Senior Technical Specialist - Distinguished Research Scientist

Requisition Id 13295 

Overview:  

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

 

Purpose: 

We are seeking an experienced and seasoned scientist to technically and programmatically guide a team of researchers developing solutions for thermal protection systems. Responsibilities of this position include advisory function to the Chief Manufacturing Officer, mentorship of a team focused on development and scale-up of relevant technologies, collaborating with national security programs, services, suppliers and working groups, assuming responsibility for planning, execution and reporting of critical programs. This role provides direct assistance and direction to program and project leads tasked with planning and delivering on national security efforts.

 

Interaction and coordination across multiple directorates and facilities, including the Carbon Fiber Technology Facility, Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, Multipurpose Research Facility and others is essential for this role to deliver maximum research impact.  This position reports to the CMO of ORNL and resides within the National Security Sciences Directorate (NSSD) at ORNL.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Guide research and provide advice in the areas of carbon-carbon composite production,
• high cadence composite manufacturing, and  oxidized pan fiber and carbon fiber manufacturing.
• Provide advice and experience in the execution of national security programs.
• Build relationships and collaborate with program sponsors.
• Develop and implement plans to ensure successful teaming with national security sponsors.
• Prepare and present periodic reports documenting research and development.
• Develop and contribute to strategic planning documents.
• Provide technical solutions including simulations, technical drawing and engineering support.
• Generate estimates, time tables and plans for projects and programs.
• Mentor ORNL researchers technically and programmatically.
• Work with others to encourage a high level of scientific productivity.
• Some travel for business engagements required.
• Maintain strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of ORNL values.
• All team members deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.
• Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Mechanical, Chemical, Ceramic Engineering or related field and 12 years of relevant experience.
• Candidate must have an active TS/SCI  security clearance.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15 years experience in the processing and manufacturing of carbon materials including pitches, fibers, foams, and carbon-carbon composite