Quality Assurance Department

Quality Assurance team members are not just inspectors; they are quality specialists, problem solvers, and innovators. They ensure that every vessel meets the highest standards of excellence, reliability, and performance.

At NBBB, we are dedicated to ensuring that every vessel we construct meets the highest standards of quality, reliability, and performance. Our comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) programs are central to achieving this objective.

Our QA program extends beyond the inspection process to encompass all aspects of vessel design, repairs, construction, and completion, ensuring adherence to contract requirements. This program guarantees that the latest drawings, specifications, and instructions are effectively communicated to our workforce and seamlessly integrated into the construction process.

The QA process includes a system of sequential and well-documented inspections and tests, designed to identify and resolve any deficiencies before presenting the completed work to our customers for acceptance.

Our QA program is administered by dedicated personnel who possess independent authority and organizational freedom to identify quality issues and implement corrective actions. This ensures that our quality management system functions effectively and proactively.

The QA personnel oversee work not only at NBBB facilities but also at subcontractor and vendor levels, ensuring that all supplied items meet the stringent specifications outlined in the contract.

By maintaining rigorous QA and QC standards, NBBB is committed to delivering vessels that exemplify excellence in quality, reliability, and performance.

Back to Team OV
Joseph Mueller

Joseph Mueller

Quality Assurance Manager

With a deep background in quality assurance, compliance, and technical systems, Joseph brings a wealth of experience that will strengthen our operations and elevate our commitment to excellence.

Certifications & Qualifications:

  • ISO 9001 IQC Certified Lead Auditor
  • AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
  • SSPC NBPI (NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector)   
  • Nondestructive Testing (NDE) Level II

Joseph began his career as a carpenter before transitioning into marine mechanics at Fairhaven Shipyard in 2003. There, he discovered a passion for codes, contracts, and continuous improvement—leading him into QA roles supporting Army BEB and JMEC programs.

He later returned to Fairhaven shipyard with expanded QA experience, completed NDT training at NDE Professionals in Portland, and played a key role in launching the QP-1 program. In 2013, he was promoted to QA Manager, overseeing coatings QC, weld program development, NDT, and QMS management in alignment with NAVSEA standards.

After Fairhaven shipyard’s closure, Joseph served as a Quality Coordinator at local refineries, applying API codes to critical infrastructure. Most recently, at Janicki Industries, he helped advance their weld program and developed cutting-edge laser beam and exotic material weld procedures for ITAR-regulated aerospace and defense projects—including work on the SpaceX Starship.

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