welder

project manager

fabricator/welder

service engineer

receiver

Babcock & Wilcox

The Barberton NOG division works in departmental Silos. There is minimal communication between departments and coordination of efforts especially between the design groups and the shop floor. Once you are hired it is every man for his self. The departments are very cliquish. There is constant backstabbing and belittling. Schedenfreude is the predominate culture.

Most managers there have limited work experience outside B&W. B&W is the only company where they have ever worked. They brag about 40 years of service but are still operating as if it is the 1970’s and are very closed minded. The treatment of the direct labor is 1930 anti-union. The threat of being fired is always hanging over your head. This threat also applies to salary. They have a 9-80 work program but if you hire in as salary be prepared to work significant hours of unpaid overtime, but don’t you dare leave 2 minutes early on any day –you will be disciplined.

The HR department is poorly run. When you want to get current information ask the hourly on the shop floor. B&W will negotiate vacation (they routinely give 3 weeks if you stick to your guns, but HR will lie and say that they do not negotiate vacation. HR habitually skews the truth.) Ask for as much as you can get because the pay raises are minimal. The company will claim to pay you for billable overtime (U.S. Navey contractor) however there is a cap of $8700 per month you are allowed to make (Base +OT); after that you work for free. The company will bill the government for this unpaid work. They make money but you don't. If you are considering an engineering job or supervisor job avoid this company, at least Barberton Nuclear operations group.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Plan, schedule, provide technical support to and administrative management of the tool applications department to achieve on-schedule product completion at the lowest manufactured cost through on-time delivery of tooling, software and computer generated data to support safety, cost and quality goals.

REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Identify potential problems affecting CNC machine tool operations and take action to resolve same.

Monitors effectiveness of NC programs and tools and take necessary action for continuous improvement.

Continuously review product for applications of CNC machining.  Provides guidance to shop schedulers as to most economic method of manufacture.

Survey applicable technological developments and appraises management/supervisors of potential application.

Recommend the most efficient tooling for all machining application and ensures tools are availible to support machining operations.

Provide project coordination for special projects as assigned by the manager, Plant Engineering & Support Services.

Maintain awareness of new development in cutting tools as they become available and recommends application.

Develops and monitors R&D projects, including budgets, as required.

Compiles and forecasts budget across all Components and Contracts.

Manage a cutting tool budget of more than 3 million dollars.

Coordinates activities with NC programming, Manufacturing and Design Engineering for completion of contracts in all stages- from development to machining to fabrication.

A typical day as a operation engineer is to walk the manufacturing shop floor, reviewing equipment operation and production progress ensuring any necessary concerns or technical issues are addressed.  
I learned a lot about the nuclear industry, nuclear naval propulsion systems manufacturing, and vacuum heat treatment.
Management varies in style throughout the company, they are very family oriented and cordial with their interaction, however some do not do their jobs.  There is much micro-management across the board, and some extreme cases of controlling and micromanaging behaviors, making it very difficult to prosper and develop as a sound engineer.  
Coworkers there are great to work with. I have formed outstanding professional and personal relationships with them.  
The hardest part of this job is having your professional opinion and drive to make a process better discarded by management on a regular basis, and to see no fiscal responsibility throughout the organization wasting millions in tax-payer money. 
Being a part of the manufacturing of very unique equipment that serves out US naval fleet.

Ability to gain valuable design experience
Work responsibilities are very fluid, allowing individuals a broad and exciting work experience
I learned the ability to multitask and interface with various design groups in a fast-paced, design-intensive project
I learned about the ability of a nuclear plant to respond to various plant transient conditions and about the importance of conservatism and safety margin when designing a passively safe nuclear plant
The hardest part of the job was keeping pace with the ever-changing plant system designs
The most enjoyable part of the job was the new and exciting challenges of every day design work, the ability to perform different work activities on a weekly or daily basis, and the quality of engineers with whom I worked and with whom I developed strong relationships.

When I began working here, it was a place where everyone enjoyed their place of employment. In the last 5 or 6 years, morale has really dropped among the employees and many people have lost the desire to work here. 
  I can say I have learned many things in my time of employment here, things I might have never seen otherwise. In a typical day, I will meet with the supervisor gathering instructions for our maintenance team to perform during our work period. I also have to communicate with the area supervisors, in which we will be working, in order to schedule repairs with the smallest amount of downtime possible.   
  When it comes to speaking of the most enjoyable part of my job, I would have to say it is the people in which I work with.  On the other hand, when it comes to describing the hardest part, I would have to say it is finding the "Correct" tools to make repairs with.

During my 13+ years at B&W, I had learned so much through on the job training regarding boilers and environmental equipment, reimbursed educational classes at local universities and about myself in working with others. It was an amazing experience for a young person just starting a career! I was able to advance myself through promotions and transfers to more interesting & challenging positions. I have been able to take many of the things learned and apply them in other companies that I have since worked for.
B&W has enormous pride in their products and there is team work and comradeship amoung co-workers as they strive together to accomplish their tasks.
The hardest part of this job was saying good bye to those who were laid off.

constantly on call to travel to a site to work not allowing to make plans for a personal life without taking vacation days.
Work is often slow when arriving waiting on things out of my control.
I do not find the work very interesting because we are just there for technical advice and consulting. 
The work can be interesting sometimes because some problems found in the field are interesting and require good problem solving and critical thinking.
90% Travel.
Management seems like it could be run better because many of the plant schedules are very planned. at similar times each year. 
There isn't much for workplace culture because you are constantly traveling.
The hardest part of the job correctly communicating through several groups of people.
The most enjoyable part of the job is witnessing everything in action in the field.

The work is not hard, There is a great deal of training and policies and procedures that must be followed. A tremendous amount of oversight from several different government agencies and in plant auditors. A very highly trained workforce. A very structured work environment. Safety ,security, and quality are a constant in the daily routines. The hardest part of the job is the amount of time the company demands of the employees. Overtime is a constant requirement, sometimes more than others but always there. The hardest part of the job is dealing  with managerial and supervisory changes. Sometimes they can be good and sometimes not. And dealing with the "good ole boy network"  when it comes to promotions. The best part of the job is the pay and benefits. The worst part is the possibility of a lay off and they don't look at your time or seniority.

Gnerally enjoyable environmnt.  Managemnt is inconsistent in decisions then firm in enforcing final decision.   frustrarting when you are the scapegoat in the end.  Wasting of money is seen again and again.  Favorites are often pickd instead of the one who actually can do the job.  Management does not seem to care when real facts are presented showing how to save money.  I was often swept to the background when I brought case studies on how a situation could be handled better with historical evidence proving the case.  Never was a compensation increase given with a responsibility increase.  My family often suffered with my longer hours which were expected and not rewarded.

I met some awesome people to work with here. Very few were in IT management.  Most of IT management was arrogant and condescending and used people as pawns to further their personal agendas.  They did not care who they stepped on or who they stabbed in the back.  I witnessed a lot of good people get trampled by IT management in this organization.  What was most appalling is that IT managers were so delusional and full of themselves they actually thought they were great leaders.  In reality they couldn't lead a group of pre-school children in afternoon story and nap time.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Welder 4 salaries reported	$28.82 per hour
Project manager 3 salaries reported	$116,000 per year
Fabricator/welder 2 salaries reported	$28.82 per hour
Service engineer 1 salary reported	$111,426 per year
Receiver 1 salary reported	$25.23 per hour

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