Program Manager - Nuclear
Company Bio
Southwestern Manufacturing Inc. operates in a competitive global market producing wide ranging metal-based assemblies and components across a variety of industry sectors including but not limited to Mining, Oil & Gas, Crane and Drag-line Components, Agricultural, Machine Building, Heavy Equipment Manufacturing, and Nuclear Fabrication.
Role Overview
The Program Manager - Nuclear is responsible for the successful execution of nuclear fabrication programs within a CSA N299.3-certified environment. This role is accountable for delivering projects on time, within scope, within budget, and in full compliance with nuclear quality, traceability, and regulatory requirements.
The Program Manager acts as the primary liaison between Engineering, Quality Assurance, Welding Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and the Customer to ensure all fabrication, welding, inspection, documentation, and delivery objectives are achieved.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead assigned nuclear fabrication and welding programs from contract award through final turnover and close-out.
- Coordinate internal resources for the flawless execution of projects.
- Ensure all projects are delivered on time, within scope, within budget, and in compliance with applicable nuclear standards and customer specifications.
- Develop project scopes, objectives, schedules, and execution plans while ensuring technical feasibility.
- Ensure resource availability and allocation to support project requirements.
- Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, including fabrication, welding, inspection, NDE, heat treatment, and delivery milestones.
- Measure project performance using appropriate systems, tools, and techniques.
- Report progress and escalate issues to senior management as required.
- Manage customer relationships and serve as the primary point of contact throughout project execution.
- Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation, reports, records, and schedules.
Nuclear Program Oversight
- Oversee welding and fabrication activities to ensure compliance with approved WPSs, WPQRs, fabrication drawings, weld maps, traveler packages, inspection plans, and customer specifications.
- Monitor weld quality performance, repair rates, first-pass yield, and corrective actions.
- Ensure all hold points, inspection stages, and quality requirements are properly executed and documented.
- Coordinate engineering changes, customer deviations, concessions, and non-conformance report (NCR) dispositions.
Quality, Traceability & Compliance
- Ensure full material and weld traceability from material receipt through final inspection and turnover.
- Verify implementation of special process controls, including welding, NDE, heat treatment, cleaning, and material handling requirements.
- Ensure all quality records, travelers, inspection reports, and documentation comply with CSA N299.3 and customer requirements.
- Support audits, customer surveillances, certification reviews, and regulatory inspections.
- Work closely with Quality Assurance and Production teams to ensure strict adherence to nuclear quality controls.
Customer & Business Development
- Prepare and present project status reports, schedule updates, quality metrics, and risk assessments.
- Coordinate customer inspections, witness points, documentation reviews, and final turnover packages.
- Support estimating activities by reviewing technical and regulatory requirements for quotation opportunities.
- Collaborate with the sales team to identify and pursue new business opportunities with current and prospective customers.
- This role may require travel, extended hours, and occasional weekend work based on project requirements and customer needs.
Qualifications & Skills
- Strong understanding of nuclear quality programs and safety culture.
- Working knowledge of nuclear welding processes, fabrication controls, and traceability requirements.
- Strong understanding of NDE processes including RT, UT, MT, PT, and VT.
- Excellent customer-facing and internal communication skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational, planning, and multitasking abilities.
- Proven leadership and problem-solving skills.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience with project management software and scheduling tools.
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a high-compliance environment.
- Exceptional attention to detail, documentation control, and regulatory compliance.
Education & Experience
- Post-secondary education in Engineering, Welding Engineering Technology, Metallurgy, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum 7-10 years of experience in nuclear welding, fabrication, manufacturing, or related industries.
- Demonstrated experience working within a CSA N299.3-certified quality program.
- Strong knowledge of nuclear fabrication requirements, quality systems, traceability, and documentation controls.
- Experience with ASME Section III, CSA N285, or similar nuclear standards is considered an asset.
- Previous experience supporting audits, customer surveillances, and regulatory inspections is preferred.
- PMP certification or formal Project/Program Management certification is considered an asset.
- IWE, IWT, or equivalent welding certification is considered an asset.
Working Conditions
- Regular presence in an active welding and fabrication shop environment.
- Exposure to noise, sparks, grinding debris, and moving equipment.
- Frequent interaction with production personnel, inspectors, and customers.
- Use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
Safety & Quality Expectations
- Adhere strictly to workplace health and safety legislation and company safety procedures.
- Comply with all nuclear quality assurance requirements, documentation standards, and shop-floor controls.
- Follow all quality control processes and maintain strict material and weld traceability.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and corrective action activities.
- Promote and support a strong nuclear safety culture throughout all project activities.
Key Competencies
- Leadership and team coordination
- Nuclear quality and safety mindset
- Attention to detail
- Customer relationship management
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Planning and organizational skills
- Communication and collaboration
- Risk management
- Time management and accountability
- Technical aptitude and regulatory compliance awareness
We Offer
- Competitive wages
- Overtime after 40 hours per week
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, critical care, and pension plan
- Opportunity to work on critical nuclear projects
- Career growth and professional development opportunities
- Opportunity to be part of a growing, diverse team
We are committed to providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations, please contact Human Resources and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Southwestern Manufacturing Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by Southwestern Manufacturing throughout the recruitment, selection and/ or interview process to applicants with disabilities. Please note that this recruitment process may involve the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist in reviewing applications and assessing candidate qualifications. All AI tools used are designed to support fair and consistent hiring practices and are subject to human oversight. Final hiring decisions are made by company representatives, not automated systems. Applicants with questions or concerns about the use of AI in this process may contact Human Resources for more information or to request an alternative application method. Any personal information collected through the hiring process, including information processed by AI tools, will be handled in accordance with our company Privacy Policy and applicable privacy laws.
Reports to:
Department: Nuclear Division
Employment Type: Full-Time
Pay: From $90,000.00 per year
Application question(s):
- Do you have experience working within a CSA N299.3
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Experience:
- Manufacturing: 7 years (preferred)
- Nuclear, fabrication or related : 7 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
