Test Planner

Job Title: Test Planner

Location: Palisades Nuclear Generating Station, MI

Employment Type: Contract – 6 to 12 Months (Possible Extension)

Fully On-Site

No C2C inquiries

Company Overview:

Our client is a global leader in energy technology, with a focus on nuclear power solutions, solar energy, and large-scale engineered equipment. Dedicated to advancing clean, reliable, and efficient energy, our client leverages cutting-edge research, robust manufacturing capabilities, and an unwavering commitment to safety. As a key player in the nuclear industry, our client seeks professionals who excel in regulated, high-stakes environments and possess a passion for driving operational excellence.

Position Summary:

The Test Planner will be responsible for coordinating, scheduling, and overseeing various test activities to support the development and validation of complex nuclear systems, components, and equipment. Working closely with engineering, quality assurance, and project management teams, the Test Planner will ensure that all testing protocols are well-structured, compliant with regulatory standards, and aligned with project timelines and objectives. The ideal candidate brings exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills to manage multiple concurrent test projects in a highly regulated setting.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Test Scheduling and Coordination:

o Develop, maintain, and communicate comprehensive test schedules in collaboration with engineering and project management teams.

o Identify resource needs (personnel, equipment, materials) and coordinate with relevant departments to secure required resources.

o Monitor progress against the test plan, proactively identifying and resolving scheduling conflicts or resource constraints.

2. Test Planning and Documentation:

o Work with engineering leads to define test objectives, scope, and acceptance criteria for each testing phase.

o Develop and maintain detailed test plans, procedures, and protocols, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal quality policies.

o Ensure that documentation is complete, accurate, and up-to-date, facilitating easy retrieval and audit readiness.

3. Compliance and Quality Assurance:

o Ensure all test planning activities adhere to applicable codes, standards, and regulatory guidelines, particularly in the nuclear sector.

o Collaborate with Quality Assurance teams to incorporate quality checkpoints and ensure thorough documentation of any deviations or non-conformances.

o Support internal and external audits by providing accurate, well-organized documentation related to the testing process.

4. Risk Management and Issue Resolution:

o Identify potential risks, bottlenecks, or dependencies that could impact test schedules or outcomes.

o Develop risk mitigation strategies and communicate potential issues promptly to stakeholders.

o Facilitate resolution of test-related challenges, coordinating with technical experts to troubleshoot and implement corrective actions.

5. Collaboration and Communication:

o Serve as the primary liaison between test teams, engineering, project management, and other cross-functional groups.

o Conduct regular status meetings and provide clear, concise updates on test progress, milestones, and key metrics.

o Maintain open communication channels to ensure that all stakeholders are informed of schedule changes, delays, or emerging priorities.

6. Continuous Improvement:

o Evaluate current test planning processes and workflows to identify opportunities for efficiency gains and increased accuracy.

o Implement best practices, tools, and methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) to optimize test planning and execution.

o Capture and document lessons learned from each testing project to facilitate knowledge sharing and future improvements.

Qualifications:

· Education:

o Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

· Experience:

o 3 years of experience in test planning, project scheduling, or a similar role in a manufacturing, engineering, or industrial environment.

o Experience within the nuclear or other highly regulated industries (preferred).

o Familiarity with quality management systems, regulatory requirements, and industry standards relevant to testing.

· Technical Skills:

o Proficiency in scheduling and project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, or equivalent).

o Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

o Understanding of test procedures, instrumentation, and data collection methods (preferred).

· Soft Skills:

o Exceptional organizational and time management skills.

o Excellent verbal and written communication, with the ability to present complex information clearly.

o Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly when managing multiple, concurrent projects.

o Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Physical and Other Requirements:

· Ability to work in both office and production or test environments.

· May require occasional travel to test sites, vendor facilities, or other company locations.

· Flexibility to work extended hours or weekends to meet critical deadlines when necessary.

· Ability to pass required background checks and security clearances, particularly for work in a nuclear or highly regulated setting.