Operations Research Scientist

Consolidated Nuclear Security•Oak Ridge, TN

About The Position

The Operations Research Scientist develops analytical solutions for complex operational challenges, including discrete-event simulation models, optimization studies, and predictive analytics. The role works with stakeholders to define project requirements and scope, designs and executes experiments, builds greenfield and brownfield models, and develops, validates, and maintains models and decision-support tools for ongoing operational use. Applications include facility layout, production flows, capacity planning, logistics, scheduling, sequencing, inventory management, and resource allocation. The position integrates and cleanses data from enterprise systems such as SAP and MES, conducts statistical analysis and predictive modeling, and presents findings to stakeholders and management using visualization tools. The scientist contributes to Y-12's Factory Digital Twin and collaborates with engineers, planners, quality personnel, production teams, data scientists, and visualization experts. The role is part of the Manufacturing Modeling and Analytics team and supports CNS Y-12's mission-critical operations and organizational transformation efforts.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
Eight or more years of education and/or relevant experience may be considered to satisfy the educational and years-of-experience requirements for this posting.
Ability to obtain and maintain an appropriate security clearance, including a Department of Energy Q clearance.
Ability to work effectively across organizational levels, from the production floor to executive leadership.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to translate business problems into quantitative models.
Strong communication, teamwork, and stakeholder engagement skills; ability to derive project requirements through interviews with cross-functional team members.
Ability to pass required pre-placement physical, drug screening, and background investigation.
U.S. citizenship is required for security clearance applicants.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or Ph.D. in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or a related field.
Bachelor's degree in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
Experience with discrete-event simulation, optimization, or statistical analysis.
Proficiency with simulation software such as Simio, Arena, AnyLogic, FlexSim, or ExtendSim, and/or optimization tools such as Gurobi or CPLEX.
Experience with Python, R, MATLAB, or similar analytical software.
Ability to extract, manipulate, and analyze data from databases using SQL or similar query languages.
Experience with Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, or other data visualization software.
Five or more years of experience with discrete-event simulation platforms.
Two or more years of experience with mathematical optimization methods and solvers.
Two or more years of programming experience with Python, R, MATLAB, or similar analytical languages.
Two or more years of experience with data visualization tools.
Working knowledge of ERP systems, preferably SAP/S4, and manufacturing execution systems (MES).
Experience leading data integration efforts, Web API development, or ETL workflow design.
Familiarity with manufacturing systems, production scheduling, constraints modeling, or operations management.
Experience with digital transformation initiatives, digital twins, or advanced manufacturing analytics.
Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma, continuous improvement methodologies, or statistical process control.
Familiarity with VV&A (Verification, Validation & Accreditation) standards for model credibility.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional technical or engineering projects.
Experience in manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, or defense/national security environments.

Responsibilities

Interact with stakeholders to define requirements and scope for complex analytical projects, including simulation, optimization, and predictive analytics initiatives.
Develop end-to-end analytical solutions using simulation platforms, optimization solvers, and programming languages.
Design and execute experiments to test scenarios, optimize resource allocation, and evaluate operational strategies.
Build greenfield and brownfield models for facility layout, production flows, capacity planning, and logistics optimization.
Develop, validate, and maintain analytical models and decision-support tools for operational use.
Apply mathematical optimization to scheduling, sequencing, inventory management, and resource allocation problems.
Integrate and cleanse enterprise data using SQL, APIs, and ETL workflows to support accurate, reliable models.
Conduct statistical analysis and predictive modeling to forecast demand, identify trends, and quantify operational uncertainty.
Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders and management using visualization tools.
Contribute to the development of Y-12's Factory Digital Twin to support real-time analysis and prescriptive decision-making.
Develop understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain dynamics, and operational constraints.
Collaborate with engineers, planners, quality personnel, production facilities, data scientists, and visualization experts.
Help develop data-driven narratives for upper management and advance the analytical foundation of CNS Y-12 operations.