Aerospace engineering Jobs in Wilmington, NC

Next-Generation Fuel Product Introduction and Facility Modernization Project Lead

Responsible for the strategic introduction and operational delivery of next-generation fuel products and associated facility modernization projects. You will drive project readiness, profit & loss accountability, and customer satisfaction through the management of mission-critical project activities and resources. Impacts quality, efficiency, and execution across functional areas, requiring high levels of operational judgment to align shop-floor priorities with the Global Nuclear Fuels (GNF) long-term fabrication roadmap.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the end-to-end oversight and operational delivery of high-impact GNF4 product introductions and modernization projects.
• Provides direct leadership and resource management required to integrate next-generation fuel technology into our existing manufacturing footprint.
• Serves as the execution lead within the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) framework, ensuring that technical fuel design is seamlessly translated into shop-floor reality.
• Leads the planning and delivery of GNF4-related product and equipment projects.
• Manages project resources and timelines to ensure that modernization efforts do not disrupt steady-state production.
• Contributes directly to the Pillar III strategy of applying Operational Excellence to maximize facility throughput.
• Develops and maintains specialized knowledge of GNF4 fuel technology and fabrication requirements.
• Serves as a best-practice resource for the broader team, ensuring that latest technical developments are incorporated into project roadmaps while maintaining strict adherence to nuclear quality standards.
• Maintains an in-depth understanding of how GNF4 projects integrate with other functional areas, including Engineering and Commercial Strategy.
• Uses a working knowledge of the nuclear fuel market and the production volume forecast to ensure project delivery is synchronized with long-term customer demand.
• Employs high-level judgment and technical expertise to solve complex shop-floor constraints.
• Uses data analysis and Theory of Constraints (TOC) methodology to support recommendations for facility upgrades and production windows.
• Takes a proactive perspective on existing solutions to identify and eliminate "wheel-spinning" or process inefficiencies.
• Acts as a technical and execution resource for cross-functional colleagues.
• Leads projects with moderate risks and resource requirements, ensuring that all stakeholders (EHS, Quality, Production) are aligned on priorities.
• Effectively explains difficult or sensitive project information and utilizes strong persuasion skills to build consensus.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college.
• Minimum of 57 years of experience in Project Management, Manufacturing Operations, or Engineering within a high-complexity, regulated industrial environment (e.g., Nuclear, Aerospace, or Energy).
• Demonstrated experience leading New Product Introductions (NPI) or facility modernization projects that required coordination between technical design and physical manufacturing execution.
• Proven proficiency in project management software (e.g., Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Location Requirement: This position is based at our facility in Wilmington, NC, to support daily shop-floor activities and ensure real-time coordination with production leadership.

Desired Characteristics

• Operational Excellence Advocate: Familiarity with the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and a track record of identifying and resolving manufacturing bottlenecks.
• Nuclear Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of nuclear quality standards (NQA-1) and the unique safety culture required for fuel fabrication.
• Strategic Influencer: Strong persuasion and communication skills; able to build consensus among cross-functional teams (Quality, EHS, Production) and lead without direct reporting authority.
• Analytical Problem-Solver: Skilled at using data analysis to justify project priorities and provide clear recommendations for facility windows and resource allocation.