About This RoleAs Production Supervisor at General Matter, you'll run a shift across the welding and process piping cells at our new manufacturing site in Paducah, Kentucky, which produces process piping and structural steel fabrications for the nuclear industry. This is a hands-on leadership role. You'll spend about 60% of your time on the floor coaching fitters, welders and operators, solving problems at the cell and keeping automated equipment running. The other 40% goes to driving the KPIs that show how the shift is performing. You'll be here from the start: commissioning new cells and equipment, building the crews, and setting the standard for safe, on-schedule work that holds up in an NRC-regulated quality environment.
The work happens on an active fabrication floor with welding, grinding, overhead cranes and forklifts. PPE is required, and you'll need to stand and walk for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs, with or without reasonable accommodation. You'll work assigned shifts, including off-shift coverage while the site starts up.
If you seek high impact and are excited by fast-paced, intense, Skunkworks-style projects, we encourage you to apply to join our team.
Responsibilities- Lead the shift on the floor: run shift start-up and tier meetings, assign work by cell, and stay at the point of fabrication coaching fit-up, welding and assembly on pipe spools and structural steel.
- Own shift KPIs (schedule attainment, first-pass yield, weld repair rate, OEE and downtime on automated equipment, units per labor hour, overtime and safety) and act on them daily through the shift KPI board and handoffs.
- Run and improve automated and mechanized fabrication equipment, such as orbital and robotic welding, pipe positioners and CNC cutting, partnering with Maintenance and Weld Development on setup, troubleshooting and uptime.
- Ensure work follows approved procedures, drawings and welder qualifications, with traceability that meets a nuclear quality and safety program (10 CFR Part 70), and support Quality's stop-work authority.
- Build and develop the crew: help hire and train shift/cell leads and operators, write and maintain standard work, and keep the training matrix current.
- Lead a strong safety culture on the shift, covering hot work, lifting and rigging, cranes and forklifts, PPE, near-miss reporting and 5S.
Basic Qualifications- Evidence of exceptional ability (prior projects, portfolio of work, completed products, etc.).
- 5+ years in process piping and/or steel fabrication, including 2+ years supervising or leading a shift or crew of welders, fitters and operators.
- Solid hands-on welding background, with working knowledge of GTAW, GMAW, FCAW and SMAW, pipe and structural fit-up, and reading isometrics and shop drawings.
- Strong understanding of automated or mechanized fabrication equipment (orbital or robotic welding, positioners, CNC plasma/laser cutting) and basic PLC/HMI operation.
- Demonstrated use of production KPIs to run a shift, with experience tracking and improving schedule attainment, first-pass yield, rework and equipment uptime.
- Ability to find the root cause of fit-up, weld and equipment problems at the cell, and to make clear calls from first principles when you only have partial information.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.
- Must be a U.S. person, as this role requires regular access to export-controlled environments, and able to obtain and maintain the site access authorization required for the role.
Preferred Skills and Experience- Associate or bachelor's degree in welding, manufacturing or a related field.
- Experience in a fast-paced engineering or highly technical environment, with a resourceful approach to delivering under tight timelines or budget constraints.
- Working knowledge of ASME B31 piping codes and AWS D1.1, welding procedure specifications, welder qualifications and NDE.
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or current welding certifications.
- Experience launching or commissioning automated weld or cutting cells, or programming robotic welding systems.
- Lean or Six Sigma training, and experience in nuclear-industry fabrication or another NRC-regulated quality program.
- Experience using an MES and ERP/MRP system on the shop floor.
Compensation and BenefitsThe base salary range for this role is $120k-$170k annually.
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. Please note that the stated salary range is an estimate and may be adjusted based on market conditions, business needs, or other factors. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
