Job Description (show details...)

Summary

Translates national needs into technological objectives and goals for 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 specific operating conditions. Recognized as an advanced technical expert in area of specialization or with expertise crossing several technical areas. Serves as a discipline authority 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. Integrates broad scientific/technical/engineering knowledge across disciplines and/or people to develop specialized, state-of-the-art engineering and scientific principles, theories, and concepts to provide solutions for an extensive and diverse range of complex and/or ambiguous problems where analysis requires in-depth evaluation of intangibles. 
4. Contributes to large-scale technical projects to solve national/international technology grand challenges. Sets or approves technical approach for solving problems and meeting client needs. Determines and pursues courses of action necessary to obtain desired results.
5. Develops innovative advanced concepts, theories, methods, techniques and approaches to address specialized problems. Influences industry standards and procedures and guides their application to projects and programs.  Identifies, promotes, and develops new technical capabilities within division.
6. Serves as primary author of technical products such as journal papers, reports, presentations, and concept papers intended for Complex-wide/national audiences. Develops intellectual property leading to publications, copyrights, and/or patents. May contribute to technology transfer.
7. Influences division, product line, and/or directorate strategies and directions. Leads technical decision-making at major project level. Makes decisions and/or recommendations that guide the successful completion of major programs.
8. Develops and implements project management plans for moderate to large high-risk projects. Leads the development of scope, schedule, and budget and defines deliverables at project or program level. Manages moderate to large, complex and/or high-risk projects, involving multiple tasks, capabilities, and organizations.
9. Actively participates in professional societies, National Nuclear Security Administration complex interactions, special assignments, and/or external collaborations. Organizes internal/external working groups, meetings, and colloquia.
10. Leads peer review across organizations or disciplines and participates in external peer review. 
11. Serves as technical resource and mentor to staff across the division. Leads mentoring and training for technical staff.
12. Develops and implements plans for new and significant project development opportunities. Leads development of technical section of large, complex proposals. Acquires internal/external funding for self and others.
13. Collaborates as expert to developments in industry and influences the development of new skills consistent with state-of-the-art. Establishes technological qualifications for 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

• Advanced 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.
• Advanced knowledge of and experience in designing, planning, and executing research and development projects. 
• Advanced knowledge of and experience with application of the scientific method and with discipline-relevant standards for the ethical conduct of research.
• Thorough knowledge of and experience in implementing Laboratory policies affecting research and development activities, projects, and/or initiatives.
• Thorough 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, monitors, and redirects the work of post-docs and technical staff to achieve predetermined long-range goals.  Provides technical direction to diverse teams for Laboratory-wide initiatives. 

C. Contacts

• Position typically requires ability to build effective, intellectually diverse teams and to interact with Laboratory- and complex-wide networks. Represents the Laboratory to external agencies. 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.