Tritium & Fusion Technologies Branch Manager

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories; Chalk River; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Benefits from Day One

Tuition support

Pension plan

Job summary

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ Chalk River Laboratories is seeking a Branch Manager, Tritium and Fusion Technologies to lead a multidisciplinary team focused on technology development, commercialization, and scientific excellence in hydrogen isotopes, fusion energy, tritium technologies, and related applications.

You will guide projects, develop collaborations, and drive program growth while upholding safety, integrity, and a culture of high performance in a nationally important research

Qualifications

• 10+ years in a broad scientific or engineering discipline with domain knowledge in hydrogen isotopes, tritium processing or fusion tech
• 2+ years of leadership experience with proven ability to guide teams and deliver results
• Experience in innovation, program and project management including people, processes, customers, and finances
• Knowledge of safety, regulatory, and quality frameworks (ISO 9001, CSA standards) and ability to ensure compliance

Responsibilities

• Lead projects and programs to meet customer requirements, managing resources and priorities.
• Drive branch focus area strategy, collaborations, and commercialization opportunities.
• Provide aspirational leadership, foster trust, and promote a safe, collaborative culture.
• Champion safety, security, and compliance across all operations and activities
• Attract, develop, and retain staff with succession planning and performance management
• Cultivate industry relationships and enable growth in hydrogen, fusion, and tritium technologies

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Communication

Team leadership

Safety culture

Education

Ph.D. or Master's in chemical/ mechanical engineering, chemistry or related field

P.Eng. designation (asset)

Job description

Are you looking for an opportunity to lead cutting‑edge research and technology development to advance the future of clean energy? Can you see yourself guiding a team of scientists and technical experts in the advancement of fusion and tritium technologies with global applications? If you answered yes, this may be the job for you. Our Chalk River Laboratories location is seeking a Branch Manager, Tritium and Fusion Technologies, to lead a multidisciplinary team focused on technology development, commercialization, and scientific excellence in hydrogen isotopes, fusion energy, tritium technologies, and related applications.

What you will be doing!

• Successfully executing projects and programs to meet customer requirements, including Federal Science & Technology (S&T); prioritizing and adjusting resources is a key function in this role.
• Executing the business for Branch focus area(s):
  • Contributing to the S&T vision and mission for CNL.
  • Reviewing, refining and adjusting work and deliverables based on knowledge in technical areas, as well as policy, customers, and marketplace.
  • Identifying and pursuing research growth by anticipating client and market needs.
  • Defining, developing and leading collaborations that deliver growth in programs and capabilities.
  • Developing commercialization opportunities to drive program growth and CNL’s impact.
• Providing aspirational leadership for the Branch:
  • Fostering integrated, productive, and meaningful relationships within the directorate and across other directorates and groups.
  • Modeling integrity, leading by example. Demonstrating and communicating the expectation that everyone shall behave in a manner consistent with a healthy safety and security culture.
  • Building and maintaining a climate of trust, acting with transparency, respect, and fairness with all team members and stakeholders.
  • Promoting/initiating an environment that values willingness to implement new approaches to problem solving.
• Promoting safe, secure, and compliant operations in all assigned areas and projects/programs.
• Encouraging and participating in laboratory walk‑downs, the Laboratory Safety Oversight Committee, etc.
• Providing clear expectations to staff on providing input into, and following, worker safety tools and protocols (e.g. Job Hazard Assessments, Radiological Work Planning, Integrated Work Control, Standard Operating Procedures).
• Fostering a respectful work environment such that reporting safety issues and concerns is encouraged, and issues are resolved.
• Nurturing and enhancing scientific capabilities - staff, facilities, and equipment - in strategic focus areas.
• Attracting, developing, and retaining staff, including a clear succession management plan.
• Utilizing facility resources to ensure delivery of work.
• Developing, maintaining, and nurturing capabilities of the hydrogen technologies laboratory.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.
  

What we are looking for:

• Education
  • Degree from a University of recognized standing.
  • A Ph.D. or master’s degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry or related scientific field is preferred.
  • A Professional Engineering (P.Eng.) designation is considered a strong asset.
• Experience
  • 10+ years of experience in a broad scientific or engineering discipline—such as chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, or related fields with strong preference for expertise in hydrogen isotopes, tritium processing, storage, handling, fusion science or related technologies.
  • Experience with well‑rounded scientific, engineering, and management foundation supported by formal education and demonstrated through progressive technical and organizational responsibilities.
  • 2+ years of leadership experience, with a proven ability to guide teams, manage priorities, and deliver results in complex technical environments.
  • Demonstrated experience in innovation, as well as program and project management, is essential, including the ability to manage people, processes, customer relationships, and financial performance.
  • Experience integrating scientific insight with operational decision‑making to advance organizational goals and support the delivery of high‑impact technical programs.
  • Experience managing technical organizations and working effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Forward‑thinking technical leader with a strong passion for science, technology, and discovery.
  • Proven ability to lead high‑performing technical teams, apply effective leadership principles, and cultivate a collaborative, solution‑driven work environment.
  • Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust, engage staff at all levels, and manage the group dynamics in highly demanding situations.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong business acumen, and the ability to align scientific and operational goals with broader organizational objectives.
  • Demonstrated sound judgment in human resources matters, the ability to motivate and develop staff, and experience recruiting and selecting top technical talent.
  • A deep technical foundation is essential, including advanced knowledge of chemical engineering principles, materials science, electrolysis, catalysis, and/or process modeling.
  • Broad understanding of national and international tritium and fusion landscape is considered a significant asset.
  • Knowledge of broad scientific, engineering, and management foundation supported by formal education and substantial professional experience.
  • Knowledge of the Canadian nuclear industry, including R&D priorities, process and product qualification requirements, and comprehensive technology, program, and project management practices.
  • Demonstrated ability of integrating and balancing management objectives related to people, processes, customer expectations, and financial performance.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in quality management systems and regulatory frameworks, including ISO 9001, CSA N285, and CSA N286, ensuring rigorous compliance and operational excellence within highly regulated environments.
• Security Clearance Eligibility Required
  • Reliability Status with Site Access Security Clearance (SASC), which has a minimum requirement of 3-5 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's “Standard on Security Screening” and the “Policy on Government Security.”
    

Working Conditions:

• Working schedule: Five (5) days per week, seven and a half (7.5) hours per day for a thirty‑seven and a half (37.5) hour work week.

Why CNL?

Does the idea of working with a dynamic team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world excite you? At CNL, we’re reinventing ourselves to be industry leaders—pioneering solutions to the problems that matter most.

From building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy technologies, to developing targeted cancer treatments, to continuing our global leadership in environmental remediation—we are driven by impact, innovation, and purpose.

What We Offer: A Total Rewards Package

We believe in taking care of our people. Here’s what you can expect as part of our team:

• Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and floater days
• Benefits effective Day One – no waiting period
• Tuition support to help you keep learning and growing
• A defined‑benefit pension plan or a defined‑contribution pension plan, depending on your employee group, to support your long‑term financial security

Do Our Priorities Resonate with You?

• Delivering clean energy for today and tomorrow
• Restoring and protecting the environment
• Contributing to the health of Canadians

If so, you’ll feel right at home at CNL!

Location: Onsite

Located in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, our Chalk River site offers a beautiful natural setting with forests, lakes, and wildlife, right at your doorstep. Surrounded by welcoming communities such as Deep River, Petawawa, and Pembroke, you’ll have access to unparalleled outdoor adventures and a fantastic work‑life balance.

Please note:

This is a fully on‑site position based at our Chalk River Laboratory in Ontario.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At CNL, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome employees, stakeholders, and partners of all backgrounds and identities. read all about it!

We are proud to uphold a workplace culture grounded in our Core Values:

• Respect
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Safety
• Integrity
• Excellence

These values drive our employment practices and ensure meaningful career development opportunities and accommodations for all employees.

CNL is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please let us know via [e-mail]. All requests will be handled with confidentiality.

CNL operates on sites located on the traditional lands, waterways and ceded and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples. CNL recognizes and affirms all First Nations, Métis communities and Inuit in this land we now know as Canada. We acknowledge, respect and seek to better understand Indigenous history, rights and title on the lands where we work and develop projects. We honour and respect the importance of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their lands, waters and territories.