Lead Ceramic Engineer – Production Quality

GE Vernova • Wilmington, NC

5d • $91,700 - $152,700

About The Position

The Global Nuclear Fuels (GNF) Fuel Manufacturing Operation (FMO) Ceramic Engineer – Production Quality supports quality activities for production of ceramic powder and pellets used to fabricate nuclear fuel. The operation converts chemicals into UO2 powder, which is blended, granulated, pressed, and sintered into fuel pellets. The engineer works with production teams and applies Lean methodology to drive continuous improvement.

In this hands-on role, the engineer ensures powder and pellet products and processes meet established standards and customer quality expectations. The position implements product quality activities, qualifies new products and processes, improves manufacturing processes, and develops inspection personnel. It also supports safe, timely fuel delivery and works with internal and external stakeholders, including customer representatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering or Science; Ceramic Engineering or Materials Science is preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience working in a manufacturing operation, including at least 1 year in Quality.
• Ability to use computers and computer equipment frequently.
• Ability to use quality gages, including a micrometer, caliper, and dial indicator.
• Ability and willingness to maintain after-hours cell phone availability.
• Must pass radiological safety and related training exams and be able to work in a radiation-controlled area.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• For applicable candidates, final offers are contingent on obtaining U.S. Government authorization to access U.S. export-controlled information.

Nice To Haves

• Technical master’s degree.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and intuitive understanding of mechanical processes.
• Manufacturing and/or quality engineering experience in ceramic manufacturing, preferably dry pressing operations.
• Understanding of chemical conversion processes used to make oxide powder.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional team environment and manage multiple projects at once.
• Self-starter with strong initiative and demonstrated teamwork skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly technical writing, and ability to interface effectively at all organizational levels.
• Practical experience with Lean manufacturing principles and tools, including identifying opportunities for and designing process changes.
• Six Sigma or Lean manufacturing certification.
• Proficiency and experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Uphold GNF’s nuclear safety culture, prioritizing integrity, safety, security, and quality.
• Work effectively in a dynamic team and partner with manufacturing operations to ensure consistent application of quality techniques and standards; support safe, timely delivery of quality fuel.
• Develop and qualify new fuel-manufacturing processes in support of continuous improvement goals.
• Qualify inspection personnel.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues and provide or support implementation of solutions.
• Recommend and implement quality-system enhancements, continually improve quality work processes, and modernize quality techniques and process monitoring.
• Resolve non-conformance issues and manufacturing challenges, including developing and implementing actions to prevent recurrence.
• Perform and analyze manufacturing process stability and capability studies.
• Support New Product Introduction initiatives, including quality process development and design of experiments.
• Identify and implement incremental and step-change quality improvements using statistical techniques, Lean, and Six Sigma tools.
• Maintain, review, update, and create quality documents for production activities, and maintain current interpretations of applicable quality-system requirements.
• Ensure documented practices accurately reflect quality-management-system standards.
• Interface with internal and external stakeholders and customer representatives.
• Train team members in sound techniques and proper operation of quality instruments such as gages.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Prescription drug coverage
• Access to a 24/7 nurse-based Health Coach resource
• Employee Assistance Program with confidential assessment, counseling, and referral services
• GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan with a 401(k) savings opportunity
• Company matching and retirement contributions
• Access to Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants
• Tuition assistance
• Adoption assistance
• Paid parental leave
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• Permissive time off
• Relocation assistance
• Discretionary annual bonus eligibility

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior