Division Director, Centrifuge Enrichment Technology Division

Requisition Id 17128 

Overview:

The Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate (ISED) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks applicants for the Division Director of the Centrifuge Enrichment Technology Division. This position reports to the ISED Associate Laboratory Director.

The Division Director will lead and manage the science, engineering, technology development, prototype manufacturing, testing, demonstration, and deployment-readiness capabilities of the Centrifuge Enrichment Technology Division. The Director will be responsible for establishing and implementing strategies that advance current programmatic missions, strengthen future technical directions, and ensure ORNL serves as the nation’s Centrifuge Center of Excellence.

The Centrifuge Enrichment Technology Division advances gas centrifuge isotope separation missions by integrating research, modeling, simulation, diagnostics, design, systems engineering, testing, prototype manufacturing, data analysis, quality, configuration management, and deployment-focused R&D. The Division delivers national impact by progressing technologies from basic research and development through prototype demonstrations to mature, production-ready designs for external partners or for manufacturing and deployment at ORNL.

The Director will collaborate closely with the ORNL NNSA Defense Fuels Program Manager, the ORNL Stable Isotope Program Manager, internal partners across divisions and directorates, external stakeholders, and sponsoring organizations to deliver outcomes consistent with national enrichment and isotope mission needs.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead a division of approximately 200 staff, providing effective line management including supervision of section heads and division leadership, budget and business operations, salary planning, recruitment, staff development, employee relations, performance management, and organizational effectiveness.
• Provide leadership that integrates and focuses Division capabilities toward world-class gas centrifuge isotope separation science, engineering, technology development, demonstration, and deployment-readiness goals aligned with ISED and Laboratory missions.
• Establish and execute a strategic vision for centrifuge enrichment technology, including research, design, modeling, diagnostics, testing, prototype manufacturing, data analysis, systems engineering, quality, configuration management, and production-readiness.
• Serve as ORNL’s steward for centrifuge enrichment technology innovation by strengthening the Division’s role as the nation’s Centrifuge Center of Excellence.
• Provide direct and/or supervised point-of-contact program management interface to sponsoring organizations.
• Collaborate with program managers and directorate leadership to develop practical and achievable division work scope, integrated schedules, milestones, deliverables, and performance expectations that meet sponsor commitments.
• Ensure the Division executes projects and delivers outcomes consistent with sponsor commitments, technical requirements, quality expectations, budget, and schedule.
• Guide efficient progression from basic R&D through prototype demonstrations to mature, production-ready designs for external partners or for manufacturing and deployment at ORNL.
• Ensure appropriate quality, configuration management, technical rigor, and formal work-control expectations are integrated throughout the technology lifecycle, from research and development through design, prototype manufacturing, testing, qualification, and deployment.
• Ensure classified laboratories, workspaces, networks, and supporting infrastructure are maintained to enable safe, secure, compliant, and efficient mission execution.
• Develop and execute mission objectives by integrating capabilities across research, engineering, manufacturing, testing, operations, quality, safety, and project-execution organizations.
• Partner and collaborate with external organizations, including government, industry, and other stakeholders, to advance centrifuge enrichment technology research, development, demonstration, manufacturing readiness, and deployment.
• Represent ORNL before advisory committees, sponsors, peer review bodies, technical communities, and other external stakeholders.
• Develop and implement performance measures to monitor progress, identify emerging issues, support continuous improvement, and drive corrective actions where needed.
• Emphasize scientific productivity, engineering excellence, technical impact, disciplined execution, ethical behavior, and the reputation of the Division, including staff engagement in professional organizations and national technical communities.
• Promote a culture of accountability, clarity, consistency, humility, and service-focused leadership by setting clear expectations, empowering leaders, and holding the organization responsible for high standards of performance and conduct.
• Foster a diverse and inclusive work environment where every employee feels safe, heard, respected, and appreciated and where employees can thrive.
• Serve as the Division work authority, striving to implement a workplace culture attentive to hazard identification and responsive in providing controls and processes to address those hazards.
• Promote a strong safety, security, quality, Safe Conduct of Research, conduct-of-operations, continuous-improvement, and compliance culture appropriate for high-consequence research, engineering, prototype manufacturing, testing, and demonstration activities.

Basic Qualifications:

• MS degree in engineering, physical sciences, or a related technical field with at least 15 years of relevant experience in an R&D, engineering, manufacturing, technology development, or mission-delivery environment. A PhD is strongly preferred. 
• Candidates must have demonstrated leadership experience in line management and organizational operations, including supervision of technical leaders, budget and business planning, staff recruitment and development, employee relations, performance management, and effective collaboration across diverse customer and stakeholder groups.
• Candidates must have strong leadership, interpersonal, communication, and business management skills, with a proven record of developing and executing a technical vision and strategy in a fast-paced R&D, engineering, or mission-delivery environment.
• Candidates must demonstrate humility and service-focused leadership that prioritizes mission and team success.
• Candidates must have strategic leadership experience managing organizations of significant scale and complexity, including organizations of more than 50 staff and associated budgets for at least five years.
• Candidates must have demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive external partnerships with government, industry, sponsors, and other stakeholders.
• Candidates must demonstrate the ability to manage within a labor agreement, where applicable.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in engineering, physical sciences, or a related technical field and at least seven years of relevant centrifuge R&D, engineering, manufacturing, or technology-demonstration experience.
• Preferred candidates will have line management experience for organizations exceeding 100 employees with diverse technological backgrounds.
• Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: gas centrifuge isotope separation, centrifuge technology, enrichment systems, rotating machinery, gas-phase systems, modeling and simulation, diagnostics, dynamic testing, systems engineering, advanced manufacturing, prototype manufacturing, testbed operations, technology qualification, technology demonstration, or deployment-oriented R&D.
• Experience in program management and/or serving as a principal investigator is preferred.
• Demonstrated success implementing technology solutions through collaboration with industry partners, DOE, NNSA, or other federal sponsors is preferred.
• Experience leading work under a formal Quality Assurance Program, such as NQA-1, ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar, is preferred.
• Experience managing complex sponsor relationships, classified or controlled research environments, safety-basis expectations, conduct-of-operations expectations, multidisciplinary technical teams, labor agreement considerations, and cost/schedule/scope commitments is preferred.

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance and is designated as a Workplace Substance Abuse Program testing designated position. Workplace Substance Abuse Program positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

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.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: View email address on us.fitly.work.

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.

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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.

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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.