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Oak Ridge National Laboratory · 2 days ago

Group Leader, Data Acquisition Software

Oak Ridge, TN

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

6+ years exp

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Group Lead for their Data Acquisition Software Group. The role involves managing a team of control software engineers to develop and support software for neutron instrument data acquisition and experiment planning, while ensuring compliance with best practices and fostering professional growth within the team.

Advanced MaterialsClean EnergyEnergyEnergy ManagementManufacturingNuclearRenewable Energy

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Develop and articulate a long-term vision and strategy for maintaining, modernizing, and enhancing data acquisition, software, and computing infrastructure that supports the neutron scattering instrument suites

Plan and lead major modernization efforts, including the transition of instrument control systems from LabVIEW to EPICS, ensuring robust architectures and sustainable solutions

Provide effective leadership for the team, including performance evaluations, setting annual objectives, supporting staff development, fostering a safe and inclusive work environment, and maintaining focus on priority tasks

Build and sustain world-class technical expertise within the group by recruiting top talent, fostering professional growth, and cultivating a culture of excellence and innovation

Ensure compliance with established procedures, standards, and policies, while also developing new policies and best practices that promote efficient, coherent, and maintainable software and computing workflows

Lead by example through hands-on technical contributions, offering architectural guidance, reviewing designs, and mentoring staff on modern software, computing, and data-acquisition practices

Support the Section Head in operational and administrative activities, including preparation of group budgets, contribution to monthly DOE reports, tracking progress of work, and evaluating completed tasks

Coach and mentor staff in Battelle’s “Safe Conduct of Research” principles, ensuring that safety, integrity, and responsible conduct guide all work practices

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

Qualification

EPICSData acquisition systemsSoftware development practicesLinux system administrationHigh-performance computingSafety practicesTeam leadershipMentoringProject managementCollaboration

Required

A BS degree in computer science, computer engineering, physics science or a related field with at least 15 years of relevant experience; an MS degree with a minimum of 12 years of experience; or a PhD with at least 6 years of experience

Demonstrated experience in leading and managing technical teams and projects to deliver as planned

Demonstrated technical expertise which includes one or more of the following: data acquisition systems for scientific research; high-level software for assisting scientific experiments; or software and hardware solutions for scientific user facilities

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge

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

Preferred

Advanced degree in computer science, engineering, physics, or a related scientific or technical discipline

Experience working in a scientific user facility, ideally within neutron scattering, synchrotron light sources, or similar large-scale research environments

Demonstrated experience managing or architecting complex data acquisition or control systems, preferably those based on EPICS, and supporting multiple scientific instruments

Proven track record leading collaborative software or control-system development projects involving multidisciplinary teams

Hands-on experience with relevant hardware and software technologies, such as detector readout systems, high-throughput data acquisition pipelines, real-time computing, frame grabbers, FPGA-based systems, or instrument control hardware

Expertise with modern software development practices including version control, CI/CD, testing frameworks, configuration management, and scalable computing architectures

Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC), data management workflows, or large-scale data reduction/analysis systems used in scientific research

Knowledge of cyber security policies and best practices relevant to scientific computing and control system environments, including DOE or other government requirements

Demonstrated ability to mentor technical staff, develop technical capability in a team, and promote a culture of safety and excellence