Production Planning Support Engineer (Planner) Purpose: Steel America, a business unit of Colonna’s Shipyard, is seeking a highly analytical and organized Production Planning Support Engineer (Planner) to support steel fabrication and manufacturing project planning at our Norfolk, VA headquarters. This role is responsible for developing and managing detailed production schedules, coordinating material and resource requirements, and optimizing workflows to meet complex manufacturing demands. Additionally, the Production Planning Support Engineer ensures that equipment, personnel, and materials are effectively aligned to support efficient production output. The role requires close collaboration with Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Engineering, and Materials teams and plays a critical role in maintaining visibility into production status, capacity, and work-in-progress. The position is located onsite in Norfolk VA and may require hours beyond a standard work week to support business operations, as needed. Position may require limited travel. Job Description: Key elements of the position include: Project Execution Planning Breaks larger projects into management work packages (tasks/phases), defines project scope, estimates resources (labor, materials, budget), establishes timelines & milestones, and support progress tracking Establishes detailed project execution plan and the development of overall project engineering budgets and supports scheduling functions Reviews and approves design documents, change orders, material requisitions and specifications for construction or procurement use Prepares work packages Monitor and adjust schedules to account for changing priorities, material availability, and production constraints Ensure production plans align with capacity, labor availability, and equipment utilization Material Coordination & Flow Control Coordinate material flow to ensure timely availability of components and raw materials to support production schedules Manage and monitor inventory levels to align with production requirements Work closely with materials, logistics, and purchasing teams to identify risks or shortages Manage material readiness and availability for execution Resource Management Coordinate and schedule equipment and personnel to meet production demands Support capacity and capability analysis to improve production planning accuracy Identify inefficiencies or bottlenecks and recommend corrective actions Interdepartmental Collaboration Serve as a key liaison between Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Purchasing, Engineering, and Materials teams Translate engineering drawings and specifications into executable production plans Support shop floor operations by ensuring planning data is accurate and actionable Reporting, Analysis & Problem Solving Track and report work-in-progress (WIP), production status, and schedule adherence Advise management on work status, material availability, and potential production issues while identifying potential risks Assist with capacity, workload, and performance analysis Support continuous improvement initiatives through data-driven recommendations Work Order Management Prepare and manage production work orders and planning documentation Generate internal purchase requests for components or services, as required, in coordination with purchasing Qualifications: Position requires bachelor’s degree in engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related field) and at least 5 years relevant experience. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of degree. Experience must include engineering‑centric support of production planning, including support for logistics, purchasing, material management, and production processes. Must have strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite – specifically Excel, Word, Outlook. Must have knowledge, understanding, and experience in manufacturing processes, production planning, bill of materials, shop floor controls and costing principles. Must be able to read and interpret technical documents, to include production drawings. Must have experience using CAD software (AutoCAD or similar) Must have experience within the construction and/or maritime industry Must have aptitude to solve problems both independently and in groups. Must have excellent written and verbal communication abilities supported by strong negotiation, personnel leadership, and conflict resolution skills. Preferred Qualifications: Experience in a shipyard, steel fabrication, or heavy manufacturing environment Familiarity with ERP, MRP, or production planning systems Understanding of material management, inventory control, and manufacturing workflows Three plus years of experience in AutoCAD and/or Solidworks highly prtefered. Travel Requirements: Minimal Travel; 15% or less. Physical Requirements: Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods. Able to sit and work on a computer for long periods of time. Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another. Communicating with others to exchange information. Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds. Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment available, but also requires safe navigation and regular partnership with operations teams within shipyard/industrial environments. Respect, Pride, Truth, Family – These are our VALUES and the guidelines that make us a leader in our industry. We are pleased and confident in stating that our skilled employees are among the most respected experts in the ship repair industry. Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Additionally, Colonna’s Shipyard provides a variety of benefits to support your best health, wellness, and future, to include medical/dental/vision options, company paid disability insurances, 401k with match, legal services, as well as company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).