Project Manager - ThERM Center (Remote Eligible) (Casual)

Requisition Id16531

Annual Salary Range:$$109,000.00-$$130,000.00

Work-Site Type:Remote

ORNL offers a flexible work environment that supports both the organization and the employee. In addition, this position is considered remote-eligible for ORNL in pre-approved locations. Remote-eligibility is not a continued guarantee and could be subject to change based on evolving organizational needs.

Note about pay range:

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay. Salary for this position will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, plus also aligned with the internal peer group. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Link to benefits. https://jobs.ornl.gov/content/Benefits/?locale=en_US

Overview:

The Center of Excellence for Thermal Energy Recovery and Management (ThERM) is a national initiative aimed at accelerating the development, validation, and deployment of high-temperature heat pump (HTHP) technologies for advancing industrial heating process. The Center will establish an integrated ecosystem that combines component innovation laboratories, system integration testing platforms, pilot-scale demonstration capabilities, and advanced digital engineering tools to evaluate and optimize HTHP technologies operating at temperatures exceeding 200 C. By providing testing methods & procedures, validated performance data, and real-world demonstration platforms, ThERM will enable collaboration among industry, national laboratories, universities, and utilities to reduce technical and commercialization risks. Ultimately, the Center will serve as a national hub to advance industrial heating process technologies, support technology benchmarking and standards development, and accelerate the utilization of advanced industrial heat technologies.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking an experienced project manager to support the establishment and execution of the Center of Excellence for Thermal Energy Research and Management (ThERM), a multi-year initiative focused on accelerating the development, validation, and deployment of high-temperature heat pump (HTHP) technologies for industrial heating process. The position will coordinate technical activities across multiple research tasks, manage stakeholder engagement with industry and national laboratory partners, and ensure effective project planning, reporting, and milestone delivery. The Project Manager will work closely with the Principal Investigator and technical leads to facilitate collaboration, track progress, and support strategic execution of the ThERM Center's research, testing, and demonstration programs. This position resides in the Building Technologies Science Section, BTSD, ESTD at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Project Coordination and Management

• Support planning, coordination, and execution of ThERM Center activities across multiple technical tasks and research teams.
• Track project milestones, deliverables, budgets, and schedules to ensure alignment with program objectives.
• Coordinate project reporting, including quarterly and annual reports to DOE and other stakeholders.
• Maintain documentation of project decisions, scope adjustments, and technical trade-offs.

Stakeholder and Partnership Management

• Coordinate engagement with the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB), industry partners, utilities, and technology developers.
• Organize workshops, technical meetings, and stakeholder engagement events to support ThERM Center activities.
• Support collaboration agreements, including CRADAs, Strategic Partnership Program (SPP) agreements, and other user-access mechanisms.
• Facilitate communication among national laboratories, universities, industry partners, and government agencies.

Operational Support for the ThERM Center

• Assist with development and implementation of the Center's user access framework and operational processes.
• Coordinate activities related to test facility development, demonstration projects, and technology validation programs.
• Support outreach efforts including industry workshops, webinars, and technical engagement activities.

Strategic Planning and Program Development

• Assist leadership with long-term planning for the ThERM Center, including roadmap development, sustainment strategies, and industry engagement plans.
• Support preparation of proposals, white papers, and technical documentation for new research initiatives.
• Help identify collaboration opportunities with DOE programs, industry partners, and investors.

Organizational Values and Culture

• 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:

• BS in engineering, business administration, project management, or a related technical field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management, research program coordination, or technology development programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-partner technical projects involving industry, government agencies, and/or research institutions.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively across multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Proven experience tracking project schedules, milestones, budgets, and deliverables for complex programs.
• Experience preparing technical reports, presentations, and project documentation for stakeholders, including government sponsors.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and facilitate meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience working within a DOE program office is preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams across organizations.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced research environment, prioritize competing tasks, and adapt to evolving project needs and timelines.

For more information, please contact Kashif Nawaz (nawazk@ornl.gov)

Special Requirements:

• This is a part time casual 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.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

Benefits at 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.

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.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

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.