Deputy Technical Director, Electron-Ion Collider

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is the site for the new Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a one-of-a-kind nuclear physics research facility. The EIC will be a discovery machine for unlocking the secrets of the “glue” that binds the building blocks of visible matter in the universe. The machine design is based on the existing and highly optimized RHIC Ion-Ion collider. It will consist of two intersecting accelerators, one producing an intense beam of electrons, the other a beam of protons or heavier atomic nuclei which are steered into collisions. Beyond sparking scientific discoveries in a new frontier of fundamental physics, the Electron-Ion Collider will trigger technological breakthroughs that have broad-ranging impact on human health and national challenges.

About the role

The EIC Deputy Technical Director reports to the EIC Technical Director and serves as the principal deputy responsible for supporting the Technical Director in all technical aspects of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) Project, including design, integration, construction, commissioning, and technical performance. The Deputy Technical Director oversees the Chief Systems Engineer and the Systems Engineering organization, providing leadership for systems engineering, technical integration, requirements management, interface control, and configuration management across all EIC project systems.

Working closely with Brookhaven National Laboratory, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, partner laboratories, and collaborating institutions, this position coordinates project-wide accelerator physics, technology, and engineering activities to ensure successful technical integration and design convergence. The Deputy Technical Director serves as one of key interfaces with the U.S. Department of Energy, Laboratory management, and external review bodies on matters of technical performance, readiness, and risk; acts on behalf of the Technical Director when delegated or in their absence; and serves as a member of the EIC Executive Management Team.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Technical Director in setting and maintaining an overall technical vision, strategy, and direction for the EIC project
• Support the Technical Director in providing technical leadership for the design, integration, construction, installation, commissioning, and operational readiness of the EIC Project
• Direct and oversee the EIC Systems Engineering organization, including direct supervision of the Chief Systems Engineer and indirect supervision of the Systems Engineering staff
• Oversee the planning, execution, and documentation of project technical reviews, including system, design, readiness, and acceptance reviews, to ensure compliance with DOE requirements and project standards
• Facilitate technical integration and design convergence across the accelerator, detector, and conventional facilities subsystems, ensuring that cross-system dependencies and interfaces are identified and managed
• Support implementation and maintenance of the EIC technical baseline through systems engineering, requirements management, interface control, and configuration management processes
• Identify, evaluate, and resolve technical risks and integration issues in collaboration with project leadership, System Managers, and engineering teams
• Coordinate technical activities among Brookhaven National Laboratory, Jefferson Lab, partner laboratories, universities, and international collaborators to ensure successful execution of the EIC technical scope
• Support preparation for DOE project reviews, including Critical Decision milestones and Accelerator Readiness Reviews, ensuring technical documentation and engineering readiness requirements are satisfied
• Serve as a member of the EIC Change Control Board, providing technical evaluation and recommendations for proposed engineering changes and technical baseline modifications
• Provide technical leadership and engineering input to project planning, technical basis of estimate development, risk management, and project cost, schedule, and performance reporting
• Represent the Technical Director in project reviews, technical meetings, and interactions with DOE and external stakeholders as delegated, and act on behalf of the Technical Director when required
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing culture

Requirements

• Master's degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical discipline
• Twelve (12) years of related experience, including at least eight (8) years of progressively responsible technical leadership experience managing multidisciplinary engineering or scientific organizations
• Experience leading the technical execution of large, complex scientific, engineering, or accelerator projects/programs is required
• Demonstrated knowledge of particle accelerators, colliders, and all associated technologies
• Experience coordinating and/or leading international multidisciplinary teams and technical activities across multiple organizations and institutions
• Demonstrated knowledge of design, technical risk management, and project execution for complex scientific or technical facilities
• Excellent presentation, written, and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage, motivate, direct, and lead effectively among a diverse group of scientific, engineering, technical, and administrative personnel
• Demonstrated commitment to working safely, acting ethically, and taking personal accountability for operational excellence

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification as Project Management Professional
• National or international recognition in the field of particle accelerators and associated technologies
• Experience with management of DOE Office of Science capital asset projects or international large-science projects
• Experience with leading design, engineering and technical integration activities for large accelerator, scientific, or research facilities
• Experience with commissioning and operating particle colliders and subsystems
• Knowledge of DOE configuration management and project management requirements
• Experience supporting DOE Critical Decision reviews, Independent Project Reviews, and Accelerator Readiness Reviews
• In-depth knowledge of DOE policies, procedures, and engineering standards and practices

Other Information

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required
• This is an on-site position in Upton, NY
• As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements
• Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory