R&D Staff Member in Manufacturing Robotics and Controls

UT-Battelle; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Assistance

Health Insurance (benefits)

Generous Vacation and Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

UT-Battelle/ORNL seeks a research professional to advance manufacturing science and technology, focusing on robotics, automation, and controls within the Manufacturing Robotics and Controls Group. You will collaborate with external partners and sponsors, develop proposals, and contribute to leadership growth within the group.

The role emphasizes developing sensing and controls algorithms, communicating results through publications, and delivering ORNL’s mission with integrity and teamwork.

Qualifications

• PhD in an Engineering discipline, Computer Science, or a related field.
• At least two years of relevant experience.
• Expertise in systems dynamics and controls, automation, and/or robotics.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing advanced controls and sensing algorithms.
• Demonstrated ability to work both individually and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills as evidenced by reports, papers, and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Work as a team member on existing partnerships with industry, universities, and other national laboratories.
• Develop proposals and pursue funding in support of research activities, including collaborations with industry partners.
• Design and implement advanced sensing and controls algorithms for manufacturing.
• Communicate research results through presentations, reports, conference papers, and peer-reviewed journals.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.

Skills

Systems dynamics and controls

Automation

Robotics

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

ROS

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a research professional to help develop world-class capabilities related to manufacturing science and technology associated with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Department of Energy (DOE) mission. Selection will be based on qualifications, relevant experience, skills, and education. This position resides in the Manufacturing Robotics and Controls Group in the Manufacturing Sciences Division of the Energy Science and Technology Directorate at ORNL.

Requisition Id 17138

In this position, you will be a part of team working toward achieving both the overall mission of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and those goals specific to the Manufacturing Science Division through advanced research in robotics, automation, and controls, including flexible/agile industrial automation, machine learning, mobile robotics, process control, sensor processing, machine vision, and/or human machine interaction. This position will require working with external partners, corporations, and sponsors to develop and deploy these technologies. Growth toward leadership within the group is expected and will be supported.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Work as a team member on existing partnerships with industry, universities, and other national laboratories
• Develop proposals and pursue funding in support of research activities, including through collaborations with industry partners
• Design and implement advanced sensing and controls algorithms for manufacturing
• Communicate research results through presentations, reports, conference papers, and peer-reviewed journals
• 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 an Engineering discipline, Computer Science, or a related field
• At least two years of relevant experience
• Expertise in systems dynamics and controls, automation, and/or robotics
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing advanced controls and sensing algorithms
• Demonstrated ability to work both individually and as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills as evidenced by previous reports, papers, and presentations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing funded research programs
• Experience applying advanced controls methods to manufacturing processes and/or manufacturing-related automation
• Expertise in machine learning for both sensor processing and control, including reinforcement learning and machine vision. Application of those methods to manufacturing processes and/or manufacturing-related automation.
• Expertise in advanced (high fidelity, high bandwidth) perception, localization, state estimation, and control
• Experience with ROS and the ROS ecosystem

Special Requirements

• This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL 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 mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well‑being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on‑site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Benefits

• Prescription Drug Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Contributory Pension Plan
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Generous Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Educational Assistance
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee Discounts

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT‑Battelle is an E‑Verify employer.