Senior Research - Advanced Machining and Machine Tool Research Group

Position: Senior Research Staff - Advanced Machining and Machine Tool Research Group
Requisition

Overview:

We are seeking a Senior Research Staff Member within the Advanced Machining and Machine Tool Group who will provide technical leadership in the development, execution, and growth of research programs focused on advanced machining, machine tool science, machine tool performance, manufacturing process monitoring, machine tool metrology, and data-driven manufacturing systems. The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary research projects, develop new research directions, build sponsor and industry relationships, and help advance the technical strategy of the Advanced Machining and Machine Tool Research Group.

This position resides in the Advanced Machining and Machine Tool Research Group in the Manufacturing Science Division, Energy Science and Technology Directorate, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Manufacturing Demonstration Facility.

Major Duties/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.

* Coordinate and lead 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.

Basic 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Experience developing successful research proposals, sponsor relationships, industry partnerships, or new technical program areas.

* Recognized…