Chief Engineer, Neutron Sciences Directorate

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Neutron Sciences Directorate (NScD) is seeking a Chief Engineer (CE) to strengthen and standardize the directorate's Conduct of Engineering across Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) operations, including their neutron scattering instruments. The CE will lead the rollout of directorate-level engineering governance, including policies, procedures, configuration management, and document control. Under delegated authority, the CE will chair design and safety reviews and change boards, and will work with laboratory stakeholders to improve consistency, efficiency, and reliability. The selected candidate will train with the NScD Asset Management and Engineering Program Manager until that position is vacated. This position resides in the Neutron Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Requirements

A BS degree in engineering related field with at least 12 years of progressive engineering experience in complex, high-consequence environments (e.g., accelerator facilities, nuclear, research laboratories, or comparable industrial systems), including multi-discipline design and integration.
Demonstrated experience establishing or operating configuration management and engineering change control processes.
Experience leading formal design/safety reviews and closing corrective actions.
Experience leading through influence and enforcing standards with a graded, risk-informed approach.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in engineering or related field.
Proven ability to implement and improve engineering processes across organizational boundaries with strong stakeholder engagement.
Experience with DOE, SBMS/WSS, Safe Conduct of Research, and applicable industry codes/standards.
Hands-on experience with PLM (e.g., Windchill) and engineering document control; familiarity with CAD/analysis tools (e.g., Creo, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, ANSYS).
Strong change leadership, consensus building, and communication skills; track record of delivering improvements without compromising safety or configuration control.
Exposure to asset management concepts and reliability practices is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop/refine and implement directorate-level engineering policies and procedures (graded configuration management; engineering change control; design review standards; calculation package and drawing standards sufficient for universal workflows) to ensure the adequacy and quality of engineering processes and work products.
Establish and operate standardized engineering change and configuration management workflows using the selected EIMS/PLM tools (e.g., Windchill) with digital signatures and metadata standards in coordination with Document Control and IT.
Chair design/safety reviews and engineering change boards as delegated and ensure effective closure of findings and corrective actions.
Maintain a concise NScD Engineering Handbook and template library, lead communications and training for policy deployment, and ensure Safe Conduct of Research principles are embedded.
Monitor process performance (cycle time, CM coverage, corrective action closure); drive continuous improvement and transparent feedback/issue tracking.
Serve as liaison to the ORNL NScD Asset Management and Engineering Program Manager/Code Official and represent NScD during reviews/assessments as assigned.
Coordinate with the Proton Power Upgrade (PPU) and Second Target Station (STS) projects as a customer and future operator to ensure project deliverables meet NScD operational requirements (liaison role—no line authority over STS).
Build and lead the NScD Engineering Council (discipline SMEs) to harmonize practices, standards, and tools across divisions.
Support talent development and training; help standardize position descriptions and onboarding for engineers, designers, and technicians.
Serve in a support capacity until the NScD Asset Management and Engineering Program Manager position is vacated.
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.