Gas Testing Science Group Leader

Requisition Id 13738 

Overview:  

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy (DOE) science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. The Enrichment Systems Engineering Section is seeking Gas Testing Science Group Leader who will support the Enrichment Science and Engineering Division (ESED) within the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate (ISED) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). ESED serves the nation in two critical areas: advancing enrichment technologies and exploring stable isotope production and applications. The division leverages an elite staff of scientists and engineers with the world-leading capabilities of ORNL to deliver groundbreaking advancements with a variety of applications, from national security to life-saving medical treatments. ESED is the national steward for the research, development, and demonstration of centrifuge technology innovations; advances electromagnetic isotope separations technology; and delivers stable isotopes for medical, industrial, and DOE mission critical applications. The successful candidate will execute these important missions by teaming with ESED’s division director, program managers, and staff to build on a rich history of accomplishments in enrichment science and engineering.

As part of our team, you will provide technical leadership and first-line oversight of work assignments that strategically advance enrichment technology through informing the design of and performing the gas testing of individual gas centrifuges and cascades of gas centrifuges. The Gas Testing Science Group Leader reports to and works closely with the Centrifuge Science Section Head to deliver group assignments, advance centrifuge designs, and develop subject matter expertise. This position works closely with other ESED Line Managers, project managers, and WBS managers to execute discrete project scope according to approved schedules, budgets, and technical milestones. Additional interfaces will be with principal investigators, engineers, technicians, and other individual stakeholder personnel.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

1. Leadership
   • Lead and inspire a diverse team by fostering a collaborative environment that promotes operational and technical excellence as well as teamwork within the group and across the division. Champion continuous staff development through targeted training programs, mentorship, and performance feedback to ensure both individual and organizational growth.
   • Provide technical leadership and guidance to address the mission needs of ESED projects, identifying strategic equipment, software, tools, and processes to promote a high-performance culture.
   • Originate and implement testing processes which allow the flexibility of safe and efficient R&D efforts complemented with the necessary rigor as projects transition into higher levels of technical maturity.
   • Be the technical leader and resource for group members when challenges arise.
   • Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote and foster a respectful workplace where all staff members can thrive.

2. Capability/Staff Development
   • Establish and maintain qualified gas test engineers
   • Ensure effective mentoring and knowledge transfer occurs between senior staff members (both within and external to the group) and junior staff members.
   • Develop and sustain group proficiency in gas dynamics.
   • Identify training and professional development opportunities for staff which support the group’s mission.
   • Establish and ensure an open and supportive working environment where staff report issues and concerns without fear of retribution, so that trust permeates the organization.
   • Establish an environment where learning never stops, honest mistakes are treated as opportunities to learn, and challenges are welcomed to improve performance.
   • Ensure individual performance goals are set, progress evaluated, and timely feedback is provided.

3. Project Execution
   • Ensure coordination with project leadership, modeling and simulation leadership, engineering design leadership, and manufacturing leadership to innovate new concepts and develop and prioritize gas test plans and associated schedules.
   • Authorize and close test instructions for control of execution.
   • Manage group assignments to high performance standards by assessing project execution and being proactive in taking actions to correct or improve performance.
   • Work with project leadership and project controls personnel to advise testing task durations and schedule for existing and future work.
   • Deliver test plans, test instructions, and test reports within communicated schedule and budget guidance, ensuring that documentation is accurate, clear, and supports downstream work activities.
   • Effectively communicate project status, updates, and testing activities to ORNL management and external project sponsor leadership.
   • Advise project leadership in areas related to cascade design, deployment, and operation.

4. Technical Contribution

• Lead activities that advance state-of-the-art enrichment system performance and testing processes, techniques, and procedures.
• Facilitate formal test plan review, by preparing review documents, organizing primary test plan contributors, and fielding review panel comments to satisfactory resolution.
• Provide technical direction and trouble-shooting skills to support a group of chemical process engineers.
• Perform or coordinate peer-review and approval of group test report documents/data.

Required Qualifications:

• Active DOE Q Clearance.
• BS degree in a technical field, plus 15 years of relevant experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience),

• Demonstrated experience in leading technical teams or projects

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with vacuum systems, hazardous and reactive gas processing systems, gas sampling techniques
• Experience with enrichment cascade design, deployment, and operation
• Experience with modeling and simulation of enrichment cascade performance.
• Successful execution of research and development or other large technology-based projects at ORNL or within the DOE complex.
• BS, MS or PhD in chemical engineering

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions. As such, a pre-hire physical will be required after offer.
• This position requires the ability to maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

Benefits at ORNL:  

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

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This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.