Advanced Manufacturing and Automation, Group Manager

Savannah River National Laboratory•Aiken, SC

22d•Onsite

About The Position

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is seeking an accomplished and collaborative Group Manager to lead the Advanced Manufacturing and Automation group within the newly formed Energy Sciences and Engineering (ESE) Division. This group focuses on advancing the science and emerging technologies that will shape the next generation of manufacturing and industrial processing. It integrates materials science, manufacturing processes, robotics, advanced sensing, controls, and data to understand how these elements can be designed together for targeted performance. The research addresses high-consequence challenges, particularly in nuclear and radiological operations, critical-material processing, and other harsh or complex environments. The group's work spans fundamental process-structure-property relationships, custom experimental equipment, and robotic and adaptive processing systems. The Group Manager is responsible for ensuring the research portfolio is deep, rigorous, and aligned with the laboratory's mission, and for building pathways from scientific discovery to mission application. Reporting to the ESE Division Director, the Group Manager will steward, develop, and support the group's people, foster a thriving research environment, and execute technical work aligned with strategic direction. The role also involves cultivating external partnerships with DOE program offices, industry, and universities to connect the group's science to real mission needs and external investment. This position requires technical credibility across materials, manufacturing, and automation, a proven record of developing researchers, and the judgment to prioritize a diverse portfolio.

Requirements

Ph.D. in materials science and engineering, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, robotics, or a closely related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
Significant progressive experience in manufacturing, materials, or automation research and research leadership, including direct management or mentorship of technical staff.
Minimum 7+ years of relevant experience.
Deep technical credibility in at least one core domain — advanced or additive manufacturing, materials and process–structure–property research, robotics and automation, or advanced sensing and controls — with the intellectual breadth to engage across adjacent domains.
Demonstrated commitment to and accountability for safety in a research environment, including work in radiological, secure, or other high-consequence settings.
Track record of developing technical talent and cultivating the next generation of research leaders.
Proven ability to work effectively in matrix environments, partnering with peer leaders and sponsors to align direction and execute missions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to represent the group credibly to sponsors, DOE leadership, external partners, and internal staff.
Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a DOE national laboratory, federal research environment, or comparable mission-driven research organization.
Direct research or applied experience in one or more of: additive manufacturing, materials-to-process translation, robotics or remote/automated operations in radiological or hazardous environments, adaptive/intelligent processing systems, or critical-material processing.
Experience with AI- or data-driven manufacturing process optimization or qualification.
Experience building and cultivating strategic partnerships with industry, universities, and other national laboratories.
Track record of growing a research portfolio and securing external funding, including competitive proposals and industry-sponsored work.
Experience contributing to or standing up a new group, program, or research area within a larger organization.
Experience in radiological, secure, or other high-consequence settings is a plus.

Responsibilities

Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-caliber technical staff spanning materials, manufacturing and process engineering, robotics, sensing, and controls disciplines.
Identify and grow the next generation of technical leaders within the group.
Reinforce the division's operating culture, values, and norms around scientific rigor, collaboration, psychological safety, inclusion, and accountability at the group level.
Set the day-to-day tone for how the group works together.
Create an environment where researchers are supported, developed, and enabled to do their best work.
Manage performance, allocate staff and resources across the group's project portfolio, and make sound personnel and investment decisions.
Foster a strong safety culture and ensure all group work is planned and executed safely and in full compliance with environmental, safety, health, quality, and security requirements.
Work with the ESE Division Director to translate division and SRNL strategic priorities into the group's technical portfolio and resource allocation.
Steward the quality, rigor, and reputation of the group's work across its core domains — additive and advanced manufacturing methods, process–structure–property research, custom experimental equipment, and robotic and adaptive processing systems for harsh or complex environments.
Serve as a credible technical voice to sponsors, peers, and the external research community.
Work with Advanced Engineering and other SRNL organizations to build a connected pathway from scientific discovery and early experimentation through prototype development, technology maturation, and mission application.
Identify high-value manufacturing and automation opportunities that align with DOE mission needs, SRNL strategic priorities, and the group's distinctive capabilities.
Bring those opportunities forward to inform division and directorate strategy.
Partner directly with groups across SRNL to ensure the group's manufacturing, robotics, and automation expertise is embedded in the materials, fuel cycle, and computational work it depends on and supports.
Cultivate and steward strategic partnerships outside the Department of Energy — industry engagement, university collaborations, and national laboratory partnerships — that strengthen the group's technical capabilities and expand its funding base and impact.
Lead and mentor staff in building and deepening these external relationships.
Position the group as a credible, trusted manufacturing and automation partner to industry and academia.
Advance SRNL's standing and visibility in advanced manufacturing and intelligent automation through publications, presentations, professional leadership, and strategic external relationships.
Support the Division Director and Directorate in engaging DOE program offices relevant to the group's domains, and translate those relationships into a healthy, diversified project portfolio.
Manage the group's budget, financial performance, and equipment and infrastructure needs across its distributed set of research environments.
Ensure delivery of high-quality work products on scope, on schedule, and on budget.
Establish group-level metrics, reporting cadences, and accountability structures.
Track and communicate progress to the Division Director.
Work within the SRNL matrix structure to ensure alignment between group capabilities and program priorities; surface challenges and opportunities that should inform division and directorate strategic planning.