Head of Computer Engineering
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
United States

Overview: 

We are seeking a Section Head for the Advanced Computing Methods for Engineered Systems (ACMES)  Section in the Computational Sciences and Engineering Division (CSED). CSED focuses on transdisciplinary computational science and analytics at scale that leverage computational resources to enable scientific discovery across various domains. CSED hosts four sections with focus areas in the physical sciences, engineered systems, quantum information sciences, and health sciences.

The ACMES Section develops a wide variety of tools aimed at improving understanding of complex phenomena and the deployment of large-scale engineering systems. These include performance-portable applications and algorithms for coupled physics simulations at scale, as well as high-fidelity modeling and numerical tools for fluid dynamics and complex flow physics, multimodal sensing and pioneering algorithms for signal processing, computational platforms for sensing and sensor data aggregation. The groups within ACMES are:

1. Multiphysics Modeling and Flows – develops high-fidelity modeling and numerical tools for fluid dynamics, multiphase and reacting flows, fluid structure interactions, computational mechanics, and shockwave propagation.
2. Scalable Engineering Applications – develops and applies novel scalable algorithms and numerical methods to deliver multi-physics simulation codes for scientific applications on leadership class supercomputers.
3. Computational Coupled Physics – develops high-fidelity simulation tools, artificial intelligence-driven methods, and libraries for performance portability for applications in materials and advanced manufacturing. 
4. Autonomous and Complex Systems – develops and deploys disruptive computing technologies at the edge and high-performance networking technologies to enable distributed signal processing and sensor data aggregation.
5. Computational Systems Engineering and Cybernetics - drives state of the art in the model-based systems engineering towards design, analysis, and construction of complex, cyber-physical systems.
6. Computational Urban Sciences Group – advances multi-disciplinary research at the intersection of computing and complex urban systems in the emerging environment of sustainability, climate change, and resilience.

The ACMES Section Head will provide Research and Development (R&D) leadership to solve outstanding scientific and engineering challenges by developing and applying advanced computational science and engineering techniques along with utilizing leadership-class computing to domain applications of national importance. The ACMES Section Head will work closely with the Division Director and the Group Leaders within the section to establish and implement the science and technology directions for the section; support the Group Leaders to ensure their success and the success of the R&D groups as world-recognized leaders in their fields.

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science 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 7,000 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.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership

• Work closely with the Division Director and Group Leaders within the section to develop a vision and implement a strategy to pursue world-leading science and technology directions for the section. Demonstrate cross-functional team leadership.
• Engage with internal and external partners including national labs, academia, and industry to drive next generation technology roadmaps.
• Actively contribute to shaping the division’s, directorate’s, and laboratory’s research plans and investments.
• Build strong teams by collaborating across ORNL and securing external expertise when needed. Leverage ORNL facilities and resources when developing new projects.
• Work with the Group Leaders and the Division Director to assess and calibrate individual staff performance across the section. Evaluate progress regularly, by providing feedback and addressing performance issues in a timely manner.
• Develop and implement Succession Planning with input from Group Leaders for all critical positions in the section to ensure future success.
• Ensure groups are recruiting and hiring from a diverse pool of top candidates who are committed to world-class research and aspire to be the best in their field. Approve job offers.
• Lead by example, using the principles in ORNL’s “Research Code of Conduct” as a guide for proposing, performing, and communicating research when dealing with others.
• Employ best practices, such as holding regular meetings, being visible in the workplace, monitoring budgets, acknowledging sponsors, and adhering to ORNL business systems requirements regarding staff requests for foreign travel and submission of quality proposals.
• Coach and mentor staff regarding Battelle’s “Safe Conduct of Research” principles and ensure all work is carried out safely, securely, and in compliance with ORNL policies, standards, and procedures.

Service

• Serve as direct supervisor for section Group Leaders.
• Counsel/consult/mentor staff and transfer knowledge of specialized field(s) to a variety of staff, including senior staff.
• Connect staff to your network. Assist Group Leaders (and R&D staff when appropriate) in setting long-term career goals. Identify additional mentors as appropriate and engage senior staff to act in this capacity.
• Be open and transparent in communicating information to the groups and communicate staff achievements and changes to stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Work with Group Leaders to ensure staff are participating actively in professional service (engagement in scientific societies, workshop and conference organization, peer review, advisory board membership, etc.).
• Advocate for and support internal and external recognition of staff achievements. Ensure the Section’s external professional presence is strong.
• Communicate funding/proposal opportunities to staff and support proposal development as appropriate (mentoring, proposal reviews, budget preparation, etc.).
• Ensure that staff manage their research projects effectively to deliver results on scope, schedule, and budget while meeting scientific, technical, and business expectations.
• Effectively communicate the importance of protecting proprietary or sensitive information and complying with ORNL cybersecurity policies and guidelines.
• Recognize and support the contributions and responsibilities of Group Leaders and Laboratory Space Managers to lab safety.

Accountabilities:

• To section staff, for the quality and safety of their work environment and opportunity for professional growth.
• To organization managers, for world-leading science and technology directions, safe effective, and compliant operations, ownership of assigned staff, facilities, and equipment, and the quality of products and services.
• To customers, for the quality of products and service.

Authorities:

• Develop a vision and implement a strategy to pursue world-leading science and technology directions for the section.
• Hold Group Leaders and staff accountable for their performance.
• Act to ensure safe and effective operations.
• Hire Group Leaders and staff.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in computational science; electrical engineering; mechanical engineering; nuclear engineering; applied math, or related disciplines, with over 15 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in leading R&D teams.
• Demonstrated ability: (i) working with simulation-driven complex systems engineering, (ii) using high performance computing systems, (iii) developing scientific software, and (iv) designing and assessing computational algorithms and numerical methods for large-scale simulations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing research projects dealing with computational and engineering technologies at the largest scales of computing and data and/or in collaboration with other technical domains.
• Demonstrated leadership of science and technology initiatives in the national laboratory, industry, or academic context, including leadership of funded projects.
• Professional and scientific recognition and awards for excellence in science.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-lab, multi-institution scientific initiatives.
• Demonstrated expertise in scalable computational methods, algorithms, and parallel codes for complex  domain applications.
• Experience writing successful R&D proposals to multiple government agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with senior levels of client management and others involved in technical endeavors.
• Demonstrated ability to write research plans, technical reports to sponsors, and proposals and to develop and execute on a vision for future research relevant to modeling and simulation.
• Successful record of developing research partnerships and collaborative relationships with universities, industry, and research laboratories.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently, function in fast-paced environment, outstanding written and oral communication skills, and good organizational skills.

Special Requirements: 

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. Ability to access technology that is subject to export control requirements and to sensitive projects. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.
• This position is a Workplace Substance Abuse program (WSAP) testing designed position which requires passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program in which employees are subject to being randomly selected for testing. The occupant of this position will also be subject to an ongoing requirement to report to ORNL any drug-related arrest or conviction or receipt of a positive drug test result.

Benefits at ORNL:  

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.