Group Manager- Research Ops for Energy Materials and Processing at Scale (EMAPS)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Colorado; On-site; USD 120,000 - 217,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

PTO and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) seeks an Engineering Group Manager to lead EMAPS research operations at the Golden, CO site. You will build and manage a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and project managers to enable startup and ongoing research activities, with a strong emphasis on safety, compliance, and collaboration with external partners.

The role requires extensive leadership in a high‑hazard, high‑tech environment, experience integrating automation and AI with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 9+ years in a technically related field; Master’s with 7+ years; PhD with 4+ years.
• Proven management experience and budget adherence.
• Strong organizational, project management, budgeting, and communication skills.
• Experience leading diverse engineering/technical teams and coordinating with safety programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership to the EMAPS research operations group.
• Manage engineers, technicians, AI engineers, and project managers, including budgeting and staffing.
• Develop strategic hiring plans and ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with ESH&Q, ROM, and site operations to plan, authorize, and release work.
• Lead process hazard analyses, readiness verifications, and safety inspections.
• Partner with external partners to grow capabilities and engage in new research initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Project management

Communication

Problem-solving

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

PhD

Job description

Posting Title

Group Manager- Research Ops for Energy Materials and Processing at Scale (EMAPS)

Location

CO - Golden

Position Type

Regular

Hours Per Week

40

About NLR

Working at NLR NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world‑class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost―effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth. At NLR, you'll find a mission‑driven environment supported by state‑of‑the‑art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well‑being.

Job Description

The Material, Chemical, and Computational Sciences (MCCS) directorate is seeking an Engineering Group Manager to support work in the new flagship scale‑up facility for the Department of Energy’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI). The Energy Materials and Processing at Scale (EMAPS) facility, located on the South Table Mountain (STM) campus of the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), will house a broad range of research from all directorates at the lab to meet CMEI goals for accelerating the scale‑up of laboratory‑scale innovations into market‑relevant prototypes and competitive manufacturing processes for critical minerals and electronic and functional materials. The Group Manager will serve a critical role in the EMAPS Research Operations team, building and leading this newly established group to work with NLR research teams, as well as industrial, academic, and other National Lab partners to facilitate project start up, and safe and impactful research activities in EMAPS. The successful candidate will report to the MCCS Research Operations Director and be responsible for leading a group of engineers, technicians, technical project managers and other staff supporting EMAPS research as well as integration with the MCCS Computational Science Center (https://www.nlr.gov/computational-science) for a compute first approach for AI-driven and autonomous work flows in EMAPS. This position requires strong technical engineering experience, as well as experience building and managing teams, applying engineering codes and standards, and enabling the safe operation of complex research equipment from development through pilot scale operations. Key research areas for EMAPS include electronic materials prototyping and processing, membranes and advanced separations, thermal and non‑thermal processing, performance enhanced chemicals, batteries, power electronics, and industrial process innovation. This position is based in Golden, Colorado, at the South Table Mountain Campus. The successful candidate will be expected to work primarily on site.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide vision, strategic planning, and leadership to the group performing research operations at the new EMAPS facility.
• Effectively manage a diverse group of engineers, technicians, technologists, AI engineers, project managers, and other technical staff, including appropriate level tasking, budgeting, staffing, performance management, and other administrative functions necessary for successful execution.
• Develop a strategic hiring plan that aligns with the startup schedule for EMAPS.
• Ensure group compliance with DOE and NLR safety, security, and operational requirements and policies, while fostering a strong safety culture.
• In collaboration with Environment, Safety, Health & Q (ESH&Q), the EMAPS Research Operations Manager (ROM), Area Work Supervisors, and Site Operations, provide resources and expertise to ensure that all work in EMAPS is planned, evaluated, approved, authorized, and released in accordance with NLR's Integrated Safety Management System, Work Planning & Control processes, and within the approved safety envelope of the facility.
• Facilitate agile project initiation, equipment procurement and installation, maintenance and repair, and ongoing research by participating in process hazard analyses, safety assessments, independent readiness verifications, safety inspections, work activity development, and other ESH&Q‑related processes.
• Additionally, review research vendor site visits, project field walks, and facility operations and contractor activities.
• Work closely with other group managers and NLR staff to develop and deploy engineering and computational strategies that support EMAPS research needs, including engagement and onboarding of projects with external industrial and academic partners.
• Collaborate with research teams, program managers, and external partners to identify opportunities for growth, capability expansion, and strategic partnerships.
• Actively support workforce development by providing coaching, mentoring, training, and career development opportunities for staff and emerging leaders.
• In strong collaboration with the ROM, ESH, and the Facility Manager, support emergency response needs in EMAPS.

