OverviewAt PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. Our directorates related to Mission Support & Operations include Office of General Counsel, Business Services, Communications and External Engagement, Operational Systems, Communications and Information Technology, and Performance Management. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.
The Energy Processes and Materials Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, creates and delivers real world solutions that support the Department of Energy’s goals for national energy security. We deliver new technologies that connect fundamental science to applications in areas such as energy storage, advanced materials manufacturing, applied catalysis, advanced separations, biomass conversions, carbon capture and utilization, and hydrogen production and storage. We employ a systems perspective that includes discovery, technology development, and scale-up as well as economic, regulatory, and market acceptance issues necessary for successful technology commercialization.
ResponsibilitiesThe Energy Processes and Materials Division (EP&MD) within the Energy and Environment Directorate (EED) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking an Operations Director for the Department of Energy’s Grid Storage Launchpad (GSL). The primary mission of the GSL is to:
- Validate: Independent testing of next-generation storage materials and systems(<100kW) under realistic grid operating conditions.
- Accelerate: Reduce risk and speed development of new technologies by propagating rigorous grid performance requirements to all stages of development.
- Collaborate: Link energy storage research and development communities in a new collaboration center to solve key crosscutting challenges.
GSL provides systematic and independent validation of new grid storage technologies, from basic materials and components to prototypes, to accelerate the development and deployment of reliable, low-cost grid energy storage. Work in the GSL encompasses the following areas:
- Materials discovery and innovative synthesis utilize digital twins, physics-informed data models, and high-throughput experimentation.
- In operando characterization facilities insulated from sound and vibration, are used to understand the fundamental material properties of storage technologies during operation.
- Advanced prototyping equipment is used to design and build advanced prototype batteries quickly for testing, thereby reducing cost and risk in advancing new technologies.
- Testing capabilities in specialized chambers enable safely testing energy storage technologies from milliwatts to 100kW scale under realistic grid duty cycles, use cases and operating conditions.
- Visualization laboratory with multimedia audiovisual displays helps to analyze the role of energy storage in future grid scenarios and develop design criteria for new technologies.
- Fellowship laboratories offer flexible, collaborative workspaces for materials scientists and energy storage researchers to advance promising technologies for grid reliability.
The GSL operations director is responsible for operational excellence and the safe conduct of research in GSL. Responsibilities of this position include the following:
- Lead the technology and engineering vision for testing energy storage systems and develops and executes strategy for GSL operations.
- Provide leadership to technical staff to ensure safe and compliant operations.
- Work with line management to ensure safe and efficient moves of staff, materials and equipment to support programmatic work in GSL.
- Conceive, develop, and execute internal investments to advance strategic objectives of GSL, such as procurement of new equipment, maintenance, and service contracts.
- Work with line management to meet current and future R&D mission needs by providing input into capability and infrastructure plans for areas of responsibility.
- Provide leadership for assigned areas in maintaining and expanding existing business in energy storage testing and validation. Coordinate yearly project workload and flow that effectively utilizes GSL staff, equipment, and capabilities.
- Serve as the safety leader for GSL. Work with PNNL subject matter experts to develop a robust safety culture following PNNL’s Safe Conduct of Research principles.
- Estimate, plan and manage assigned budgets required to meet DOE testing requirements.
- Work with PNNL’s Office of Collaboration and Commercialization to develop and implement an efficient intellectual property agreement approach for visiting researchers and for the testing of external collaborators’ battery materials or systems. Develop and maintain strong relationships with external partners.
- Develop and implement an operating model to enable collaborators to bring Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) to the GSL Test and Validation Area 2 (T&V2) for testing of up to 100KW ESSs. Serve as the R&D point of contact on the GSL Battery Review Committee to validate ESSs are compatible with the T&V2 operating envelope and coordinate all aspects of testing with Project Managers.
- Implement a GSL data management process and tools that meet the needs of collaborators, advance broad research objectives, and maintain data security.
- Implement safe operations for the GSL training program.
- Define, communicate and implement all operational requirements to staff and visitors.
- Work with project management office directors and project managers on proposal and acceptance of new work, and to actively monitor risks of ongoing work.
- Work with the GSL Director to train, educate, and develop the workforce of the future.
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA and 8 years of experience -OR-
- MS/MA or higher and 6 years of experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- BS/BA and 10 years of relevant experience.
- MS/MA or higher and 8 years of relevant experience.
- Proven national laboratory operational experience or industrial laboratory experience, including experience as an operations manager in a research or production environment.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and experience relative to the principal responsibilities of the position.
- Strong, proven interpersonal communications, problem solving, and human relations skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage technical staff and work effectively with internal researchers and external partners.
- Effective and compelling written and oral communications to a broad range of audiences.
- Experience ensuring safe, secure, effective, and compliant operations. Ability to proactively mitigate hazards associated with experimental work.
- Demonstrated experience in successfully managing complex research operations in the laboratory and/or the field.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain relationships across multiple organizations, and to leverage those relationships to support the mission of GSL.
Hazardous Working Conditions/EnvironmentNot Applicable.
Additional InformationNot Applicable.
Testing Designated PositionNot a Testing Designated Position.
About PNNLPacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment OpportunityOur laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.
Drug Free WorkplacePNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility RequirementsIn accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO)risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.
Mandatory RequirementsPlease be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.
Rockstar RewardsEmployees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave**, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**Once eligibility requirements are met.
Click Here For Rockstar Rewards
Notice to ApplicantsPNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.
As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.
Minimum SalaryUSD $145,400.00/Yr.
Maximum SalaryUSD $207,000.00/Yr.
