Work Center Team Lead - Steam Systems

UT-Battelle; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

UT-Battelle at ORNL seeks a Work Center Team Lead for Steam Systems to manage operations and maintenance of steam, compressed air, and natural gas utilities. You will provide technical leadership, schedule maintenance, and coordinate outages to maximize reliability and safety.

The role requires an ABET‑accredited engineering degree, 8+ years in utilities/industrial plants, and 3+ years of supervision. Strong knowledge of boiler systems and regulatory requirements is essential.

Qualifications

• BS degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university.
• Minimum of eight years of progressive utility/industrial plant experience with ops and maintenance.
• Minimum of three years of supervisory or management experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage personnel, systems, and equipment to operate steam, compressed air, and natural gas distribution safely and reliably.
• Provide technical leadership for large industrial utility systems including boilers, feedwater, water treatment, and piping.
• Ensure preventative and predictive maintenance to keep systems available and compliant.
• Lead troubleshooting and outages for complex utility system issues and emergencies.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements for utility operations.

Skills

Steam systems

Leadership

Supervision

Regulatory compliance

Maintenance planning

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Tools

ASME standards

Job description

Overview

The Utilities Division (UD) is part of the Facilities & Operations (F&O) Directorate and is seeking a Work Center Team Lead – Steam Systems. UD is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all standard industrial-type utilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), ensuring utility services are delivered safely, reliably, compliantly, and economically to support ORNL’s research mission. The success of every research project at ORNL depends on the Utilities Division’s ability to provide uninterrupted utility services. These utilities include electrical distribution; chilled water production and distribution; steam production and distribution; sewage collection and treatment; potable water storage and distribution; natural gas distribution; compressed air production and distribution; and stormwater control.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Manage personnel, systems, and equipment to provide safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of ORNL steam, compressed air, and natural gas distribution systems.


• Provide technical leadership and operational oversight for large industrial utility systems, including boilers, burners and combustion equipment, fuel systems, feedwater and condensate systems, water treatment equipment, pumps, steam, condensate, air, and natural gas piping, air compressors, air dryers, pressure safety systems, instrumentation and associated controls.


• Ensure the reliability and availability of steam, compressed air, and natural gas distribution systems through effective preventative maintenance, predictive and condition-based maintenance, troubleshooting, and corrective maintenance programs.


• Lead and support troubleshooting, repair, and operational response for complex utility system issues, equipment failures, and emergent outages.


• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements associated with steam, compressed air, and natural gas systems, including air emissions requirements, boiler and pressure vessel requirements, pressure system and piping codes, water treatment requirements, and other applicable federal, state, DOE, and ORNL requirements.


• Support safe and efficient boiler operation, including combustion equipment, burners, fuel systems, feedwater systems, boiler water chemistry, emissions, controls, and associated auxiliary equipment.


• Ensure operation and maintenance activities comply with applicable pressure system, piping, and natural gas distribution codes, standards, and internal engineering requirements.


• Establish and maintain clear expectations, direction, accountability, and performance standards for the work center.


• Establish work center priorities and provide direction to ensure resources are focused on the highest-priority maintenance, operational, reliability, and infrastructure needs.


• Promote a culture aligned with ORNL’s Safe Conduct of Research principles and strong operational discipline.


• Coordinate closely with system engineering, maintenance planners, operations personnel, construction organizations, and research customers to optimize system reliability and minimize operational impacts.


• Work with ORNL Security to coordinate maintenance and operation activities in Special Secured areas.


• Communicate work direction through shift orders, standing orders, operating procedures, and other formal communication methods to ensure effective turnover and operational continuity between shifts.


• Interact with all levels of management to coordinate outages, prioritize work activities, allocate resources, and optimize system uptime and reliability.


• Support work management, scheduling, and resource planning processes for both planned and emergent work activities.


• Provide operational, maintenance, and infrastructure input to support customer planning, budgeting, and resource forecasting activities associated with utility systems supporting mission-critical research and facility operations.


• Conduct field observations, safety meetings, and performance reviews to reinforce safe work practices and operational excellence.


• Provide timely notification, documentation, and reporting of incidents, equipment failures, environmental events, and operational occurrences.


• Promote continuous improvement, continuous learning, and operational excellence throughout the Utilities Division.


• Participate in special projects and assignments as directed by Utilities management.


• Treat people with respect and foster ORNL’s 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

• BS degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university.


• Minimum of eight years of progressive utility, industrial plant, boiler plant, or mechanical systems experience that includes both operations and maintenance responsibilities.


• Minimum of three years of supervisory or management experience.


• Demonstrated experience with industrial steam systems, boiler systems, compressed air systems, natural gas distribution systems, central utility plants, or other large-scale mechanical utility systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer license active in State of Tennessee.


• Five years of experience supervising or managing craft personnel in an industrial or utility environment.


• Knowledge of environmental and regulatory compliance requirements associated with industrial boiler and utility operations, including air emissions requirements, boiler and pressure vessel requirements, natural gas distribution requirements, water treatment and chemistry programs, and applicable mechanical and environmental standards.


• Experience working with ASME pressure systems, piping systems, and applicable mechanical codes and standards.


• Experience supporting or supervising 24/7 operations in a rotating shift environment.


• Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.


• Demonstrated history of sound technical judgment related to utility system operations and maintenance.


• Knowledge of ORNL utility systems, ORNL mission requirements, and the impact of utility reliability on research and facility operations.


• Familiarity with labor relations principles and experience working within a collective bargaining/union environment is highly desirable.


• Excellent written and oral communication skills.


• Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced environment, prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing operational needs.

Special Requirements

• Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions. As such, a pre-hire physical will be required after offer.


• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.


• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

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.
Other benefits include the following: 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, and Employee Discounts.
If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: [e-mail].
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.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
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.