Job Description

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), a national laboratory under the stewardship of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM), is seeking an innovative and strategic Division Director to lead the Tritium Technology Division within the Weapons Production Technology (WPT) Directorate. The WPT Directorate plays a vital role in supporting the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Defense Programs, serving as the technical authority for the development, validation, and implementation of tritium processing technologies that address both current and future stockpile requirements.

In this leadership capacity, the Division Director collaborates closely with the Associate Laboratory Director of WPT to guide science and technology programs. Key responsibilities include establishing a compelling vision backed by a strategic execution plan, enhancing stakeholder engagement and relationship management with major sponsors and production facilities, and fostering staff professional growth and development. The Division Director is instrumental in creating organizational momentum that advances SRNL's facilities and capabilities. Working with their leadership team and the Laboratory's operations staff, the Division Director develops and implements priorities for facility operations and planning. Additionally, this role participates in institutional research and management initiatives, develops cross-disciplinary research proposals, and promotes collaboration across SRNL and with partner universities and external institutions.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the long-term strategic vision for WPT in the areas of hydrogen isotope science and production-related processing, ensuring the division's national and international prominence. This includes achieving production goals, securing new and ongoing research funding, supporting workforce development, meeting scientific program objectives, providing operational support, and addressing scientific infrastructure needs.
• Act as the Laboratory's primary liaison for all NNSA Defense Programs activities related to Tritium, as well as other key sponsors. Provide thought leadership in new technology frontiers and ensure that sponsor needs and expectations are consistently met.
• Promote a culture of scientific excellence, maintaining high standards of safety and security in all activities.
• Proactively advocate for stewardship and accessibility principles within the division.
• Serve as a key member of the WPT Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the formulation and execution of strategic priorities, initiatives, and programmatic growth.
• Develop research programs and strategic partnerships with other national laboratories, colleges, universities, research institutions, and both public and private corporations.
• Drive strategic initiatives for the directorate, including the integration of machine learning into advanced manufacturing processes.
• Provide direct line management for the Tritium Technology Division.
• Oversee recruitment and retention of talent, ensuring a diverse applicant pool and workforce.
• Promote science education and work to build a pipeline of future researchers through outreach and education programs with other national laboratories and learning institutions.
• Foster employee development through mentoring, performance management, and succession planning.
• Represent the Division as the primary contact on lab-level committees, task forces, and working groups, sharing responsibility for the overall lab-wide science and technology strategy.
• Integrate and execute commercialization activities through the Laboratory's business plans and strategies.
• Develop communication strategies across the directorate for multi-disciplinary programs and initiatives.
• Effectively communicate relevant information to key internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead community engagement activities to support regional and national stakeholders.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• A recognized degree (minimum B.S.) in engineering or a physical science discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least 10 years of research and development (R&D) experience in advanced manufacturing, isotope science, or a closely related technical field, with at least 5 years in technical leadership or program management roles.
• A proven track record of leading multidisciplinary research programs, managing scientific staff, and building research portfolios.
• Experience engaging with federal sponsors, including DOE, NNSA, DOD, or industry partners within regulated environments.
• Willingness to travel for stakeholder engagement, site reviews, and partnership development.
• For ability to obtain and maintain a DOE "Q" security clearance, US Citizenship is Legally Required

Preferred Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in engineering or physical science.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Operational experience in a Hazard Category II nuclear facility or a similar radiological facility.
• Experience working with the NNSA, especially in Defense Programs.
• Comprehensive knowledge of advanced manufacturing challenges supporting national security, nuclear material handling, clean energy, or environmental remediation.
• A proven record of securing competitive R&D funding and managing collaborations involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience transitioning research from laboratory scale to industrial or field-scale demonstrations.
• Familiarity with DOE national laboratory systems, project management principles, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to establish external partnerships with academia, consortia, and industry.
• Recognized expertise in advanced manufacturing, evidenced by publications, patents, or awards.
• Commitment to mentoring early-career professionals and fostering inclusive research environments.

About the Team

Weapons Production Technology (WPT) is a world leader in tritium fuel cycles with a strong industrial partnership, including most private companies working on fusion research. WPT also leads the Tokomak Exhaust System Development Project for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. The staff of 300 in this vibrant organization are leading the frontiers of tritium effects on materials, hydrogen science, fusion related research, plutonium metallurgy, sensing and metrology, advanced engineering, and advanced manufacturing.