Stable Isotope Gas Centrifuge R&D Manager

Requisition Id15399

Overview:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the U.S. Department of Energy's largest multi-program science and energy laboratory. Our mission is to deliver scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs that accelerate the development of solutions in clean energy, national security, and scientific exploration. We bring together world-class talent, powerful research tools, and a collaborative culture to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the nation and the world.

The Enrichment Science and Engineering Division (ESED), part of ORNL's Isotope Science and Enrichment Directorate (ISED), plays a vital role in advancing enrichment technologies and producing enriched stable isotopes. These efforts support a wide range of applications-from national security and nuclear nonproliferation to cutting-edge medical treatments and scientific research. ESED is home to a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers who leverage ORNL's unique capabilities to deliver impactful, mission-driven innovation.

We are seeking a visionary and experienced research and development leader to serve as the Stable Isotope Gas Centrifuge R&D Manager. In this senior leadership role, you will lead a portfolio of gas centrifuge research and development projects supporting the DOE's Isotope Research, Development, and Production (IRDP) Program. You will guide these projects from concept through deployment, ensuring technical excellence, operational readiness, and alignment with national priorities.

This position reports directly to the ESED Director.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide scientific and technical leadership to advance DOE isotope program goals at ORNL.
• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple gas centrifuge R&D projects, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, budget, and technical milestones.
• Collaborate closely with the ESED Division Director, Section Heads, and Group Leaders to align project execution with strategic division priorities.
• Partner with ESED leadership to develop and maintain integrated master plans and schedules across all gas centrifuge development activities.
• Coordinate across multiple teams to support consistent execution, resource alignment, and timely delivery of R&D project milestones and deliverables.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with program sponsors, DOE stakeholders, and internal leadership, ensuring clear communication of R&D status, risks, and opportunities.
• Working with ESED line leadership, build and lead a matrix team of high-performing, cross-functional staff by fostering collaboration across ORNL and engaging external expertise when needed.
• Facilitate regular coordination meetings with ESED leadership to assess progress, resolve challenges, and adapt to evolving program needs.
• Support development and management of integrated project plans, risk registers, and performance metrics to ensure accountability and transparency.
• For R&D efforts supporting formal DOE projects, support compliance with project management best practices, including earned value management and DOE Order 413.3 where applicable.
• Support proposal development, contract negotiations, and program reviews.
• Champion ORNL's Research Code of Conduct and foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and integrity.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or a related field with at least 12 years of relevant experience; or
• MS with 16+ years, or BS with 20+ years of experience in experimental R&D within a large, multiprogram environment.
• Proven track record of leading complex, interdisciplinary R&D teams.
• Strong project management skills and experience delivering results in high-stakes environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active DOE Q clearance.
• Experience in the isotope enrichment industry.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Familiarity with DOE Order 413.3 and critical decision review processes.

Special Requirements:

• Q clearance:This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Q 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.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
• For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.
• Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
• To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

• If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment.
• Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life 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.

Relocation:

Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email:ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

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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.