Job: Group Manager, thermal energy science & technology, NREL, Colorado

Golden, Colorado campus of NREL (source: NREL)

Alexander Richter 24 Feb 2020

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) located in Golden, CO has published an open position for Group Manager, Thermal Energy Science and Technologies.

NREL is the nation’s primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. NREL’s Buildings and Thermal Sciences Center has an immediate opening for a Group Manager for the Thermal Energy Science and Technologies. This position will provide leadership for this newly formed group with research foci in the areas of thermal energy components engineering, science, and materials.

The position reports to the Buildings and Thermal Sciences Center Director.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing work, resources and projects for the Group in accordance with the goals and objectives of the Center, the Laboratory, and NREL’s Geothermal and Concentrated Solar Power Programs, including complex projects with high visibility.
• Providing input to the Center Director on development of strategic plans and leading implementation of strategic plans affecting the Group.
• Managing and leading the Group staff, budget, and planning activities.
• Recruiting, developing, and retaining staff necessary to meet the mission of the Group, Center, and Laboratory.
• Demonstrated abilities for growth leadership and agility
• Proactively developing and maintaining the technical capabilities required to meet current and future research goals.
• Maintaining an active role in the hiring process, performance evaluations, and compensation recommendations.
• Managing all related systems and processes for the Group.
• Participating in workforce planning.
• Administering and establishing guidelines and systems that affect the Group, including systems for research, quality control, and quality assurance.
• Developing and conducting research related but not limited to high-temperature components and materials related to concentrating solar power (CSP), pumped thermal energy storage for utility-scale power, and geothermal energy science.
• Interacting frequently with internal and external management and senior level representatives from government and industry concerning projects, operational decisions, scheduling requirements, and/or contract negotiations.
• Working closely with NREL managers and DOE technology managers to support the development of research within the Group.
• Developing project opportunities with DOE clients and ensuring the success of those projects through the appropriate application of staff and facility resources.
• Establishing and maintaining productive external contacts and relationships in the scientific, university, government, utility, and industrial communities.
• Assisting in the planning, development, and evolution of energy technologies and capabilities at NREL’s existing and new facilities.
• Leading funding diversification efforts through relevant non-DOE business development, with a focus on other, non-DOE federal government entities (e.g., DoD, Homeland Security, etc.), state and local governments, utilities, and industry (e.g., manufacturers, developers, etc.).
• Leading briefings and technical meetings.
• Writing peer-reviewed journal papers and reports and making oral presentations to the NREL user community and at appropriate national and international scientific meetings.

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Basic Qualifications

10 years experience and an advanced degree in mechanical, materials, or chemical engineering or related engineering or scientific discipline, preferably PhD.

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Additional Required Qualifications

• Previous management, budget development and/or significant leadership in an individual contributor role required.
• Degree in appropriate field is required.
• Demonstrated skill in dealing with legal and ethical management issues and practices.
• Broad and in-depth knowledge of the issues and best practices in the applicable field of expertise.
• Excellent organization, project management, budgeting, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles and values, both directly and through subordinate management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred Qualifications
• 10 years of experience managing complex research and engineering projects, including managing, mentoring, and motivating staff.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles, and values.
• Demonstrated skill in dealing with legal and ethical management issues and practices.
• Outstanding communications, organizational, budgeting, and facilitation skills.
• Proven problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Uncompromised integrity in professional, scientific, business, and interpersonal interactions.
• Strong record of publications/presentations in areas relevant to NREL projects.
• Demonstrated success in working in a government funded establishment. For example; DOE-funded research environment and leading and developing innovative programs relevant to the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Additional Qualifications

• Broad knowledge of high-temperature CSP components and materials, including power cycles, thermal energy storage components and materials, and solar field (collector and receiver) design.
• Experience or familiarity with geothermal energy systems and components.

Source: NREL job posting