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Josh Nichols

@joshnichols

Operations leader turned AI implementer: 18 years from Navy nuclear plants to FDA/ISO manufacturing, now shipping AI automation for operations teams.

United States

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What I'm looking for

Fully remote, US-based. Seeking implementation consultant, solutions, and customer success roles at software companies serving manufacturing, quality, and industrial operations — plus operations leadership and AI implementation opportunities. Available immediately, open to full-time and contract.

Implementation specialist who speaks both plant floor and software. Eighteen years operating and improving regulated technical systems — from naval nuclear reactors to FDA and ISO medical device production — including hands-on delivery of automation and precision measurement systems at client sites. Now building AI-powered tools daily with modern LLM stacks: agents, n8n workflows, and data-quality tooling that clients rely on.

I run discovery calls, onboard clients onto new systems, and troubleshoot in the moment when something isn't working — the calm, ownership-minded person a skeptical operator will actually listen to. Founded an AI implementation consultancy (Echostate) and serve as Director of AI Solutions at Jet Black Solutions, leading AI strategy, governance, and deployment across concurrent client engagements.

Highlights: led a 200% factory capacity expansion, cut cost of non-quality 22% year over year while growing customer deliverables 10%, built an AI capability from zero, Certified Scrum Master, Navy nuclear propulsion plant supervisor (E-6). Fully remote, US-based.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Founder & Principal

Current

Echostate

May 2025 - Present (1 year 3 months)

Founded and run an AI implementation consultancy end to end, including strategy, methodology, delivery, and P&L. Built the firm's flagship AI Labor & Process Audit methodology and delivers web development, system integration, and AI automation projects for business clients.

AI Strategy AI Implementation Process Audit ROI Analysis Web Development System Integration AI Automation Remote Work

Current

Director of AI Solutions

Current

Jet Black Solutions

Jan 2025 - Present (1 year 7 months)

Own AI strategy and technology roadmap end to end, serving as sole architect of the organization's AI capability built from zero. Set governance and risk policy for AI deployment, including access control and cost governance, and act as senior client-facing strategist translating technical capability into ROI and risk terms.

AI Strategy technology roadmap AI Governance Risk Policy Access Control Cost Governance Model Routing Client Strategy ROI Analysis

Production Manager

SP Meditec

Feb 2025 - May 2025 (3 months)

Directed full-facility production operations under FDA/ISO regulatory requirements during a critical build-out phase, owning schedule, budget, staffing, and quality outcomes. Built the KPI and reporting framework used to run the business and coordinated engineering, quality, supply chain, and procurement.

Production Management FDA Regulations ISO Standards KPI development Reporting Budget Management Staffing Quality Management Supply Chain Coordination

Product Lead, Lifecycle Operations

Gerresheimer

Jan 2023 - Jan 2025 (2 years)

Led a 200% factory capacity expansion end to end, including capital planning, workforce scaling, logistics, and facility build. Owned the executive relationship for the company's largest customer account and reduced cost of non-quality by 22% year over year while growing customer deliverables by 10%.

Capacity Expansion Capital Planning Workforce Scaling Logistics Facility Build Executive relationship management Cost Reduction Quality Improvement

Project Manager

Osmose Utilities

Jan 2020 - Jan 2023 (3 years)

Owned end-to-end delivery of utility infrastructure projects, including scope, field execution, data quality, and client-facing contractual accountability. Implemented project tracking, reporting, and process improvement measures and kept stakeholders informed with clear reporting.

Project Management Infrastructure Delivery Scope Management Field execution Data Quality Contract Management Reporting Process Improvement Stakeholder Communication

Implementation Engineer

IPA

Jan 2019 - Jan 2020 (1 year)

Led client-facing installation, commissioning, and training for industrial automation deployments, owning technical and relationship outcomes on-site.

Industrial Automation Installation Commissioning Training Customer Relationship Management

Nuclear Reactor Operator / Electronics Technician First Class (E-6)

U.S. Navy

Jan 2008 - Jan 2016 (8 years)

Qualified as a nuclear propulsion plant supervisor, holding authority over the operation and maintenance of a naval reactor plant. Built and certified the next generation of operators, running the training and qualification pipeline for a technical crew under real operational stakes.

Nuclear Reactor Operations Plant Supervision Maintenance Training Qualification Pipeline Leadership

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Old Dominion University

Bachelor of Science, Mechatronics Engineering Technology

Pursuing a BS in Mechatronics Engineering Technology, combining mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. Focus areas include robotics, control systems, automation, and embedded systems.