Job Description (show details...)

Summary

Leads an extensive and diverse set of activities across multiple engineering disciplines  or within a narrow, highly specialized field in support of engineering research and development (R&D), which is defined as the creative application of scientific principles to research, design, or develop structures, instruments, machines, experiments, processes, theories or technologies; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under ambiguous operating conditions. Skilled professional with expertise crossing several technical areas or depth in a particular area is required. Serves as a technical leader in one or more discipline areas.

Job Duties

1. Safety and security are primary responsibilities for all Laboratory employees. Maintains required safety and security training and assures compliance; makes safety and security an integral part of every task. Takes steps to stop work if unsafe conditions exist or security is compromised. 
2. Adheres to engineering policies, programs, procedures and practices.
3. Applies and interprets, on a broad basis, specialized, state-of-the-art engineering and scientific principles, techniques, methods and tools to provide solutions for an extensive and diverse range of complex and/or ambiguous problems where analysis of situations or data requires in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
4. Leads the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of novel engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D initiatives.
5. Develops innovative advanced concepts, theories, methods, techniques and approaches to address specialized problems. May contribute to the development of industry standards. Develops new technical capabilities and creates opportunities to extend R&D engineering through the expansion of existing efforts.
6. Leads the development of technical products such as journal papers, reports, presentations, and concept papers.  Develops intellectual property leading to publications, copyrights, and/or patents. May contribute to technology transfer.
7. Influences organizational, project, and program strategies and directions. Leads technical decision-making at task level within a project. Makes decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives.
8. Uses project assignments to further organizational goals. Develops and implements project management plans, including scope, schedule, and budget, for small to moderate projects and/or major project tasks. Defines deliverables at the project or major task level. 
9. Actively participates in professional societies, National Nuclear Security Administration/Department of Energy Complex interactions, special assignments, and/or external collaborations. Participates in external working groups and/or assists in organizing meetings and colloquia.
10. Leads peer review of the work of others within his/her own organization and participates in peer review across organizations or disciplines. 
11. Enhances technical and professional expertise of junior staff through active mentoring and training. 
12. Contributes ideas for new proposals and business development opportunities. Leads development of technical section of small to moderate proposals. Acquires internal/external funding for self.
13. Contributes to developments in industry, and develops new skills consistent with state-of-the-art. Attains additional certifications, qualifications, and/or recognitions to grow in field.
14. Models a mutually respectful work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and that supports cooperation, teamwork, and resource sharing.

Job Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of and experience in one or more of the following engineering disciplines:  aerospace, biomedical, chemical, computational, electrical, mechanical, nuclear or other R&D engineering field.
• Thorough knowledge of and experience in designing, planning, and executing research and development projects. 
• Thorough knowledge of and experience with application of the scientific method and with discipline-relevant standards for the ethical conduct of research.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in implementing Laboratory policies affecting research and development activities, projects, and/or initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in implementing Laboratory objectives and other statements of policy, practice, and/or procedure.

Education

• Typical educational requirement is an advanced degree in engineering from an accredited college or university.

Direction

A. Supervision Received

• Receives nominal supervision on all but the most complex problems and solutions.  

B. Supervision Exercised

• Coordinates and monitors the work of junior staff, including post-docs, and peers.  Provides technical direction to diverse teams for organizational initiatives.

C. Contacts

• Position typically requires ability to build effective, intellectually diverse teams and to interact with directorate-wide networks.  Represents the Laboratory to external agencies in limited and defined capacities. Interacts routinely with Laboratory middle- and senior-level management.

This description is not intended to be a complete statement of every aspect of the position, but rather to act as a guide to the essential functions to be performed. Assigned functions of this job may vary, and other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or changed at the discretion of management.