Advanced Manufacturing and Automation, Group Manager

Leadership Competencies

Technical credibility — strong, current expertise in materials, manufacturing processes, robotics, or advanced sensing and controls, with the breadth to engage knowledgeably across the group's full portfolio.

People leadership — ability to recruit talent, develop researchers into technical leaders, create psychological safety, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Portfolio and maturity-stage judgment — ability to prioritize across fundamental science, custom equipment development, and fielded systems, and to select the right facility and partner for each stage of work.

Collaborative matrix leadership — skill in working through peer relationships across ESE's other groups, Advanced Engineering and other SRNL organizations, and DOE program offices, navigating ambiguity, and building alignment without direct authority.

Business and operational acumen — comfort with budgets, metrics, and performance management; ability to connect resources to outcomes.

External relationship building — ability to establish trust and credibility with DOE sponsors, industry, and university partners; skill in translating relationships into funded work.

Founding-group mindset — comfort building structures, processes, and norms for a group still taking shape, and documenting decisions and rationale for those who come after.

Integrity and unwavering commitment to safety — personal integrity that sets the tone for the group; zero tolerance for shortcuts on safety, quality, or ethical conduct, particularly in radiological and other high-consequence environments.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in materials science and engineering, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, robotics, or a closely related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

• Significant progressive experience in manufacturing, materials, or automation research and research leadership, including direct management or mentorship of technical staff. Minimum 7+ years of relevant experience.

• Deep technical credibility in at least one core domain — advanced or additive manufacturing, materials and process–structure–property research, robotics and automation, or advanced sensing and controls — with the intellectual breadth to engage across adjacent domains.

• Demonstrated commitment to and accountability for safety in a research environment, including work in radiological, secure, or other high-consequence settings; experience in such settings is a plus.

• Track record of developing technical talent and cultivating the next generation of research leaders.

• Proven ability to work effectively in matrix environments, partnering with peer leaders and sponsors to align direction and execute missions.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to represent the group credibly to sponsors, DOE leadership, external partners, and internal staff.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a DOE national laboratory, federal research environment, or comparable mission-driven research organization.

• Direct research or applied experience in one or more of: additive manufacturing, materials-to-process translation, robotics or remote/automated operations in radiological or hazardous environments, adaptive/intelligent processing systems, or critical-material processing.

• Experience with AI- or data-driven manufacturing process optimization or qualification.

• Experience building and cultivating strategic partnerships with industry, universities, and other national laboratories.

• Track record of growing a research portfolio and securing external funding, including competitive proposals and industry-sponsored work.

• Experience contributing to or standing up a new group, program, or research area within a larger organization.