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

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.