Job descriptionThe Program Manager – Nuclear Welding & Fabrication is responsible for the end-to-end execution of nuclear fabrication programs in a CSA N299.3–certified environment. This role ensures that all welding, fabrication, inspection, machining and documentation activities meet stringent nuclear quality, traceability, and special process controls while achieving program cost, schedule, and performance objectives. The Program Manager serves as the primary interface between Engineering, Quality Assurance, Welding Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and the Customer, ensuring full compliance with nuclear codes, standards, and customer specifications throughout the lifecycle of each program.
Key Responsibilities:
Program & Contract Execution
• Lead assigned nuclear welding and fabrication programs from contract award through final turnover and closeout.
• Maintain full accountability for scope, schedule, cost, quality, and nuclear compliance.
• Develop and manage integrated program schedules aligned with fabrication, welding, NDE, heat treatment, and inspection milestones.
• Coordinate change management activities, including engineering changes, customer deviations, concessions, and NCR dispositions.
Nuclear Welding & Fabrication Oversight Oversee shop-floor welding and fabrication activities to ensure compliance with:
• Approved WPS/WPQRs
• Weld maps, traveler packages, and fabrication drawings
• Hold points and inspection stages
• Ensure weld quality objectives are met, including defect prevention, repair control, and re-work reduction.
• Monitor weld repair rates, first-pass yield, and corrective actions for adverse trends. Quality, Traceability & Special Processes
• Ensure full material and weld traceability from raw material receipt through final weld and inspection records.
Verify proper implementation of special process controls, including:
• Welding
• NDE (RT, UT, MT, PT, VT)
• Heat treatment (PWHT)
• Cleaning, surface preparation, and handling
• Ensure travelers, inspection plans, and quality records meet CSA N299.3 and customer nuclear documentation requirements.
• Support audits, surveillances, and inspections by customers, regulators, and certification bodies. Shop-Floor Controls & Compliance
Ensure strict adherence to shop-floor controls typical of nuclear fabrication environments, including:
• Controlled work areas
• Status identification and segregation of non-conforming items
• Document control and revision management
• Calibration and control of measuring and inspection equipment
• Work closely with QA and Production Supervisors to ensure hold points are respected and releases are properly authorized.
Cross-Functional Leadership Act as the central coordination point between:
• Welding Engineering
• Quality Assurance
• Manufacturing/ Production
• Supply Chain & Procurement
• Engineering & Design
• Facilitate regular program reviews, risk assessments, and readiness reviews.
• Escalate quality, schedule, or compliance risks early with clear mitigation plans. Customer & Stakeholder Interface
• Serve as the primary customer point of contact for program execution, progress reporting, and issue resolution.
• Prepare and present program status reports, including quality metrics, weld performance indicators, and schedule progress.
• Manage customer communications related to inspections, witness points, and documentation submissions.
• Provide customers with comprehensive updates and detailed Gantt charts at all stages of the manufacturing process, ensuring strict adherence to CSA N299.3 requirements, observance of all documented hold points, and completion of all required inspections and signoffs in accordance with nuclear quality and shop-floor control procedures. Estimating and Quoting
• Support the estimating team in reviewing new quote packages to ensure all technical, regulatory, and customer requirements are accurately captured and documented in the submitted estimate.
• Collaborate with the sales team to identify and pursue new business opportunities with both existing and prospective customers.
Qualifications Required Qualifications
• Post-secondary education in Engineering, Welding Engineering Technology, Metallurgy, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in nuclear welding and fabrication environments.
• Demonstrated experience working within a CSA N299.3–certified quality program.
• Strong working knowledge of:
• Nuclear welding processes and controls
• Weld documentation, travelers, and traceability systems
• NDE methods and inspection hold points
• Non-conformance control and corrective action processes
• Proven ability to manage complex fabrication programs with stringent quality and regulatory requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
IWE, IWT, or equivalent welding certification.
Experience with ASME Section III, CSA N285, or other nuclear pressure boundary codes.
Prior experience supporting nuclear audits, customer surveillances, or regulatory inspections.
Familiarity with nuclear utilities, EPCs, or OEM customer requirements in Canada.
PMP or formal project/program management certification.
Key Competencies
• Strong understanding of nuclear safety culture and quality assurance principles. • Exceptional attention to detail, particularly in documentation and traceability.
• Ability to translate nuclear code and standard requirements into practical shop-floor execution.
• Clear, confident communicator with the ability to interface effectively with inspectors, engineers, and senior management.
• Calm and decisive under pressure in high-compliance environments.
Working Conditions
• Regular presence on the shop floor in an active welding and fabrication environment.
• Occasional travel to customer or supplier facilities as required.
• Must be eligible to work in Canada and meet site-specific nuclear access requirements.
