Group Manager – Scalable Algorithms, Modeling, and Simulation

National Laboratory of the Rockies•Golden, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth. At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being. The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is seeking an accomplished leader for the role of group manager within the Computational Science Center (CSC) with foci on Scalable Algorithms, Modeling, and Simulation. NLR’s Computational Science Center conducts research to advance the science of computing across advanced computer science, visualization, data science, AI/ML, applied math, and computational science, as well as providing computing expertise to the NLR community and staffing for project execution. The core mission of the Scalable Algorithms, Modeling, and Simulation (SAMS) group is at the intersection of applied mathematics and computational science for research; it includes basic and applied research in numerical methods, algorithms, and simulation code capability to address challenges in a wide variety of fluid flow regimes, including both internal and external flows in support of the NLR mission. The SAMS group is a broad, multidisciplinary organization, containing key institutional capabilities in fluid mechanics, computer science, applied mathematics, and simulation science. Collaboration is at the heart of our work — our researchers partner with scientists across NLR to deeply understand their computational challenges and co-develop tailored solutions, including cross-cutting capabilities for fluid mechanics simulation that enables rapid progress and deployment in the NLR mission space. Reporting to the CSC Center Director, the Group Manager will oversee the SAMS group, driving excellence in organizational management and advancing strategic capabilities and programs that align with the center’s and NLR’s vision, strategy, and mission. As the manager of this group, the successful candidate will build on the capabilities established across this and other groups in the CSC. They will have the opportunity to shape the group’s strategic plan. The candidate will translate strategic plans into actionable execution, deliver value over time, and maintain an active role in technical contributions. Additionally, they will collaborate with center leadership to develop new programs and business lines, enhancing the group’s capabilities to further NLR’s mission. The position will require a combination of technical, managerial, and interpersonal skills. From a technical side, the manager will need to have a deep understanding of computational simulation concepts, such as scalable CFD discretization and algorithms, multiphysics/multiregime fluid modeling, linear and nonlinear solvers at scale, time integration and stability, geometry, meshing, and adaptation pipelines, high-performance computing and performance portability, and cross-domain co-design and impact. The candidate should have a record of scientific accomplishment and programmatic delivery in these areas. From a leadership perspective, the candidate must possess the ability to set and communicate a clear vision for the group’s goals and align them with broader institutional objectives. They must be proficient in managing complex, multidisciplinary projects, ensuring timely delivery, while adhering to budgets. The manager must also have experience in optimizing team resources, securing funding, and allocating computational assets effectively, foster a culture of innovation, and collaboration across a team with wide-ranging technical expertise, and be able to navigate organizational shifts, adopt new technologies, and adapt workflows to evolving needs. Additionally, a candidate must demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills including collaboration and stakeholder engagement, technical communication, conflict resolution, and mentorship and talent development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree and 9-years’ experience in technically related research discipline; Or, Master’s Degree and 7-years’ experience in technically related research discipline; Or, PhD and 4-years’ experience in technically related research discipline.
Previous management, budget development and/or significant leadership in an individual contributor role required.
Degree in appropriate field may be required.
Demonstrated skill in dealing with legal and ethical management issues and practices.
Broad and in-depth knowledge of the issues and best practices in the applicable field of expertise.
Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Passion for delivering on the practical realities of future computing, including novel computing paradigms, massive heterogeneity, and evolving software stacks, with science as the main driver.
Experience integrating AI/ML with simulation and modeling workflows and advancing AI-enabled computational science.
Demonstrated success in leading or contributing to proposal development and funding capture.
Strong analytical skills and creative thinking abilities.
Evidence of impactful ideas realized in code, publications, benchmarks, or deployed capabilities; willingness to iterate, learn from failure, and refine designs.
Track record of research and/or technology innovation in computational science or related discipline.
Ability to lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles, and values, both directly and through subordinate management.
Excellent customer and solution-oriented problem-solving skills.
Ability to lead and influence across organizational boundaries in a matrixed research environment.
Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships internally to NLR and externally with sponsors and research partners.
Ability to bridge gaps between domain language (engineering, science) and computing solution language.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent organization, project management, budgeting, interpersonal and communication skills.
Proven problem-solving and negotiation skills.
Ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles and values, both directly and through subordinate management.

Nice To Haves

Thought leadership in multi-disciplinary collaborations.
Past leadership accomplishments, including managing a multi-disciplinary team.
Understanding of energy systems and technologies, artificial intelligence, HPC, or other relevant fields aligning with NLR’s mission
Experience in business development and/or management across multiple sectors and diverse clients.
Exceptional leadership potential, including conceptual thinking ability; differentiated interpersonal, collaborative, and negotiating skills; ability to inspire and motivate personnel and model critical leadership skills and values; ability to engage effectively with both computational and analysis communities.
Initiative, creativity, and communication skills necessary to effectively propose new or expanded research efforts to the DOE as well as industrial and academic partners.
Preferred ability to obtain a DOE-sponsored security clearance.

Responsibilities

Provide vision, strategic planning, and leadership to the group and center around scalable algorithms, modeling, and simulation.
Work closely with other group managers to develop computational strategy writ large to address the NLR mission.
Keep up to date with advancements in technologies related to the focus of the SAMS group.
Develop strategic staffing plans and recruit world-class talent.
Hold regular team meetings to review strategic priorities, promote team cohesion, and provide growth paths for staff.
Effectively manage the group with respect to finances, performance reviews, and other administrative functions necessary for proper execution.
Actively support workforce development by providing coaching, mentoring, training, and other development opportunities for staff and managers.
Honor NLR’s employment opportunity, affirmative action, and anti-sexual-harassment programs, policies, and procedures.

Benefits

medical, dental, and vision insurance
short- and long-term disability insurance
pension benefits
403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match
life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
personal time off (PTO) and sick leave
paid holidays
tuition reimbursement
performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component
relocation expense reimbursement