Edgewater Technical Associates is seeking qualified candidates for a Vice President of Manufacturing opportunity in Oak Ridge, TN.

Location: Full-time on site in Oak Ridge, TN

Clearance: Ability to obtain DOE "Q" Clearance is required.

Job Description:

The Vice President of Manufacturing will lead the end-to-end development, build-out, and operational ramp-up of a high-throughput manufacturing facility. This executive will own strategic oversight of plant development, capital project management, production system design, automation strategy, supply chain integration, and workforce scalability to support volumes exceeding 50,000 units annually. This position will leverage automobile manufacturing experience while integrating into a nuclear component manufacturing industry.

Key Responsibilities of Plant Development & Launch – High-Volume Manufacturing

Strategic Site Selection & Infrastructure Readiness:

·        Guide site selection based on logistics efficiency, workforce availability, utility access, and long-term scalability.

·        Lead regional engagement, permitting, and environmental compliance for facility development.

Large-Scale Facility Design & Construction:

·        Oversee the planning and construction of a facility designed for 24/7, high-volume operations.

·        Ensure optimal plant layout for production flow, maintenance access, material movement, and expansion potential.

·        Support make-buy decisions and construction of additional facilities to meet supply chain demands.

Automation & Advanced Manufacturing Integration:

·        Specify and implement high-speed automation, robotics, and Industry 4.0 systems to enable precision, efficiency, and scalability.

·        Integrate smart factory technologies including AGVs, vision-guided inspection, and real-time quality monitoring.

High-Capacity Production Line Planning:

·        Design and launch manufacturing lines capable of supporting 50,000–100,000+ units per year.

·        Lead takt time planning, throughput modeling, and equipment layout to maximize efficiency and uptime.

Digital Manufacturing Systems:

·        Deploy MES, ERP, and IIoT platforms to drive traceability, process visibility, and predictive maintenance.

·        Leverage digital twin simulation for line validation and optimization.

Supply Chain & Logistics Integration:

·        Develop in-plant logistics strategies for JIT/JIS part flow, supplier park coordination, dock management, and material handling.

·        Align inbound and outbound logistics with regional and global distribution networks.

Process Engineering & Industrialization:

·        Drive process development, pilot builds, and SOP execution in alignment with product engineering.

·        Ensure production readiness for new model introduction and high-volume ramp.

Labor Strategy & Workforce Scaling:

·        Build a phased labor strategy to scale from core launch teams to a multi-hundred-person workforce across 2-3 shifts.

·        Partner with HR, unions (if applicable), and training institutions for recruitment, onboarding, and technical development.

Capacity Planning & Continuous Improvement:

·        Establish OEE targets, capacity expansion roadmaps, and lean implementation from Day 1.

·        Build a culture of continuous improvement through Six Sigma, TPM, and cross-functional Kaizen.

Capital Project & Timeline Accountability:

·        Own CapEx planning for a $500M+ facility build and manage program tracking for all plant startup phases.

·        Provide regular reporting to the C-suite on milestones, risk mitigation, and launch KPIs.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Lead all manufacturing operations post-launch including Production, Maintenance, Quality, Materials, and EHS.
• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and international safety and environmental regulations.
• Foster a strong safety culture and zero-defect mindset throughout the organization.
• Serve as the executive liaison for government agencies, community stakeholders, and strategic partners.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field; Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in a Manufacturing Leadership role (automotive industry preferred) involving strategic planning, plant layout, equipment purchase and carbon fiber winding to ensure the efficient, safe and cost-effective production of goods within a high-volume industrial manufacturing environment.
• Must have extensive experience in creating and optimizing processes for the mass production of parts and components.
• Ability to identify areas for improvement in advanced manufacturing processes with the goal of increasing production and reducing cost
• Demonstrated success leading the greenfield development and launch of a high-volume manufacturing facility akin to automotive.
• Expertise in lean manufacturing, automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing systems.
• Proven ability to lead large cross-functional teams and drive organizational performance in a fast-paced, scaling environment.
• Strong financial, technical, and program management acumen.
• Willingness to travel or relocate as needed during project phases with headquarters in Oak Ridge, TN.
• Ability to obtain a DOE “Q” Clearance is required.
• Must be a United States Citizen

If you are interested in being considered for this position and your resume clearly outlines your relevant experience for this position, please follow the application steps via our website: www.edgewatertech.net/careers

Edgewater will not submit your resume without first having detailed discussions with you and obtaining your permission to do so. We look forward to hearing from you!

WORKING WITH EDGEWATER TECHNICAL ASSOCIATES

Founded in 2003, Edgewater Technical Associates, LLC (Edgewater) is a New Mexico-based small business headquartered in Los Alamos, NM, with five (5) regional offices across the United States to locally support our growing presence at project sites. Edgewater has a proven track record and is a trusted provider of fixed-price construction projects, engineering, and technical services for the Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Canadian Commercial Nuclear Industry, and private sector commercial contractors involved in nuclear, high-hazard, or complex operations. Edgewater’s experience and guidance ensure that our customers perform hazardous operations, comply with regulatory requirements, and maintain the highest quality and safety standards.

Edgewater is committed to recruiting and maintaining a staff of highly skilled professionals to support our customers. In keeping with this objective, we offer highly competitive salaries and employee benefit packages structured to best suit your needs. We offer multiple individual and family benefit options including paid time off, medical, dental, life, vision, and disability insurance, and a pre- and post-tax 401 (k) retirement account with Company matching contributions and 100% vesting for eligible participants beginning DAY 1.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Edgewater is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veterans, or individuals with disabilities in accordance with EO 14173.

View all Edgewater opportunities at www.edgewatertech.net/careers

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Edgewater is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veterans, or individuals with disabilities in accordance with EO 14173.

View all Edgewater opportunities at www.edgewatertech.net/careers