Construction Quality Assurance Manager (CQAM)

AAR, a SOCOTEC Company (formerly AAR Testing and Inspection, Inc.) has an immediate need for a Construction Quality Assurance Manager (CQAM) to lead the implementation, management, and enforcement of the Construction Quality Assurance (QA) Program on complex design-build infrastructure projects, ensuring all construction activities comply with contract requirements, regulatory standards, and approved quality management plans.

Core Responsibilities:

• Quality Program Leadership
  Develops, implements, and manages the Construction QA Program in alignment with the Quality Management Plan (QMP), ensuring all work meets contract specifications and WSDOT requirements.
• Inspection & Testing Oversight
  Oversees and coordinates QA inspection and testing operations, ensuring adequate staffing and coverage for all construction activities, including structural, paving, geotechnical, and utility work.
• Regulatory & Owner Coordination
  Interfaces directly with WSDOT for verification testing, inspections, and Independent Assurance (IA), ensuring alignment between QA results and owner acceptance criteria.
• Authority & Risk Control (Stop Work Authority)
  Holds authority to stop work when quality requirements are not met and leads development of corrective action plans to resolve deficiencies.
• Non-Conformance Management
  Maintains and manages the Non-Conformance Report (NCR) system, including tracking, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and closure in coordination with WSDOT.
• Quality Planning & Execution
  Develops Inspection Test Plans (ITPs), inspection checklists, and manages Quality Check Points (Hold Points) to ensure compliance at critical stages of construction.
• Personnel Qualification & Training
  Ensures all QA inspectors, technicians, and testing personnel are properly certified and trained; delivers ongoing quality training and pre-activity briefings.
• Documentation & Compliance Management
  Oversees all quality documentation including inspection reports, test results, daily logs, material certifications, and progress payment quality verification.
• Field Quality Leadership
  Directly performs and supervises inspections across a wide range of construction activities (concrete, asphalt, structures, utilities, etc.), ensuring workmanship meets specifications.
• Design-Build Integration
  Reviews working drawings, RFIs, and field design changes to ensure constructability and compliance with quality standards.
• Stakeholder Coordination
  Collaborates with contractors, project managers, engineers, and quality teams to resolve issues, maintain production, and ensure compliance with quality requirements.
• Continuous Improvement & Auditing
  Leads audits, quality meetings, and task force discussions to identify trends, improve processes, and prevent recurring non-conformances.

• Technical Background:
  Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field, with 5+ years of experience and strong knowledge of construction materials, methods, and inspection practices.

- In lieu of a degree, 10+ years of experience in construction quality management

• Quality Management Expertise:
  Experience developing and implementing Quality Management Plans (QMPs), including inspection, testing, auditing, and documentation processes.
• Inspection & Testing Knowledge:
  Proficiency in overseeing QA inspections and materials testing across multiple disciplines (earthwork, concrete, asphalt, structures, utilities).
• Regulatory & Standards Compliance:
  Familiarity with agency requirements (e.g., WSDOT), AASHTO/ASTM standards, and contract specifications governing construction quality.
• Certifications:
  Relevant industry certifications (e.g., WAQTC, ACI, AWS CWI, nuclear density, etc.) demonstrating competency in testing and inspection.
• Leadership & Management Skills:
  Ability to lead QA teams, coordinate with contractors and owners, and manage staffing, scheduling, and quality resources.
• Authority & Decision-Making:
  Capability to enforce quality standards, including issuing non-conformance reports and stopping work when requirements are not met.
• Documentation & Reporting:
  Strong experience managing quality documentation such as inspection reports, NCR logs, test results, and certification packages.
• Communication & Coordination:
  Ability to work closely with project managers, design teams, contractors, and owners to resolve issues and maintain compliance.
• Problem-Solving & Continuous Improvement:
  Skill in identifying quality issues, implementing corrective actions, and improving processes to prevent recurring deficiencies.
• Other duties as required by the hiring manager and project needs.

Expected salary range: $110,000 to $140,000 / year, depending on qualifications/experience.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

SOCOTEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.