Project Manager

Date: Aug 31, 2026

Location: Oak Ridge, TN, US, 37830

Company: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Requisition Id 17020 

 

Overview:

We are seeking a Project Manager who will focus on strategic development and outreach, while working directly with critical staff and partners to evolve our collaborative research portfolio. This position resides in the Defense Manufacturing Program Office (DMPO) in the National Security Science Directorate, NSSD at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). 

 

The National Security Science Directorate, NSSD, Defense Manufacturing Program Office (DMPO) leads a large portfolio of applied research and development projects and programs centered around additive manufacturing, qualification/certification, additive manufacturing feedstocks, carbon fiber and composites, caron-carbon materials, machining, data analytics, metrology, flexible automation and systems research. Successful candidates will work across our research portfolio working with our sponsors, staff and laboratory leadership. 

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Strategic Development and Outreach
    • Work directly with critical staff and partners to evolve ORNL collaborative research portfolio to target national security and energy needs.
    • Maintain and continue to develop relationships with senior leadership and key collaborators, including multiple Project sponsors from the Department of War. 
    • Work directly with staff to deliver on existing R&D projects and the associated reporting. 
  • Leadership
    • Support the ORNL manufacturing teams, ensuring exemplary project delivery. 
    • Collaborate with ORNL leadership to develop project engagement strategies. Develop and implement strategic resource plans for existing Projects. 
    • All team members deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success. 
  • Project Management
    • Lead the identification and implementation of project management processes, methods, tools, guidelines and standards to establish a stable framework that supports all project teams and partners to improve the probability of successful project delivery. 
    • Track all project costs and provide written and verbal reports to project sponsors. Make decisions concerning project and project spending, within project parameters and guidelines. 
    • Facilitate collaboration and best-practice sharing. 
    • Regularly review and evaluate opportunities to improve the project management best practices to achieve higher maturity in manufacturing projects. 
    • Responsible for creating and maintaining the project controls policies, procedures and systems/tools that facilitate the successful development and maintenance of multiple projects in the National Security Sciences Directorate, including: 
    • Project work breakdown structure (WBS) and dictionary 
    • Summary and detailed, logic driven, resource loaded schedules 
    • Summary and detailed cost estimates, actual costs and accrual integration, risk identification and management, and change control 
    • Develop, present, and reinforce project management process and systems training for all applicable project staff 
    • Prepare, support, and lead various project reviews, including internal and external project status reviews 

 

Basic Qualifications:

  • BS in a science, engineering, or related field, and three (3) years of relevant experience.
  • Experience in applied R&D project management and/or business/industry. 
  • Demonstrated experience leading diverse teams. 
  • Must be able to learn at a high level the technical area that is supported. 
  • Project management skills and experience, plus significant knowledge of project planning tools with evidence of practical application.
  • Possess an advanced level of knowledge in office computer systems and software applications (e.g., Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat). 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Understanding of current and emerging manufacturing technologies. 
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, along with an ability to work effectively adapt to management of competing project priorities. 
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory. 
  • Must be able to learn ORNL financial and procurement systems and work in them at an expert level.
  • Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within given timeframes, and adapt to constantly evolving needs. 
  • Working knowledge or ability to learn PowerBI, Excel Power Query, and Excel Power Pivot 

 

Special Requirements:

  • Visa sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
  • Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements: Q Clearance with SCI: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing. 

 

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

 

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added 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.

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.


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