Technical Leader IV

Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.; Charlotte (NC); Remote; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive program

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401k plan with employer match

Paid time off

Job summary

Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. is seeking a Technical Leader IV to guide bold R&D initiatives across programs, translating research into scalable products and digital solutions.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, shape technical strategy, and mentor researchers and engineers in a fast‑moving environment. You will work across research programs, industry partners, and members to drive innovation from concepts to practical applications, with substantial autonomy and high credibility in

Qualifications

• Advanced degree and 15+ years of R&D/engineering experience in a technical environment.
• Recognized subject matter expertise with ability to solve highly specialized problems.
• Experience leading complex, multidisciplinary research or technology-development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, high-impact R&D and/or technology-development initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to researchers and technical staff.
• Design and oversee research activities that deliver value to members and industry.
• Lead technical reviews, feasibility assessments, and design discussions.
• Communicate complex research strategies to technical and nontechnical audiences.

Skills

Technical leadership

R&D strategy

Complex problem solving

Cross-program collaboration

Technical communication

Mentoring

Product roadmapping

Education

Advanced degree in science/engineering/computer science/data science

Job description

Job Title:Technical Leader IVLocation:Charlotte, NC, Dallas, TX, Knoxville, TN, Palo Alto, CA, Remote/Home Based, Washington, D.C.Job Summary and Description:Additional Job Information:Job Profile SummaryThe Technical Leader is a senior technical R&D leader responsible for advancing and transforming research, technology development, and research-derived products such as EPRI VantagePoint to support EPRI's evolving technical and digital future.The role leads complex, high-impact R&D initiatives that connect emerging technologies, EPRI research capabilities, data and digital approaches, member needs, and industry challenges. The Technical Leader works across research programs and organizational boundaries to modernize how research is conducted, how technical knowledge and results are delivered, and how research outcomes are translated into scalable products, platforms, tools, services, and other practical applications.The position requires substantial technical credibility, recognized subject matter expertise, and independent judgment. The Technical Leader may lead multidisciplinary teams without direct management responsibility. Product management and research-to-product experience are desired capabilities that complement, but do not replace, the role’s primary technical R&D leadership responsibilities.Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical and R&D Leadership· Lead complex, high-impact R&D and/or technology-development initiatives including EPRI VantagePoint requiring significant technical judgment, creativity, and multidisciplinary collaboration.· Work independently on highly specialized technical objectives and problems where limited precedent exists and innovative thinking is required.· Design and oversee research activities that advance technical knowledge and deliver value to members and the industry.· Lead technical reviews, feasibility assessments, design discussions, and technical decision forums.· Maintain deep involvement in state-of-the-art research and technology development.· Provide technical guidance and mentorship to researchers and technical staff.· Preserve technical rigor as research outcomes are converted into practical solutions.R&D Product Development· Define technical strategies and go-to-market roadmaps for research-derived products such as EPRI VantagePoint using member need, mission alignment, technical feasibility, impact, scalability, risk, investment requirements, and EPRI differentiation.· Apply emerging digital approaches to improve research methods, analysis, collaboration, knowledge transfer, delivery, and member value.· Evaluate research processes, outputs, tools, data, methodologies, and intellectual property that could benefit from new technical or digital approaches.· Establish repeatable approaches for transitioning traditional research outputs into interactive, scalable, reusable, or digitally enabled solutions.· Promote adoption and transfer of successful approaches across EPRI research programs.Member and Industry Engagement· Maintain relationships with members, advisors, industry stakeholders, technology providers, research organizations, academia, and technical networks.· Understand technical challenges, emerging needs, workflows, and opportunities for R&D.· Communicate complex research strategies, results, and emerging capabilities to technical and nontechnical audiences.· Represent EPRI in industry forums, workshops, conferences, technical networks, and collaborative initiatives.Cross-Program Technical Leadership· Lead initiatives involving researchers, technical specialists, program teams, software resources, providers, contractors, and other contributors.· Identify common R&D challenges and opportunities for shared solutions across programs and sectors.· Create alignment among stakeholders with different requirements, priorities, and constraints.· Influence technical direction without relying on direct authority.· Promote reuse, collaboration, knowledge transfer, and technical consistency.Project, Partner, and Resource Leadership· Lead complex technical initiatives, including scope, milestones, objectives, dependencies, risks, resources, budgets, and outcomes.· Coordinate multidisciplinary internal teams and external research, software, technology, vendor, and contractor partners.· Provide oversight to achieve technical, schedule, and financial commitments.· Evaluate external technical capabilities and recommend partnership approaches.· Lead or support research proposals, collaborations, and new technical opportunities.· Communicate technical risks, tradeoffs, resource requirements, and recommendations to leadership.Education and ExperienceRequired· Advanced degree in science, engineering, computer science, data science, or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience required.· 15 or more years of progressively responsible experience in R&D, engineering, technology development, digital technology, applied science, or a related technical environment.· Recognized subject matter expertise and technical credibility in one or more relevant fields.· Experience leading complex, high-impact, multidisciplinary research or technology-development initiatives with substantial independence.· Demonstrated ability to solve highly specialized technical problems where limited precedent exists.· Experience designing or overseeing R&D that advances technical knowledge and delivers practical industry value.· Experience translating research, data, models, or emerging technologies into practical applications.· Experience leading complex projects involving multiple disciplines, external contributors, budgets, resources, and delivery commitments.· Established member, advisor, or industry relationships and experience representing technical work externally.· Ability to communicate complex strategies and results to experts, members, senior leaders, and nontechnical audiences.· Experience mentoring researchers, engineers, scientists, or other technical professionals.Desired· Experience with digital technologies, data, analytics, software, automation, or AI.· Product management, technical product management, product-development, or product-owner experience.· Experience developing technical, research, or product roadmaps and evaluating investments.· Experience conducting member or customer discovery and translating needs into requirements and priorities.· Experience developing business cases for technical capabilities or research-derived products.· Experience leading prototypes, pilots, demonstrations, deployment, technology transfer, or adoption.· Experience working with external software, technology-development, or research partners.· Energy or electric utility industry experience strongly preferred.Skills and Attributes· Advanced technical and scientific judgment· R&D strategy and leadership· Complex problem solving and systems thinking· Research transformation and digital modernization· Research-to-product translation and technology transfer· Technical project, budget, and partner leadership· Cross-program and cross-sector influence· Member and industry engagement· Technical communication and thought leadership· Technical mentoring· Product and technology road mapping· Prototyping, piloting, deployment, and adoption· Effectiveness in complex, matrixed environmentsThe salary range for this position is $160,000 USD to $174,559 USD annually.This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.This role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s annual incentive program. The amount of incentive varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.This role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, STD/LTD and paid family leave, life and accident insurance, paid time off (flexible vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay).EPRI participates in E-Verify, an online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA). EPRI uses the system to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from the employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases.EPRI is an equal opportunity employer. EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/DisabledTogether . . . Shaping the Future of Energy.www.epri.com