Basic 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 may be required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legal and ethical management issues and practices.
• In‑depth knowledge of the issues and best practices in the applicable field of expertise.
• Generally viewed as subject matter expert for group or work units.
• Excellent organization, project management, budgeting, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven problem‑solving and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to make appropriate decisions regarding work activities and projects.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles and values.

Eligibility Requirements

Government Access Controlled Systems - This position will require access to sensitive information, Government facilities, and/or Government information systems restricted to individuals with US citizenship. Only applicants that are US Citizens at the time of application will be considered. Controlled Unclassified Information - This position will require access to Controlled Unclassified Information which may include restricted dissemination requirements based on citizenship. As a result, applicants may be excluded from consideration based on citizenship in accordance with DOE O 471.7, Controlled Unclassified Information.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Experience managing personnel, resources, and work in laboratory operations to enable research (personnel management and development, budget planning and tracking).
• Experience in providing direction, setting priorities, and ensuring the team meets its objectives effectively.
• Experience in management of technical projects, including scoping and planning equipment procurements and installations, managing interfaces between research and facility activities, and incorporating health and safety requirements into the planning and execution of work.
• Excellent interpersonal as well as oral and written communication skills, including ability to develop and maintain positive relationships within an organization and with external collaborators and research partners.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with institutional organizations including site operations, procurement, information technology, security, and environmental health and safety organizations to enable successful research operations support for EMAPS.
• Hands‑on engineering experience demonstrating ability to evaluate, guide and troubleshoot complex research equipment and scaling operations relevant to materials processing, pilot plant design, thermal/fluid systems, separations, or other EMAPS technical domains.
• Experience integrating automation, robotics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence with engineering systems.
• Excellent customer focus and solution‑oriented problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to lead and influence across organizational boundaries in a matrixed research environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization and to effectively lead personnel with diverse skills, work styles, and values.
• Demonstrated ability to support business development, proposal development, and strategic growth initiatives in collaboration with research leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with applicable engineering and facility codes and standards, including ANSI, NFPA, NEC, SEMI, ASME, OSHA, and related standards.
• Experience supporting the design, commissioning, startup, operation, or maintenance of complex research facilities or pilot plants.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams spanning mechanical, electrical, chemical, computational, and controls engineering disciplines.
• Experience with technology transition from laboratory research to pilot‑scale or industrial deployment.
• Knowledge of digital engineering tools, digital twins, data management, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Experience contributing to proposal development by providing engineering planning, staffing strategies, technical input, cost estimates, and execution planning for new research initiatives.
• Experience with emergency response in a research facility.

Annual Salary

Annual Salary Range (based on full‑time 40 hours per week) Job Profile: Group Manager II / Annual Salary Range: $120,400 - $216,700

Benefits Summary

• Benefits 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*.
• NLR 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 Requirement NLR 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 NLR 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 NLR, 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.

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

E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for critical minerals, energy innovation, and energy security. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, Fairbanks, Alaska, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NLR bridges foundational research with practical applications to develop and bring to scale new energy materials and technologies that lower energy costs, drive economic growth, and deliver abundant and reliable energy. NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on‑site, off‑site, or via telephone or videoconference. 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. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NLR by the Department of Energy (DOE).