Posting Title
MTES Research Operations Technical Project Manager
Location
CO - Golden
Position Type
Regular
Hours Per Week
40
Working at NREL
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
From day one at NREL, you'll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you'll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.
NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.
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Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.
Job Description
The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) is looking for Research Operations Project Manager for the Mechanical and Thermal Engineering Sciences (MTES) Directorate. MTES Directorate drives technological innovation in energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, and renewable power. MTES provides engineering and scientific expertise to a variety of federal agencies, including the U.S. department of Energy's Office of Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Office of Science, and Advanced Research Projects Agency, as well as university and industry partners. MTES directorate has facilities at the South Table Mountain, Flatirons, Denver West, Mesa Top and Alaska campuses.
MTES Directorate is in a growth phase and has a fast-paced environment. This position is responsible for supporting research operations to ensure research can be conducted in a safe and inclusive work environment through the implementation of NREL's Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS). MTES Research Operations team supports all six centers of the MTES directorate. The position involves working with a combination of engineering specialties that could involve disciplines such as electronics, electrical, mechanical and/or chemical. Research Operations support can include projects tracking, equipment commissioning, readiness verification, and ensuring lab safety compliance with ESH&Q policies. The successful candidate will work closely with the MTES research operations team as well as non-MTES staff as needed.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
Research Support

• Works in close collaboration as a member of the MTES Research Operations team reporting directly to the MTES Research Operations Group Manager and working with Res Ops, Site Operations, and research teams.
• Assist researchers with engineering support for new equipment specifications, procurement, installations, and maintenance as needed.
• Coordination and technical support of ongoing and future projects.
• Responsible for working with cross-functional teams to develop project plans for lab space expansions, space optimizations and lab upgrades to MTES facilities to support future research objectives.
• Supports coordination efforts in the MTES Work Planning and Control (WPC), including asset validations and equipment calibration tracking etc.
• Leads the development and maintenance of MTES Research Operations website.
• Participate in DEIA efforts as needed.

Daily Operations

• Supports research operational activities to ensure research readiness.
• Utilizes engineering skills to support research initiatives and technological advancements.
• Supports lab safety efforts including lab inspections, hazard analysis and controls.
• Supports research equipment qualification standards, equipment calibrations etc.Tracks facility capabilities such as power, utilities, gas detection alarms etc. for new projects and leads evaluation of research
• facility needs for new lab space.

Required Skills

• Managing projects on schedule and budget.
• Data management and analysis using Excel or other tools.
• Software skills to create, modify or optimize lab layouts.
• Knowledge of lab safety

Basic Qualifications
Relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 7 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 9 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Expert understanding and application of project management principles, concepts, practices and standards. Expert knowledge of technical field and related disciplines. Exhibits an exceptional degree of ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness. Outstanding interpersonal, conflict resolution, teaming and communication skills.
* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications

• Possess organizational skills and be able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Deep technical knowledge and experience as an engineer/scientist with demonstrated understanding and application of engineering principles, concepts, practices, and standards to conduct research in a safe manner.
• Familiarity with software such as AutoCAD, Solid works, etc.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings and electrical one-line diagrams.
• Knowledge of engineering concepts and practices to conduct research in a safe manner.
• Ability to develop strong collaborative relationships with MTES and non-MTES staff.
• Willingness and ability to work with a diverse workforce in an inclusive manner.
• Promotes and models ethical and professional interpersonal and business behaviors.
• Ability to adapt to changing needs.
• This position requires a 5 day a week on site work arrangement

Preferred Qualifications
Job Application Submission Window
The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Project Manager IV / Annual Salary Range: $95,500 - $171,900
NREL takes into consideration a candidate's education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee's salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.
Benefits Summary
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.
* Based on eligibility rules
Drug Free Workplace
NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.
If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.
Submission Guidelines
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.
EEO Policy
NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
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