Department Manager – Agentic AI Systems

Idaho National Laboratory; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 159,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) match

Relocation package

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory seeks a Department Manager to lead the Agentic AI Systems Engineering group, guiding a multidisciplinary team of computational scientists and AI engineers. The role focuses on architecting agentic AI systems, multi-agent orchestration, and integrating domain codes into agent workflows to support nuclear energy research and national programs.

The candidate will establish department direction, oversee performance and workforce planning, and foster collaboration across INL

Qualifications

• Experienced in leading AI, software and computational science teams.
• Ability to align priorities and resources with organizational objectives.
• Familiarity with agentic AI architectures and multi-agent systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the department in architecting and deploying agentic AI systems and multi-agent workflows.
• Set department direction, priorities, and objectives aligned with mission needs.
• Provide leadership and performance management for staff and workforce planning.
• Build and sustain technical talent and capabilities for scalable agentic systems.
• Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration to enable execution across programs and research.
• Develop partnerships with internal organizations and DOE interfaces, ensuring safe, accountable delivery.

Skills

Team leadership

Multidisciplinary teams

Agentic AI

AI architectures

Orchestration platforms

Tools

Tool-call frameworks

Code integration pipelines

Job description

Position Summary

Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Department Manager to lead the Agentic AI Systems Engineering department responsible for architecting and deploying agentic AI systems across the laboratory. This includes multi-agent orchestration, tool-use frameworks, and the integration of INL's scientific and engineering codes into agentic workflows that support nuclear energy research and national mission programs. The Department Manager will guide a multidisciplinary team of computational scientists and AI engineers, develop people and technical capabilities, integrate work across disciplines, and align department priorities with laboratory and Genesis Mission objectives. This leader will foster collaboration, technical excellence, and effective execution while positioning the group to meet the rapidly evolving demands of agentic AI for science.

Job Description

• Lead the department in architecting and deploying agentic AI systems, including multi-agent orchestration, tool-use frameworks, and the integration of scientific and engineering codes into agentic workflows.
• Establish department direction, priorities, and objectives that strengthen INL's agentic AI capabilities and align with broader laboratory mission needs, including the Genesis Mission and related national initiatives.
• Provide leadership and oversight for employees, including performance management, staff development, workforce planning, and effective utilization of personnel.
• Build and sustain the technical talent and organizational capabilities needed to design, evaluate, and scale multi-agent systems, tool-calling frameworks, and agent-to-code integration pipelines.
• Integrate work across the disciplines to enable effective execution of multidisciplinary research, engineering, software engineering, and technical activities.
• Foster collaboration across organizational and technical boundaries to connect agentic AI expertise with INL programs, researchers, and mission needs, embedding autonomous and semi-autonomous agent capabilities into scientific and operational workflows.
• Maintain effective relationships with internal organizations, customers, stakeholders, and DOE interfaces, as applicable to department activities.
• Support strategic planning and identify opportunities to strengthen the department's capabilities, partnerships, and mission impact as agentic AI matures as a discipline.
• Promote technical excellence, innovation, accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and safe, secure execution of work, including responsible deployment of autonomous AI systems.
• Develop an inclusive, high-performing organization in which employees have opportunities to grow, contribute their expertise, and advance INL's Scientific Computing and Artificial Intelligence mission.

The ideal candidate will possess

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary technical teams working on AI, software, and computational science.
• Ability to integrate diverse technical capabilities and align people, priorities, and resources with organizational objectives.
• Familiarity with agentic AI architectures, multi-agent orchestration platforms, tool-use/function-calling frameworks, and integrating domain-specific codes into agent workflows.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Department Manager – Agentic AI Systems to work on our Agentic AI Systems Engineering team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our REC facility with every other Friday off.

• The target pay range for this position is $158,712- $237,174 annually. The full pay range is $107,844 - $274,980. At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.

About Us

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL Mission

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov .

Equal Employment Opportunity

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.