James Schuller
Principal Advisor

James T. Schuller

Advanced Manufacturing & Innovation
Leading transformative innovation in additive manufacturing and advanced production technologies for critical defense and nuclear applications.
$24M+ R&D Portfolio Under Technical Oversight
30+ Advanced Technology Projects Directed
6 Years in Naval Nuclear Engineering

About Jimmy

James Schuller is a Principal Advisor for Advanced Manufacturing & Innovation at FissionPoint Assurance, where he brings six years of engineering leadership from the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. As Additive Manufacturing Lead Engineer at Naval Reactors, he was responsible for qualifying and implementing AM materials and parts in nuclear-powered submarines, prototypes, and aircraft carriers—leading a $10 million test program that will qualify the first vendors to produce generic AM material for any Navy application.

James combines deep technical expertise in advanced manufacturing processes—including laser-powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition—with strategic program management experience overseeing a $14 million annual R&D portfolio of over 30 projects aligned with Naval Reactors' vision and strategic goals. His background in engineering management and process improvement enables him to bridge the gap between cutting-edge manufacturing technology and operational implementation.

Honors & Affiliations

Tau Beta Pi

Engineering Honor Society

Education

Juris Doctor Candidate

Harvard Law School

Class of 2028
Doctorate

Engineering Management & Leadership

Purdue University
College of Engineering

Class of 2022
Master's

Nuclear Engineering

Bettis Reactor Engineering School (BRES)
Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program

Class of 2020
Graduate Certificate

Manufacturing & Design Engineering

Northwestern University
McCormick School of Engineering
Cum Laude | NROTC

Class of 2019
Bachelor's

Areas of Expertise

Additive ManufacturingLaser-Powder Bed FusionDirected Energy DepositionNuclear Plant MaterialsMaterials QualificationR&D Portfolio ManagementProcess ImprovementTechnical WritingStakeholder CoordinationMilitary SpecificationsNon-Destructive Inspection

Career Highlights

Program Manager, Additive Manufacturing

Naval Reactors | Naval Officer

Responsible for qualification and implementation of AM materials and parts in nuclear-powered submarines, prototypes, and aircraft carriers. Led $10 million test program qualifying the first vendors to produce generic AM material for any Navy application. Developed AM processes including laser-powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition across steels, nickel-alloys, and zirconium-alloys. Managed Naval Reactors' review and concurrence to military specifications for AM materials.

Program Manager, Advanced Technology Innovation Pipeline

Naval Reactors | Naval Officer

Provided technical oversight for a portfolio of over 30 R&D projects aligned with Naval Reactors' vision and strategic goals, valued at over $14 million annually. Reviewed and adjudicated technical and funding recommendations, briefed executives and the Naval Reactors Director on the project portfolio, and drove adoption of best practices for project execution.

Lead Engineer, Valves & Actuators

Naval Reactors | Naval Officer

Responsible for design, manufacture, installation, monitoring, and maintenance of over 15 reactor plant valve designs for nuclear-powered submarines, prototypes, and aircraft carriers. Led valve design change effort saving $1.5 million in annual maintenance costs. Designed and qualified novel hermetically-sealed valve designs eliminating packing leakage concerns. As Department Business Manager, oversaw procurement of over 1,300 components at $80 million annually.


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