Program Manager, Defense Manufacturing Program Office

About the role

The National Security Science Directorate, NSSD, Defense Manufacturing Program Office (DMPO) seeks a Program Manager to lead and manage a portfolio of applied research and development programs focused on additive manufacturing, qualification/certification, additive manufacturing feedstocks, carbon fiber and composites, carbon-carbon materials, machining, data analytics, metrology, flexible automation and systems research.

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 program sponsors from the Department of War.
• Work directly with staff to deliver on existing R&D programs and the associated reporting. Represent the Chief Manufacturing Officer in key program meetings in their absence.
• Leadership
• Guide and support the ORNL manufacturing teams, ensuring exemplary program delivery.
• Provide ongoing coaching and mentoring to manufacturing staff and embedded project managers.
• Collaborate with ORNL leadership to develop program engagement strategies and provide input into long range NSSD science strategies. Develop and implement strategic resource plans for existing programs.
• Portfolio and 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 program costs and provide written and verbal reports to program sponsors. Make decisions concerning project and program spending, within program parameters and guidelines.
• Facilitate collaboration and best-practice sharing among project managers, key ORNL manufacturing collaborators, and external equities.
• Regularly review and evaluate opportunities to improve the project management best practices in order to achieve higher maturity in manufacturing programs.
• 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
• Change control
• Develop, present, and reinforce project management process and systems training for all applicable project staff.
• Prepare and support various project reviews, including internal and external project status reviews.

Basic Qualifications

• BS in a science or engineering field and seven (7) years of relevant experience.
• Experience in applied R&D project management and/or business/industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading diverse teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in science or engineering field.
• Program management skills and experience, plus significant knowledge of project planning tools with evidence of practical application. Excellent analytical, strategic conceptual thinking, strategic planning and execution skills.
• 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 program priorities.
• 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 given timeframes, and adapt to constantly evolving needs.

Special Requirements

• Q and SCI Clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a 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.
• Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.