Department Director, Electric Power Systems

Argonne National Laboratory•Lemont, IL

3d•$169,507 - $264,432

About The Position

Argonne National Laboratory is hiring a Department Director for the Electric Power Systems Department within the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Assessment Division in the Advanced Energy Technologies Directorate. The Director provides strategic vision, technical direction, leadership, coordination, and support for energy and environmental analysis research and development programs serving the electric sector and other energy sectors. The role requires comprehensive knowledge of energy systems analysis tools, particularly those used for electric-sector analysis in domestic and international applications. The Department conducts technical, economic, and environmental analyses to inform decisions by federal agencies, industry, and other stakeholders. Its work develops and applies advanced methodologies, computational tools, and experimental platforms to evaluate energy technologies and systems, including electricity generation, transmission, energy storage, demand response, and energy interdependencies. The multidisciplinary team combines engineering, economics, and systems science in modeling and simulation, optimization and equilibrium analysis, engineering economics, and technology impact assessment. The Department Director defines the department’s strategy, grows research capabilities and the research portfolio, and leads scientists and engineers in delivering high-quality, mission-driven outcomes. The Director guides research direction and technology development, advances computational tools and experimental testbeds, builds partnerships and funding opportunities, and collaborates across Argonne and with DOE program offices, national laboratories, universities, and industry partners to translate research into practical impact. The role also involves managing technical staff, programs, projects, and deliverables, as well as identifying research opportunities and pursuing sponsor funding. The Director is expected to foster an inclusive, high-performance environment and a culture of safety, integrity, respect, teamwork, and collaboration.

Requirements

PhD in engineering, science, or a related field with at least 10 years of relevant experience, or an MS with at least 15 years of experience and demonstrated technical leadership.
Skill in applying modeling, simulation, and visualization technologies and concepts to energy systems analysis.
Knowledge of research programs and priorities of the Department of Energy Office of Electricity (OE) and Office of Critical Materials and Energy Innovation (CMEI).
Thorough understanding of electricity from conventional to renewable generation and production, distribution, transmission, and end-user consumption across industrial, residential, buildings, transportation, and other applications.
Deep technical expertise in one or more relevant domains, such as electric power systems and markets, smart buildings, or data centers.
Strong experience with advanced modeling, simulation, and experimental approaches, including optimization, equilibrium modeling, and agent-based methods.
Demonstrated skill managing large-scale energy systems analysis programs and ensuring quality projects are completed on time and within budget.
In-depth skills in team leadership, personnel development, and interpersonal relationships.
Ability to identify new research areas, develop and market proposals, and negotiate with sponsors.
Skilled oral and written communication at all levels of the organization.
Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

Nice To Haves

Onsite presence is preferred.

Responsibilities

Set strategic direction and grow the department’s research portfolio in alignment with DOE and Argonne priorities.
Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams, building technical excellence and organizational capabilities.
Provide technical leadership for advanced modeling, simulation, and analytical tools for electric power systems.
Develop and manage large, complex programs and partnerships with government, industry, and academic stakeholders.
Ensure high-quality, impactful research is delivered on time and within budget.
Cultivate a culture of safety, integrity, respect, teamwork, and collaboration.
Manage technical staff, project planning and management, technical deliverables, and program development.
Identify research areas and opportunities and pursue funding from sponsors.
Lead the design, development, application, and transfer of energy systems analysis tools, methodologies, databases, and decision-making information.
Collaborate across Argonne and with DOE program offices, national laboratories, universities, and industry partners.
Assess individuals’ technical capabilities and match individuals to tasks.
Develop and market proposals and negotiate with sponsors.