Job Information
Iowa State University Quality Assurance Specialist II - Ames National Laboratory in Ames, Iowa
Position Title:Quality Assurance Specialist II - Ames National Laboratory
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications:Experience with quality management systems and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
Experience participating in or conducting audits, assessments, and root cause analyses.
Experience working within regulated environments (e.g., Ames National Laboratory/ISU, DOE, USDA).
Experience with DOE directives, Codes of Federal Regulation, and/or consensus standards such as ASME NQA-1, ISO 9001, or ISO 14001
Experience evaluating performance metrics, trends, and risks to inform decision-making.
Experience with document control processes and records management.
Experience creating instructional materials and guidance for others to use.
Job Description:
Would you like to work for a National Laboratory that conducts world-renowned research? Would you enjoy working on a beautiful university campus? Can you imagine yourself in a mid-sized location that regularly ranks as one of the U.S. Best Places to Live (https://www.ameslab.gov/careers-and-internships/life-ames) ? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider a career with Ames National Laboratory!
Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy federally contracted National Laboratory located in Ames, Iowa, on the campus of Iowa State University. We are dedicated to translating foundational science through applied research to create technological innovations. We create materials, inspire minds to solve problems, and address some of the most challenging issues facing our world today. We promote and believe in a culture of civility and shared ownership in support of the Laboratory's collective success.
The Ames National Laboratory Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist reports to the Assurance Manager in Laboratory Planning and Performance Management and assists with the development, direction, and maintenance of the Ames Laboratory Quality Assurance program.
Duties include coordinating the program in adherence with Prime Contract requirements, Federal requirements (10 CFR 820 and 830), DOE Order 414.1E, international standards (e.g. ISO 9001: 2015), and Ames National Laboratory policies, plans, and procedures. The QA Specialist coordinates lab-wide projects and processes including the Performance Evaluation Measurement Plan (PEMP), the Annual Laboratory Plan, and independent and self-assessments. QA also manages the issues tracking program, in which deficiencies in processes and programs are identified and corrective actions are developed, tracked, implemented, and verified for effectiveness. Additionally, this position cross-trains with other members of Performance Management to provide seamless professional support to Ames Laboratory and DOE customers.
The QA Specialist is organized and proactive to ensure projects are completed successfully. In addition, the QA Specialist possesses excellent written and oral communication skills as well as the ability to handle high-level communications with necessary tact, professionalism, and sensitivity to confidentiality. The ability to work effectively and professionally with a diverse constituency of faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders within a team environment and work independently as needed for assignments is a requirement for this position. Additionally, the ability to gather, analyze, and assemble data; prepare reports according to required format; multi-task; and meet deadlines are all critical for success in this position.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS809
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
3) List of Professional ReferencesIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
Original Posting Date: April 8, 2026
Posting Close Date:May 1, 2026
Job Requisition Number:R18969
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.