Mission Assurance and Systems Integration Group Leader

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cyber Resilience and Intelligence Division (CRID) in the National Security Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a senior engineer to lead a world-class applied research and development group. The Mission Assurance and Systems Integration Group (MASI) provides end-to-end leadership to the Division to ensure complex technical efforts are planned, executed, and delivered in a manner that meets mission objectives, operational constraints, and stakeholder expectations. The group partners closely with collaborators, customers, program sponsors, operators, and technical collaborators within CRID and beyond to translate mission needs into clear requirements, integrated system concepts, and executable project plans, while maintaining transparency on scope, schedule, cost, and risk. The group’s work emphasizes disciplined project management and mission assurance practices, including integrated master planning, dependency and risk management, configuration and interface control, experimental planning and execution, and readiness reviews. It designs and coordinates experiments, tests, and evaluations that are technically rigorous and operationally relevant, addressing institutional and compliance considerations such as human-subjects research approvals, safety and security requirements, data handling, and ethical use. The group manages resources and budgets, aligns test plans and success metrics to mission outcomes, and ensures results are communicated effectively through briefings, reports, and stakeholder engagements—supporting timely decisions and successful transition of capabilities into operational environments. The group leader will oversee the group’s agenda, will recruit and hire new staff that will enable execution of the group mission, will lead the effort to respond to new funding opportunities, and will guide the ongoing growth and development of the research staff that will carry out that R&D agenda. The group leader will also work with members, group leaders, principal investigators and program managers to ensure that programs and projects within CRID are staffed and executed.

Requirements

An MS in system engineering, or a related field.
At least 10 years of experience in product development, programmatic execution, or other comparable experience particularly with respect to national security research or a complementary field.
Expertise should complement the purpose and mission of the group as described above.
Experience writing successful R&D proposals, research plans, and engaging government agencies to capture sponsored research programs.
Experience managing medium/large research projects and presenting project results.
Experience managing/mentoring students or researchers and recruiting new staff.
Experience serving as Principal Investigator or equivalent leadership position for one or more Department of Energy projects or programs

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and experience with managing personnel across multiple organizations such as directorates or national laboratories.
Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with senior levels of client management and others involved in technical and managerial endeavors.
A successful record of developing and/or maintaining partnerships and collaborative relationships with universities, industry, and research laboratories.
Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently, outstanding written and oral communication skills, good organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Oversee high quality applied research in various domains related to national security.
Collaborate with application scientists inside and outside of the laboratory to advance the mission of the group, laboratory, and sponsors such as DOD, IC, DHS, DOE, and other agencies that support the national security mission.
Manage experimental execution and planning as part of the group
Develop programmatic and planning aspects of new research proposals as a basis of continued support of the national security mission and the overall health of the division.
Manage staff within the group, including the retention of highly qualified staff; the development of staff capabilities; and ensuring that staff members are effectively utilized, rewarded, and motivated.
Mentor less experienced staff in developing ideas and proposals, developing and executing a research plan, and presenting results.
Represent group-level work to review committees and outside bodies as appropriate.
Manage the group budget.
Provide leadership in all areas of ES&H and full implementation of integrated safety management in the group.