Production Cell Manager Mechanical Refurbishing

About NAES

At NAES, you’ll find engaging and challenging career opportunities in the power generation, renewable energy and industrial construction industry. At every level of the company, we share a common goal: To instill confidence in our clients through our steadfast commitment to safety, integrity and quality of work.

NAES is largest independent operator of power facilities in the industry, operating more than 190 power plants throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the UK that span all technologies and provide over 49 GW of capacity. With the strength of 4000 people, our growing family of companies now addresses the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

Summary

The Production Cell Manager is responsible for leading all operations within a dedicated production cell specializing in the refurbishment of industrial gas turbines, generators, and load gearbox assemblies.  Provide direct leadership to technical and production personnel while ensuring the safe, efficient, and high-quality execution of all manufacturing activities.  Deliver customer projects on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with engineering specifications, quality standards, and contractual requirements.  Oversee the complete refurbishment process including equipment disassembly, inspection, repair coordination, assembly, testing support, and final readiness for shipment.  Partner closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, Project Management, and Field Services to ensure successful project execution while driving continuous improvement in safety, productivity, quality, and operational excellence.

Primary Duties

• Lead all daily manufacturing operations within the mechanical refurbishment cell.
• Manage production activities associated with industrial gas turbines, generators, and load gearbox assemblies.
• Direct the complete refurbishment process including:
• Equipment receipt and staging
• Disassembly
• Cleaning
• Inspection
• Dimensional verification
• Repair coordination
• Component replacement
• Mechanical reassembly
• Functional testing support
• Final release for shipment
• Ensure manufacturing activities comply with engineering drawings, repair specifications, work instructions, and customer requirements.
• Establish daily production priorities to achieve schedule commitments.
• Monitor workflow and resource allocation to maximize productivity and equipment utilization.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical guidance to mechanics, assembly technicians, inspectors, supervisors, and manufacturing engineers.
• Review technical issues encountered during disassembly and inspection and coordinate resolution with Engineering.
• Ensure proper execution of precision assembly techniques, alignment procedures, torque requirements, bearing installations, rotor handling, and mechanical clearances.
• Support troubleshooting of mechanical issues throughout the refurbishment process.
• Participate in technical reviews for major repair decisions and nonconforming conditions.

Workforce Management

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, skilled mechanics, technicians, and direct labor personnel.
• Build a culture focused on safety, accountability, quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct employee performance evaluations, training, coaching, and career development.
• Ensure staffing levels appropriately support production schedules.
• Promote cross-training and workforce flexibility across manufacturing operations.

Quality Management

• Ensure all manufacturing activities comply with the company's Quality Management System.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to resolve inspection findings and nonconformances.
• Verify completion of inspection hold points throughout the manufacturing process.
• Support root cause investigations and corrective action implementation.
• Drive first-pass quality while minimizing rework and customer escapes.

Cost and Schedule Management

• Maintain ownership of manufacturing cost, labor efficiency, and schedule performance for assigned production cell.
• Monitor labor hours against project budgets.
• Identify and resolve production bottlenecks impacting customer delivery.
• Coordinate with Planning and Project Management to ensure on-time project execution.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve productivity and reduce manufacturing costs.

Safety and Continuous Improvement

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all company safety policies and regulatory requirements.
• Lead daily production meetings and safety discussions.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Utilize operational metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to improve cell performance.
• Participate in Kaizen events and process improvement projects.

Working Relationships

Reports to VP, PM/SC/It and collaborates with EP peers and management.

Compensation 

The initial salary range is $152,200 to $175,100 based on experience and qualifications.

Job Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial technology, or related technical discipline from an accredited college or university recognized by the United States Department of Education or equivalent. Relevant work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

• Years of Experience:
  • Eight years of manufacturing or heavy industrial equipment experience.
  • Five years of leadership experience managing production teams in a manufacturing or repair environment.
  • Experience overseeing refurbishment, overhaul, assembly, or repair of large rotating equipment.
  • Experience managing direct labor, technical personnel, and cross-functional manufacturing teams.
  • Experience managing project cost, scope, schedule, and manufacturing performance metrics.
  • Working knowledge of manufacturing process controls.

• Preferred Experience:
  • Experience with industrial gas turbine refurbishment.
  • Experience with electric generator overhaul and repair.
  • Experience with load gearbox inspection and rebuild.
  • Experience supporting OEM or independent service provider (ISP) turbine refurbishment operations.

• Licenses/Certification: Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma (preferred)

• Software/Equipment Knowledge:
  • Industrial gas turbine construction and refurbishment, electric generator overhaul processes, load gearbox disassembly and rebuild, rotor handling, bearing installation and alignment.
  • Engineering drawings and technical documentation
  • Precision measurement and mechanical inspection, mechanical assembly procedures, torque and bolting practices and dimensional inspection and tolerancing.
  • Material handling of large rotating equipment
  • ISO 9001 quality systems (preferred)
  • ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Ifs, or similar manufacturing software (preferred)

• Other Considerations:
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing planning, scheduling, labor management, and production control.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position is based within a heavy industrial manufacturing facility and requires daily presence on the production floor. The role involves frequent interaction with production personnel, engineering, quality, planning, project management, customers, and suppliers. Occasional travel to customer sites, vendor facilities, or field service locations to support projects.

Normal working hours are 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Monday through Friday.  Extended hours may be required based on specific requirements.  Work at facilities can occur around industrial hazards, in areas of high noise levels, and around new construction. Physical mobility to transverse stairways, ladders, grating, and uneven terrain are essential. Ability to see, hear, read, and react to warning signs, lights, and alarms are essential. This is an onsite opportunity. 

Fit for Duty

All employees will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program. This program includes a post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening. There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the facility.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value of NAES and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times.  Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property.  Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures.  Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.