and compliance requirements.

•Proven ability to lead audits, enforce compliance, and drive corrective actions in accordance with QP1/QP6 standards.

•Ability to interpret complex technical specifications and translate requirements into effective inspection and production oversight.

•Demonstrated leadership skills with experience mentoring, training, and supervising inspectors and production personnel.

•Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet demanding shipyard schedules and deadlines.

•Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to professionally interact with government representatives, customers, and internal stakeholders.

•Demonstrated problem-solving capabilities including root cause analysis, conflict resolution, and implementation of corrective actions.

•Proven ability to maintain inspection efficiency while avoiding over-processing or unnecessary delays.

•High level of integrity and sound judgment, including the ability to exercise ethical decision-making and stop-work authority when required.

•Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant reporting or inspection software systems.

•Ability to work in physically demanding shipboard environments, including confined spaces, heights, and varying weather conditions.

Skills and Competencies:

•Technical Expertise: Advanced knowledge of shipboard surface preparation, coating systems, and thermal spray processes, including NAVSEA 009-032 and 009-124 requirements.

•Inspection & Instrumentation: Expert use and interpretation of inspection tools (DFT gauges, dew point meters, profile gauges, holiday detectors) with strong understanding of calibration and traceability.

•Regulatory Compliance: In-depth understanding of OSHA shipyard regulations and AMPP QP1/QP6 standards, with the ability to enforce compliance in dynamic environments.

•Audit & Quality Assurance: Strong capability in planning, conducting, and leading internal/external audits; identifying non-conformities and driving corrective actions.

•Safety Leadership: Proven ability to identify hazards, enforce safety controls, conduct job hazard analyses, and exercise stop-work authority when required.

•Documentation & Reporting: High level of accuracy in developing and reviewing OQE packages, inspection reports, NCRs, CFRs, and supporting documentation.

•Technical Interpretation: Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex technical specifications, standards, and contract requirements.

•Leadership & Mentorship: Strong supervisory skills with the ability to train, mentor, and develop inspectors and production personnel.

•Communication Skills: Clear and professional verbal and written communication, with experience interfacing with government representatives, customers, and cross-functional teams.

•Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis: Effective at identifying issues, analyzing root causes, and implementing sustainable corrective actions.

•Time Management & Execution: Ability to prioritize tasks and execute efficiently under tight shipyard schedules without compromising quality or safety.

•Conflict Resolution: Skilled in addressing and resolving conflicts while maintaining professionalism and project alignment.

•Continuous Improvement Mindset: Focused on improving processes, reducing rework, and enhancing overall quality and safety performance.

•Ethical Judgment & Accountability: Demonstrates integrity, sound decision-making, and accountability in enforcing standards and requirements.

•Adaptability: Ability to perform effectively in high-tempo, physically demanding shipboard environments with changing priorities.

Physical Requirements

•Ability to board vessels and work in confined spaces, including tanks, voids, and enclosed shipboard areas in accordance with safety protocols.

•Ability to climb ladders, scaffolding, staging, and work at varying heights.

•Work in active shipyard and industrial environments while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators, protective clothing, eye/face protection, hearing protection, and fall protection as required.

•Ability to stand, walk, and perform detailed inspections for extended periods of time throughout the workday.

•Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50 pounds as needed to support inspection and operational activities.

•Exposure to varying environmental conditions, including heat, cold, humidity, noise, dust, fumes, coatings, and other shipyard-related hazards.

•Ability to safely navigate uneven surfaces, tight work areas, and active production zones while maintaining situational awareness and adherence to safety requirements.

Work Environment

This position is based in an active shipyard environment and requires travel up to 75% of the time to support customer sites, vessel locations, and project activities. Work may be performed aboard vessels, in dry docks, fabrication shops, warehouses, and outdoor work areas. Employees may be exposed to varying weather conditions, elevated noise levels, welding and cutting operations, dust, fumes, paint and coating materials, moving equipment, heavy machinery, and active vessel operations.

The position requires the ability to climb ladders, work at heights, enter confined spaces, navigate uneven walking surfaces, and perform work in physically demanding industrial environments. Flexibility to travel and work at multiple domestic or customer locations, including extended periods away from the home office, is essential.

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required at all times and may include hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toe boots, gloves, high-visibility clothing, respiratory protection, fall protection, and other task-specific PPE as required. Employees are expected to comply with all shipyard safety policies, OSHA regulations, and customer requirements, maintain good housekeeping practices, and actively contribute to a safe, organized, and efficient work environment.

EEO Statement

Kymera International is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.