Production Leader: Startup to Full-Rate CNC & Assembly

BWX Technologies; Oak Ridge (AL); On-site; USD 131,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible schedules

Mentorship & development

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

BWX Technologies, Inc. in Oak Ridge, TN is seeking a Production Manager to lead high‑volume CNC machining, parts cleaning, and assembly in a greenfield startup facility designed to produce 50,000 precision machines per year.

You will own the manufacturing system from startup to full production, build the workforce, set operating rhythms, commission equipment, and partner with Finance, Supply Chain, and Engineering to deliver high quality output with safety first.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field and 12–15 years of leadership in manufacturing.
• Proven ability to launch new facilities or lines from startup through full production.
• Hands‑on CNC machining experience and heavy emphasis on quality and safety.
• Experience with high‑volume assembly, maintenance leadership, and preventive programs.
• Experience implementing ERP/MES systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Epicor, Plex).
• U.S. citizen able to obtain DOE security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning of equipment, tooling readiness, process qualification, and production verification.
• Develop a full ramp plan with milestones, resources, and risk mitigation aligned to launch timelines.
• Establish SOPs, work instructions, control plans, and quality systems before first production.
• Build and manage 2‑shift production with 3‑shift maintenance for maximum uptime.
• Stand up ERP/MES and shop floor data infrastructure for real‑time visibility.
• Own daily, weekly, and monthly output against the 50,000 units/year plan.
• Oversee CNC machining, cleaning, and assembly to balance capacity and flow.
• Lead Lean/Six Sigma improvements and Kaizen events to reduce waste.
• Ensure readiness for ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 or equivalent certifications.
• Build the manufacturing workforce across shifts and implement onboarding and training.

Skills

CNC machining

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Manufacturing leadership

Safety compliance

Budget management

DOE security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Epicor

Plex

Job description

BWX Technologies, Inc. in Oak Ridge, TN is seeking a Production Manager to lead high‑volume CNC machining, parts cleaning, and assembly in a greenfield startup facility designed to produce 50,000 precision machines per year.

You will own the manufacturing system from startup to full production, build the workforce, set operating rhythms, commission equipment, and partner with Finance, Supply Chain, and Engineering to deliver high quality output with safety first.