Data and Software Engineering Group Lead

Requisition Id 11429 

Overview:

The Cyber and Applied Data Analytics division in the National Security Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a senior scientist to lead a world-class applied research and development group. The Data and Software Engineering Group includes data scientists and software engineers carrying out applied research and development for scalable machine learning-based platforms that enable domain experts to more effectively draw insights from large, heterogeneous, multi-modal data sets, such as those commonly encountered by the national security community. Examples of data of interest include signals, network traffic, multi-modal imagery, video, text, open-source data, and other sources of interest to the national security community. This group develops and employs the most effective solutions in scalable data management and analysis. The focus of the group’s projects is to deploy these solutions onto operational platforms to meet the needs of the national security mission. The group leader will oversee the group’s applied R&D 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.

 

Major Duties/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.
• Conduct state-of-the-art research as part of the group and publish results in journals, conferences, and technical reports.
• Develop new research proposals as a basis of continued support of the national security mission and the overall health of the group.
• Manage staff within the group, including retention, professional development, and ensuring that staff members are effectively engaged, rewarded, and motivated.
• Mentor less experienced staff in developing ideas and proposals, developing and executing a research plan, and presenting results.
• Recruit new researchers and engineers from high quality academic institutions and research organizations.
• 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.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• A  Ph.D. or Masters in Computer Science, Applied Math, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 6 years (for Ph.D.) or 12 years (for M.S.) of research and development experience in national security research or a complementary field.
• Expertise should complement the purpose and mission of the group as described above, including working knowledge of fundamental data and software engineering methods.
• 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 deploying complex software stacks to operational use.
• A proven publication record in the field of interest.

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience with the development and deployment of state-of-the art architectures for data management and analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with senior levels of client management and others involved in technical endeavors.
• A successful record of developing research 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.

 

Special Requirement:
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.  In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing.

 

Our Commitment to Diversity: 

As we strive to become the world’s premier research institution in the sciences and technologies that underpin critical national security missions, we are committ