Senior Research Staff - Advanced Machining and Machine Tool Research Group

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Research Staff Member within the Advanced Machining and Machine Tool Group.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and development projects in advanced machining, machine tool systems, machine tool metrology, process monitoring, manufacturing process optimization, and related manufacturing technologies.
• Serve as a senior technical contributor and project lead for medium to large research projects involving complex machining and machine tool challenges.
• Define technical objectives, research approaches, project plans, milestones, deliverables, budgets, and risk mitigation strategies for sponsored research projects.
• Develop original technical solutions to highly complex manufacturing problems requiring the integration of machining science, machine tool engineering, metrology, controls, data analytics, materials behavior, and experimental research.
• Lead experimental research activities involving CNC machining, machine tool characterization, process sensing, cutting tool evaluation, machine dynamics, thermal and geometric error assessment, part quality evaluation, and manufacturing process optimization.
• Develop significant new research proposals, funding strategies, technical concepts, and research partnerships aligned with ORNL, DOE, sponsor, and industry priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with government sponsors, industrial partners, machine tool builders, equipment suppliers, universities, and other external collaborators.
• Influence group and division research directions by identifying emerging needs, technical gaps, new opportunities, and strategic areas for growth in machining and machine tool research.
• Cook up multidisciplinary teams of researchers, technical staff, postdoctoral researchers, students, and external collaborators to achieve project objectives.
• Communicate research results through high-quality technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, sponsor briefings, invention disclosures, and internal program reviews.
• Support safe, effective, and compliant operation of machine tools, laboratories, instrumentation, and experimental systems in accordance with ORNL policies, procedures, and best practices.
• 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.

  Qualifications

  • A PhD in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a related discipline with at least 6 years of relevant experience or MS and at least 12 years of relevant experience.
  • Demonstrated record of technical leadership in machining science, machine tool systems, manufacturing process monitoring, machine tool metrology, process optimization, or manufacturing systems research.
  • Experience leading medium to large research projects, including project planning, budget awareness, milestone tracking, sponsor communication, technical reporting, and coordination of multidisciplinary teams.