Group Leader, Grid Communications & Security

Requisition Id 14389 

Overview: 

We are seeking an experienced engineer/scientist senior researcher to lead the Grid Communications & Security (GCS) group within the Energy Sensing, Analytics and Communications Section of the Electrification and Energy Infrastructure Division (EEID) at the Energy Science and Technology Directorate (ESTD) of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This role focuses on investigating and deploying sensors, systems, communications for a variety of applications.  As the R&D Group Leader, you will oversee a highly skilled team with the primary goal of achieving global scientific and engineering leadership in grid related applications. Your responsibilities will include maintaining current programs, establishing relationships, writing proposals, and developing new research areas to strengthen capabilities. You will lead an organization with a strong service component and will be expected to build research and development initiatives to create novel methods, innovative measurement devices, and advanced applied sciences and engineering methodologies to address complex challenges.

In this role, you will also support a variety of ORNL projects and programs, including uncrewed aerial systems’ initiatives, integrated systems research, and development of such systems tailored for grid related applications. You will lead projects aimed at developing instruments and measurement methodologies to address risks and deficiencies. Your work will be pivotal in advancing the group’s capabilities in the analysis of a variety of areas. Additionally, you will champion ORNL’s culture of safety and scientific excellence, foster staff development, and scale up their impact on projects. Working closely with the section head and other group leaders, you will implement the group’s scientific vision, improve quality systems and continually enhance the group’s programs and capabilities. The ideal candidate will be a subject matter expert in sensors, data analytics and communications.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a cohesive group research strategy to ensure the success of new and ongoing projects and position the group for future success.
• Participate in or lead the initiation of new research directions and the development of research proposals to secure internal and external funding.
• Lead collaborations with other scientists and technical personnel in a fast-paced, flexible work environment.
• Attract and hire a diverse pool of high-quality candidates committed to world-class R&D and aspiring to be leaders in their field.
• Assist staff in setting performance goals aligned with the group’s strategy and members’ long-term career goals and provide timely feedback on performance issues.
• Oversee the technical quality of the group’s products and services.
• Provide input to support with staff development and offer direct, impactful mentorship regularly.
• Lead by example according to ORNL’s “Research Code of Conduct” for proposing, performing, and communicating research.
• Ensure all work is carried out safely, securely, and in compliance with ORNL’s ESH&Q policies, standards, and procedures.
• Enhance the group's reputation and standing through collaboration, Professional Society leadership, and organizing technical events.
• Maintain effective communication about scientific efforts both internally and externally, including publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific meetings.
• Travel as required to brief sponsors, conduct field exercises, and attend scientific conferences.
• Align behaviors, priorities, and interactions with ORNL’s core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace.
• Collaborate with staff to address novel and complex technical issues.
• Perform and guide implementation and performance determinations of sensors, systems, and networks.
• Independently operate a suite of communications instruments.
• Conduct laboratory tests to develop, modify, and refine operational and experimental procedures.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in electrical engineering, computer science, computer engineering, or a related field and at least 7 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience leading R&D and/or technical teams.
• Experience with RF signals and wireless networks
• Experience with power grid disturbance signal analysis
• Experience in sensor development
• Expertise in the knowledge, use, and troubleshooting of embedded systems HW and SW.
• Expertise in the knowledge and use of signal processing applications and communications performance measuring instrumentation.
• A background in productive and creative research efforts, exemplified by peer-reviewed IEEE Journal publications.
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in the knowledge, of systems engineering, electrical development and implementation techniques.
• Demonstrated collaborative research experience in academic, industry, or government agencies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

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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.