Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Group Lead, Machine Design Engineering

Oak Ridge National Laboratory$100K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline and a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience
  • At least 3 years of experience in precision machine design
  • Experience leading technical teams or projects
  • Background in machining, fabrication, or inspection
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills across diverse teams
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy security clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.

Responsibilities

  • Provide technical leadership and guidance for ESED projects
  • Implement processes for safe and efficient R&D efforts
  • Lead and support group members in overcoming challenges
  • Ensure integration across analysis and manufacturing activities
  • Communicate expectations clearly and foster a culture of continuous learning
  • Manage group assignments to uphold high performance standards
  • Deliver accurate design outputs according to schedule.

Benefits

  • Flexible work environment that supports both organization and employee needs
  • Onsite presence required at Oak Ridge, Tennessee
  • Opportunity to work on groundbreaking advancements in enrichment technology
  • Engagement with a team of elite scientists and engineers
  • Involvement in national security and life-saving medical advancements.
Full Job Description
Requisition Id 16065

Overview:

The Enrichment Systems Engineering Section is seeking a Machine Design Engineering 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 technologies. The Machine Design Engineering Group Leader reports to and works closely with the Enrichment Systems Engineering Section Head to manage group assignments, approve machine design outputs, drive continuous process improvements, and develop subject matter expertise. This position works closely with other ESED line managers; project managers; design, manufacturing, testing staff; and quality representatives to execute discrete project scope according to approved schedules, budgets, and milestones.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:
  1. Leadership
    • 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 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 and manufacturing readiness.
    • Be the technical leader and resource for group members when challenges arise.
    • Ensure cross-functional teaming and group integration with upstream analysis and downstream manufacturing/procurement activities.
    • 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.


  1. Capability/Staff Development
    • Clearly communicate expectations, providing visibility of what successful looks like for roles within the group.
    • 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.


  1. Project Execution
    • Maintain visibility of Design Requests and Production Order demands, ensuring work in process is adequately supported (for both internal and external fabrication shops).
    • Manage group assignments to high performance standards by assessing project execution and being proactive in taking actions to correct or improve performance.
    • Deliver design outputs (requirements, drawings, specifications, calcs.,) within communicated schedule guidance, ensuring that documentation is accurate, clear, and supports downstream work activities.


  1. Technical Contribution
  • Review analysis results and testing data for targeted machine design advancements.
  • Approve design drawings and specifications.
  • Support troubleshooting technical issues and drive actions to completion.
  • Establish standard processes to ensure design control and configuration management.
  • Ensure acceptance criteria is defined and accurately translated.
  • Align continuous improvement activities with Line Management, ESED Operations Manager, and Design Supervisors to promote efficient operations.


Basic Qualifications:
  • BS degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline and a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience
  • A minimum of 3 years' experience in precision machine design
  • Demonstrated experience leading technical teams or projects
  • Machining, fabrication, or inspection experience
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals in a diverse cross-functional community
  • The ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance from the Department of Energy, which requires US Citizenship.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Active DOE Q Clearance
  • Licensed Professional Engineer
  • Relevant design experience with enrichment system technologies
  • Experience working in secure environments and ensuring protection of sensitive information
  • Successful execution of research and development or other large technology-based projects at ORNL or within the DOE complex
  • SolidWorks Professional
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory
  • Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs


Special Requirements:
  • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
  • HSPD-12 PIV badge: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
  • Q or L clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain and 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.


This position is located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and requires onsite presence. We offer a flexible work environment that supports both the organization and the employee.

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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.

About Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is a science and technology national laboratory managed for the United States Department of Energy (DOE) by UT-Battelle. ORNL is the largest science and energy national laboratory in the Department of Energy system by size and by annual budget. ORNL conducts research and development activities in a variety of scientific and technical disciplines. ORNL's scientific programs focus on materials, neutron science, energy, high-performance computing, systems biology and national security. ORNL partners with other national laboratories, universities and industry to solve complex problems and transfer knowledge and technology. ORNL is home to several of the world's most powerful supercomputers, including Summit, the world's most powerful supercomputer as of November 2018.
Learn more about Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Size
5,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1943

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