Posting TitleManufacturing and Characterization Group Manager

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LocationCO - Boulder

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Position TypeRegular

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NRELNREL’s 305-acre Flatirons Campus is the nation’s premier wind energy, water power, and grid integration research facility. Nestled south of Boulder, Colorado, and north of NREL’s main South Table Mountain campus, Flatirons sits adjacent to the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge and countless acres of open space and parks with stunning views of the Flatirons rock formations.

Join a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and visionaries dedicated to shaping the world’s energy future through cutting-edge research and innovation. From our vision to our NREL community, we are unique in the research community. We are focused on impact. From our work in basic sciences to systems engineering, analysis, demonstration, and deployment, we are focused on solving market-relevant problems that result in advanced, secure, reliable, and affordable energy systems. We are trusted clean energy leaders, developing cost-saving solutions that make U.S. industries more competitive, and support job creation and economic growth across rural and urban communities.

At NREL, we offer a unique, mission-driven work environment with cutting-edge facilities and multidisciplinary research teams. NREL's environment offers strong partnerships with industry, academia, and other national laboratories, as well as professional development opportunities and a competitive benefits package for employees.

Learn about NREL’s critical objectives: NREL's Mission and Vision.

Job Description

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an abundant and integrated energy future that is economically sustainable. With locations in Golden, Boulder, and Washington D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States. The NREL mission is to develop integrated energy solutions and energy efficient technologies and practices, advance related science and engineering, and transfer knowledge and innovation to address the nation’s energy and environmental goals. NREL’s National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) conducts world-class research in the areas of wind energy and grid integration. NREL has an opening for one full-time Group Manager for the Manufacturing and Characterization Group in the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC). Members of this group are technical experts conducting applied research in structural, manufacturing, and dynamometer facilities as well as field sites at NREL’s Flatiron Campus. Therefore, the group manager will have many responsibilities related to ensuring the safe conduct of research including safe work plans, safe operating procedures, worker proficiencies and qualifications, training, project readiness reviews, project walk throughs, and site inspections.

The researchers in the Manufacturing and Characterization Group work closely with partners to conduct characterization and validation of grid integration systems, photovoltaic structural systems, wind turbine and marine-hydrokinetic power electronics and drives, wind turbine and marine hydrokinetic components and systems, and characterize new materials and structures. Therefore, knowledge and experience with the conduct of research experiments including planning, scheduling, budget, analysis and reporting is required. There is an ongoing need to host industry partners in the facilities so familiarity with NREL visitor requirements is helpful. There is ongoing coordination with Research Operations to support research projects and objectives. In addition to evolving and advancing the group’s core capabilities, growth opportunities include developing stronger ties and relationships with private sector research partners and technically supporting government funded projects. 

The Group Manager role is expected to account for 35% of the individual’s time. The balance of the individual’s time shall be to perform and lead technical and analytic research in support of the goals of the Group, the Center, and the Laboratory. As a group manager, the individual will directly manage approximately 25 researchers. 

This group manager will work with other staff to develop and implement a strategic vision for the group and position the group to grow in funding, expertise, and impact. This individual will coordinate with internal and external groups to develop opportunities. This individual will also mentor staff, support their career growth, and perform other management duties such as staff planning and performance feedback. 

The staff in this Group lead an integrated research program with the other groups in the Center, Directorate, and NREL to lower the cost and increase the value of wind generated electricity and facilitate integration of various energy technologies.

The position involves collaboration with NREL management, project PIs, and DOE Wind Energy Technology Office leadership, to design and implement projects and activities that increase market adoption of wind-based power generation technologies. Accordingly, the manager will build new competencies to attract new research and development opportunities at NREL. Partnering with the appropriate platform lead, this individual will work to maintain and build client and partner relationships that increase the impact of the research. The manager will lead or support the response to DOE or other competitively selected opportunities. The individual shall initiate, lead and serve as a contributor on one or more complex projects with high impact and visibility. 

The manager will: 

· Work one-on-one and in group settings with staff to aid in planning and defining work, prioritizing, reviewing, and interpreting and administering policies, procedures, processes and systems affecting the work of the Group. 

· Oversee and guide technical work, resources and projects in the Group. She\he will provide input to the Center and laboratory for development of strategic plans. 

· Mentor staff in professional development for publishing, external engagement, and international leadership.

· Work with NWTC’s Leadership Team, NREL Lab Program Managers, Platform Leads, and Business Development team leads to strategically position the Group to grow in terms of funding, expertise, and impact.

· Mentor staff in NREL’s processes, procedures, and culture. Help staff to access resources throughout the lab.

· Lead annual performance reviews.

· Engage directly with internal and external clients. 

· Recruit and hire new employees, ensuring safety and other training requirements are planned, explained, and met.

· Work with human resources and other NREL managers should disciplinary measures arise.

· Lead a portfolio of technical work where assignments are complex with high impact and visibility which require the regular use of ingenuity and innovation. 

· Publish reports for the DOE, NREL, and in scientific journals and present finding at national and international meetings/conferences. 

· Represent the Department of Energy national laboratories at domestic and international forums (e.g., International Energy Agency). 

· Develop and give presentations on project progress to sponsors and reviewers, write project plans, and regular project reports. 

· Support the growth of the group through proposals, strategic investments, and business development. 

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Basic QualificationsBasic Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree and 9-years’ experience in technically related research discipline; Or, Master’s Degree and 7-years’ experience in technically related research discipline; Or, PhD and 4-years’ experience in technically related research discipline. Previous management and budget adherence experience and/or significant leadership in an individual required.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

· Significant success in an individual contributor research role.

· Excellent organization, project management, budgeting, interpersonal, and communication skills

· Demonstrated communication skills including experience and ability to communicate research results through written papers and oral presentations, the ability to effectively represent a program, and the ability to present research work to academic, industry, and governmental audiences.

· Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a large dynamic team environment with evolving requirements and schedules.

· Leadership skills, including budget development and demonstrated ability to successfully lead projects and/or programs toward ambitious goals.

· Previous experience with the planning and execution of experiments.

· Familiarity with and commitment to security, safety, and EH&S systems.

• Research experience in wind energy, systems engineering, and techno-economic analysis.

• Successful experience with DOE/EERE applied energy programs.

• Experience with universities and state and local government agencies.

• Experience with outreach, stakeholder engagement, and workforce development.

• Budget and personnel management experience.

• Experience mentoring early-career researchers.

• Membership in technical professional societies and/or international standards bodies

• Familiarity with NREL security and safety requirements or equivalent.

• This position requires a hybrid on site work arrangement of 3-4 days a week and is therefore not seeking remote applicants.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a US DOE security clearance is required. Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE O 472.2A for additional information.

Preferred Qualifications

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)Job Profile: Group Research Manager II / Annual Salary Range: $117,200 - $211,000

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits SummaryBenefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging RequirementNREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

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