Program Manager IV

General Atomics•San Diego, CA

10h

About The Position

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. The DIII-D National Fusion Facility is the flagship for fusion research in the United States, serving as one of the most flexible and well diagnosed facilities in the world for conducting critical plasma science and technology research that closes gaps on fusion energy. We have an exciting opening to serve as Deputy Director to DIII-D National Fusion Facility. The DIII-D Deputy Director serves a lynchpin in both shaping and delivering the program. A major focus is placed on effective management of the large programs and projects at DIII-D, but equally important is to innovative in programmatic approach and technical capabilities of the facility itself, to accelerate the delivery of the program for fusion energy. Critical amongst these is to provide an environment for growth for DIII-D team members to engage, succeed, and gain the opportunities they need to fulfill their potential. This role provides key development opportunities for the successful applicant through large scale research management, development of innovative research strategies, and engagement with large team to deliver on fusion goals. The successful applicant will contribute strongly as a core part of the management team to developing the strategy for the facility, overseeing projects and processes to deliver the program, development of a range of plans and approaches, and serving as Deputy and principal advisor to the Director.

Requirements

Bachelors, Masters or PhD in engineering, science or a related technical field
Thirteen or more years of progressively complex program administration experience
Ability to assimilate large amounts of complex information, and maintain oversight and engagement on multiple simultaneous projects.
Ability to develop effective working relationships and trust with personnel to motivate them and ensure they understand tasks – at individual and team-wide levels.
Ability to listen.
Ability to think out of the box and creatively in developing innovative solutions.
Ability to communicate ideas through clear presentations and writing, and effective discussion.
Ability to respond quickly at times, synthesize information, take decisions, make and implement an effective plan, deploying staff to execute it.
Ability to negotiate with individuals and teams to build a collaborative agenda and finds a consensual solution.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with the DIII-D program or other similar programs, from the plasma science, engineering or technology perspectives is highly beneficial.
Familiarity with the tokamak approach and development path toward fusion as an energy solution is beneficial.
Previous experience at program or major project leadership in the fusion field is valuable.
Motivated people who wish to develop into this role.

Responsibilities

Serve as a key member of the DIII-D senior leadership team in shaping plans and overseeing their implementation to ensure DIII-D remains at the forefront of tokamak research, meets US strategic needs and delivers an outstanding program.
Advise on critical decisions, raise issues that need to be addressed, and help determine path forward, providing a critical sounding board to the Director.
Deputize for the Director as needed in representation to, and oversight of, the DIII-D team, including decision making on delegated areas.
Serve as a liaison to ensure strong relationship with DOE, representing the program, understanding their needs, reporting, and responding to requests, including on technical contractual issues.
Represent the facility at key national and international events and processes as needed.
Advise on concept development and internal studies for new capabilities and usage modes, sometimes leading projects to define them.
Outreach the program to new users, research lines and modes of exploitation, serving as an initial contact and with others, helping them develop ideas for new approaches.
Oversee compilation of proposals for funding with required technical documents and costings, working with professional budget, project and proposal specialists.
Oversee budgets and ensure effective planning of work with particular focus on integration of activities across involved divisions, ensuring plans stay on track or effective corrective actions are initiated to meet main deliverables on budget and scope.
Identify and put in place required processes and process improvement.
Coordinate marketing and communication activities of the facility, with support from marketing team, projects and individual personnel, and potentially drafting or reviewing DOE highlights, press releases, or events.
Foster development of a constructive workplace environment with opportunity for all, by ensuring appropriate programmatic mechanisms and feedback activities are in place and work well, working with Ombuds, DOE and DIII-D user bodies.
Working with General Atomics business service divisions, ensure DIII-D users are suitably supported and tracked for DOE reporting, with appropriate technical contacts and process (‘record of discussion’) to evaluate and cost new ideas.
If desired, the jobholder is encouraged to take a role in advancing DIII-D research, technology or other processes according to their interests.