Engineering Jobs in Ball Ground, GA

Purpose of the Job:

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating overall plant operations, including production, engineering support, and operational improvement initiatives. This role ensures that manufacturing activities run efficiently, safely, and in alignment with business objectives. The Operations Manager drives operational performance through strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes.

Reporting directly to the General Manager, this role provides day-to-day leadership across production operations while maintaining engineering oversight for process improvement, technical problem solving, and new product introduction. The Operations Manager works closely with production, quality, supply chain, maintenance, and engineering resources to maintain high standards of safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities, and Accountabilities

(Include the following; however, other duties may apply.)

Operational Leadership

• Lead daily plant operations to ensure production schedules, quality standards, and delivery commitments are consistently achieved.
• Provide direct leadership and guidance to production supervisors and operational support personnel.
• Maintain a consistent presence on the production floor to monitor performance, support teams, and address operational challenges in real time.
• Establish clear expectations for operational performance and accountability across departments.
• Support staffing, training, and development of production leadership and technical personnel.

Production Management

• Oversee execution of production schedules and ensure alignment with customer demand and plant capacity.
• Monitor production metrics including throughput, scrap, efficiency, and equipment utilization.
• Identify and resolve operational constraints impacting production flow.
• Work closely with supervisors to maintain efficient workflow and balanced production across departments.

Engineering and Technical Support

• Provide technical leadership related to manufacturing processes, machining operations, tooling, and equipment capabilities.
• Support troubleshooting of complex production issues involving machining processes, setups, tooling, or equipment performance.
• Oversee implementation of engineering changes, process improvements, and new product introductions.
• Collaborate with engineering resources to improve manufacturability and operational efficiency.

Process Improvement and Operational Excellence

• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and increase equipment reliability.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving methods.
• Implement process improvements that support long-term operational stability and efficiency.
• Encourage a culture of operational discipline and continuous improvement across production teams.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate operational activities across production, engineering, quality, purchasing, and planning.
• Communicate operational priorities, challenges, and performance updates to leadership.
• Ensure alignment between operational execution and broader business objectives.

Safety and Compliance

• Promote and reinforce a culture of safety throughout the plant.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, ISO, and internal safety and quality standards.
• Evaluate equipment, processes, and procedures for potential risks and implement corrective actions when necessary.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Track and report operational performance metrics to the General Manager.
• Monitor progress of improvement initiatives and ensure accountability for results.
• Support operational planning and forecasting activities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role provides leadership and direction across plant operations and may oversee production supervisors, engineering resources, and operational support personnel. The Operations Manager is responsible for setting performance expectations, supporting leadership development, and ensuring accountability for operational performance across the facility.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent experience in manufacturing leadership or machining operations will also be considered.

Candidates should have at least five years of experience in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated leadership responsibility. A strong technical background in machining or manufacturing processes is highly desirable, as the role requires the ability to support production teams in troubleshooting operational challenges and improving manufacturing performance.

Skills:

• Strong leadership capability with experience directing plant operations and production teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of machining and manufacturing processes, with the ability to troubleshoot production issues and support technical problem solving on the shop floor.
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational performance related to safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to coordinate across production, engineering, quality, supply chain, and leadership teams.
• Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to manage operational priorities, improvement initiatives, and multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Title : Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component : Officer • Active Overview Design, regulate, and oversee the Navy's nuclear propulsion program, including reactor design, fleet operations, and eventual defueling and decommissioning of nuclear powered ships and submarines from Naval Reactors Headquarters and associated Department of Energy laboratories and shipyards.

Key Responsibilities Provide technical direction in areas such as reactor and fluid systems design, reactor physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves, instrumentation and control for reactor and propulsion plants, testing and quality control, radiation shielding, and chemistry and radiological controls; review designs and analyses from laboratories, shipyards, and industry partners; coordinate with fleet units to ensure safe and reliable nuclear plant operation.

What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role rather than operating plants at sea; balance long term engineering projects with time sensitive fleet and shipyard issues; frequent coordination with senior civilian engineers, naval officers, and technical teams; high expectations for attention to detail, judgment, and written and oral communication.

Work Environment Work mainly at Naval Reactors Headquarters in the Washington, District of Columbia area with regular engagement with Department of Energy laboratories, nuclear training sites, shipyards, and nuclear powered ships and submarines; office based work that includes document reviews, technical meetings, inspections, and site visits rather than day to day shipboard watchstanding.

Pathways, Training & Advancement Officer commissioning through programs such as Officer Candidate School or the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate program followed by a structured technical qualification program at Naval Reactors; rotational exposure to laboratories, prototypes, shipyards, and fleet support issues; progressive responsibility leading projects and becoming a subject matter expert, with opportunities for professional military education and advanced graduate study in technical fields.

Entry through the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate program for qualified college students and recent graduates, or selection via Officer Candidate School for those who already hold qualifying degrees; all applicants must meet Nuclear Propulsion Program academic and technical screening standards in addition to general officer commissioning requirements.

Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which typically include: Eligibility to serve in the United States Navy, which may involve United States citizenship or other legal residency and work status, depending on the program and current law and policy A high school diploma or equivalent for enlisted positions, and a bachelor's or qualifying professional degree for officer positions Meeting age limits that vary by program and are set in law and Navy policy.

Some communities have more restrictive age ranges Meeting medical, vision, and dental standards, including body composition and physical fitness requirements, with some jobs requiring more demanding standards Meeting character and conduct standards, including background screening Achieving required test scores for your program, such as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for enlisted roles or officer qualification tests for officer programs Eligibility for a security clearance when required for your rating or designator Additional qualifications can include specific skills, education, licensure, or experience that are unique to a job or community and will be reviewed with you by a recruiter.

Additional qualifications for this job may include: Completion of a rigorous technical degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a closely related field that includes strong backgrounds in calculus and physics; outstanding academic record, particularly in technical coursework; United States citizenship and eligibility for a high level security clearance; strong technical aptitude and comfort with detailed analytical work.

Education Education benefits are available through standard Navy programs such as Tuition Assistance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, ACE-recommended college credit for Navy training, Navy COOL-funded certifications, USMAP apprenticeships, and other Navy College Program opportunities.

Specific options depend on the Sailor's status, training, and current Navy policy.

Pay, Benefits & Service Pay, benefits, and service commitments follow standard Navy Active and/or Reserve policies for this type of role, including basic pay, allowances when eligible, health coverage, and retirement options.

Exact entitlements, special pays, and service obligations depend on program, component, years of service, and current law and Navy guidance.

Incentives Incentives such as bonuses, special pays, and loan repayment may be available at times for specific ratings or communities, but they change frequently and cannot be guaranteed.

Applicants must confirm current incentives and eligibility with an official Navy recruiter or authoritative Navy source.

Notes and Disclaimers This description is a general overview of typical duties, training, and opportunities in this community.

It does not replace official Navy instructions, policies, or contracts and does not guarantee specific assignments, training, incentives, or outcomes.

Actual opportunities depend on Navy needs, individual performance, screening results, and current law and policy.