Nuclear Systems Performance and Integration Group Lead
About The Position
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is seeking a technical leader to lead its Nuclear Systems Performance and Integration (NSPI) Group within the Nuclear Science and Engineering Division of the Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate. The multidisciplinary group works to improve the performance of the existing nuclear reactor fleet, advance next-generation reactor technologies, and enable integration of nuclear energy with broader energy and industrial systems. Its capabilities include reactor thermal hydraulics, plant systems analysis, computational fluid dynamics, multiphysics modeling, digital twins, and integrated energy-system simulation. The Group Lead will manage approximately 10–12 research and technical staff, establish a research vision, develop and execute a diversified R&D portfolio, and foster a collaborative, high-performing research environment. The role includes direct staff supervision, hiring as needed, performance management, and career development. The successful candidate will advance predictive modeling and engineering analysis for nuclear power generation, plant modernization, operational flexibility, and energy-system integration.
Requirements
- Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in mathematics, computational science, nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline.
- Relevant experience: at least 6 years with a PhD, 12 years with a master's degree, or 15 years with a bachelor's degree.
- Demonstrated experience leading R&D teams.
- Must be qualified for access to export-controlled technology without an export control license.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card and pass a Federal Tier 1 background investigation.
- A Real ID-compliant form of identification is required for employment at ORNL.
Nice To Haves
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Motivated self-starter able to work independently and contribute creatively to collaborative teams across the laboratory.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced research environment, prioritize multiple tasks to meet deadlines, and adapt to changing needs.
Responsibilities
- Lead research initiatives to improve the performance, reliability, safety, flexibility, and economic competitiveness of the existing nuclear reactor fleet, including power uprates, operating-margin assessments, fuel-cycle optimization, and plant modernization.
- Provide strategic and technical leadership for an R&D portfolio spanning reactor thermal hydraulics, nuclear plant performance, advanced reactor systems, computational multiphysics, digital twins, and integrated energy systems.
- Advance the development, validation, and application of engineering modeling and simulation tools, including CTF, VERA, SAM, TRACE, TRANSFORM, CFD, and related computational methods.
- Promote integration of digital twins, operational data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, reduced-order models, and uncertainty quantification to improve predictive capabilities and operational decision-making.
- Develop and execute a sustainable, strategically aligned research portfolio that builds on the group's technical strengths and pursues emerging mission opportunities.
- Lead approximately 10–12 research and technical staff and foster a collaborative, high-performing research environment.
- Set performance expectations, provide constructive feedback, conduct employee performance evaluations, and support individual career development.
- Serve as immediate supervisor for group staff and hire staff as needed.
- Align behaviors, priorities, and interactions with ORNL's values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service, and foster a respectful workplace that promotes equal opportunity.
Benefits
- Competitive pay and benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours.
- Prescription drug plan.
- Dental plan.
- Vision plan.
- 401(k) retirement plan.
- Contributory pension plan.
- Life insurance.
- Disability benefits.
- Vacation and holidays.
- Parental leave.
- Legal insurance with identity theft protection.
- Employee assistance plan.
- Flexible spending accounts.
- Health savings accounts.
- Wellness programs.
- Educational assistance.
- Relocation assistance for certain positions; domestic and international assistance may be available.
- Employee discounts.
- On-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
