Quality and Safety Specialist - Thermal Spray

Job Title: Quality and Safety Specialist

Reports to: Quality & Safety Manager, Surface Technologies US

Work Location: Kymera – CASL Houston

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 – CASL Houston is a senior-level role responsible for leading quality and safety execution across machining, coating, and thermal spray operations. This position operates at a level above Quality Control Inspector III, with expanded responsibility for quality systems, safety compliance, process improvement, and cross-functional leadership.

The role ensures compliance with company standards, customer specifications, OSHA regulations, and ISO-based Quality Management Systems. It serves as a key driver of continuous improvement, root cause resolution, and audit readiness, while providing technical leadership and mentorship to inspection and production personnel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Advanced Quality & Safety Leadership
• Lead quality and safety oversight across machining, surface preparation, coating, and thermal spray operations.
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications, internal standards, OSHA regulations, and ISO 9001 requirements.
• Serve as a technical authority on quality and safety matters, supporting production, engineering, and leadership teams.
• Exercise stop-work authority when safety or quality risks are identified.

Inspection Oversight & Process Control
• Oversee and support visual, dimensional, and process inspections of mechanical components and thermal spray coatings.
• Ensure inspection methods, acceptance criteria, and documentation are consistently applied.
• Verify environmental and process conditions impacting coating and thermal spray quality.
• Ensure calibration systems are maintained and aligned with production needs.

Quality Systems & Continuous Improvement
• Lead root cause investigations and drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Trend quality and safety data to identify systemic issues and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance quality, efficiency, and safety performance.
• Verify effectiveness of corrective actions through data analysis and follow-up validation.

Audit & Compliance
• Lead and support internal and external audits, including ISO 9001 and customer audits.
• Ensure audit readiness through proper documentation, traceability, and process adherence.
• Identify non-conformances and ensure timely resolution and documentation.

Documentation & Reporting
• Develop, review, and maintain accurate quality and safety documentation, including inspection reports, non-conformance reports (NCRs), corrective action documentation, and process/environmental records.
• Prepare reports on trends, performance metrics, and improvement initiatives for leadership.

Training & Mentorship
• Provide training, mentorship, and technical guidance to Inspectors I, II, and III, as well as production personnel.
• Support development of inspection techniques, safety practices, and quality awareness across the site.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and leadership to resolve complex quality and safety issues.
• Support supplier and customer-related quality concerns as needed.
• Act as a key point of contact for quality and safety matters within the facility.

Travel:
• Occasional travel up to 10% may be required to support other locations or business needs.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership and functional oversight to quality inspectors and production personnel.
• Support prioritization of inspection, audit, and quality activities.
• Mentor and guide team members in quality standards, inspection methods, and safety practices.
• Reinforce accountability for adherence to company policies, quality standards, and safety requirements.
• Support performance feedback, training development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

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.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma required; associate or bachelor’s degree in machining, engineering, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in quality control, machining, coating, or thermal spray operations.
• Demonstrated progression beyond inspection-level responsibilities (QCI III equivalent or higher).
• Strong knowledge of machining processes, thermal spray coatings, and surface preparation methods.
• Experience working within an ISO 9001 Quality Management System.
• Demonstrated experience leading root cause analysis and corrective action processes.
• Experience supporting or leading audits (internal and external).
• Proven leadership experience mentoring or guiding quality and production personnel.

Certifications (Preferred)
• Internal Auditor (ISO 9001 or AS9100)
• NACE Level I or II (AMPP CP-1 / CP-2) or equivalent
• Quality certifications (CQT, CQI, or similar)

Skills and Competencies:

• Advanced knowledge of machining, coating, and thermal spray processes.
• Strong proficiency with inspection tools and measurement techniques.
• Advanced blueprint and technical drawing interpretation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience leading audits and driving corrective actions.
• Ability to influence and lead quality and safety initiatives.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across all levels of the organization.
• High level of accountability, judgment, and decision-making capability.
• Continuous improvement mindset with focus on efficiency and defect reduction.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and perform inspections for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and perform physical tasks as required.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and steel-toe boots.
• Ability to work in environments with noise, dust, fumes, and varying temperatures.
• Manual dexterity to operate tools, equipment, and inspection instruments safely.

Work Environment

The role is based in a thermal spray, grinding, and machine shop environment. Employees may be exposed to fumes, dust, and airborne particulates generated during thermal spraying, grinding, and machining operations. The work area can be noisy, with exposure to moving equipment and varying temperatures.

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required at all times, including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and other protective equipment as required. Employees are expected to follow all safety procedures and maintain a clean and organized 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.