Department Manager - Tritium and Fusion Materials
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Department Manager - Tritium and Fusion Materials
Idaho Falls, ID, United States (On-site)
Job Description
Develop and execute transformative operational strategies at Idaho National Laboratory, where your work directly fuels America’s energy leadership and next‑generation technological breakthroughs. As a driving force behind INL’s mission, you’ll shape policies and practices that advance nuclear innovation, national security, and energy solutions, continuing a legacy of scientific excellence. Your expertise will empower a world‑class team to push boundaries in energy, cybersecurity, and space systems—right where history and cutting‑edge research intersect. This is your chance to build solutions that define the future of energy and security for decades to come.
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:
Manage the staff and R&D activities within the Tritium and Fusion Materials department. Lead the team through subordinate supervisors and professionals, providing guidance consistent with established company policies.
Lead staff conducting R&D activities related to tritium and materials for fusion applications for sponsoring programs. This includes oversight of experiments in the Safety and Tritium Applied Research (STAR) facility.
Act as point of contact for experimental activities in the Safety and Tritium Applied Research (STAR) facility and interface with other functions related to INL operations, including NS&T laboratories in IRC, EIL, and the ATR Complex.
Program sponsors include DOE – Nuclear Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of Science, and other domestic and international partners through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements and Strategic Partnerships Projects.
Build relationships with DOE, other laboratories, the commercial nuclear industry, and universities that lead to new technical thrusts and programs of national relevance.
Provide employees with the guidance, direction, leadership, and support to ensure successful accomplishment of directorate goals and objectives.
Develop technical staff to maintain a national reputation for technical excellence, build national leadership, and encourage and review staff publications.
Regularly evaluate processes and, when necessary, lead and/or provide guidance to implement process improvements.
Collaborate with leaders across the laboratory complex to leverage the full resources of the DOE, as well as industry and university partners, to accelerate innovation in tritium management and materials development for fusion applications.
Ensure allocated department overhead funds are tracked and appropriately administered, coordinate with directorate departments and user facilities to integrate work across programs, and improve execution and process efficiency.
Recruit, retain and develop staff necessary to accomplish programmatic needs, including interns, post‑docs and others to maintain talent pipeline. Conduct performance appraisals, salary reviews, promotion reviews and other administrative tasks.
Responsible for the overall human capital management of the department. As a leader in the Nuclear Science and Technology Directorate, the department manager creates a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, inclusion, and diversity with focus toward the professional development of staff.
Required:
Advanced degree (PhD or MS) in Nuclear Engineering, Material Science, Physics, or a closely related discipline with commensurate experience in tritium and R&D for fusion applications.
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in tritium and fusion R&D with 2 years of leadership experience demonstrating effective skills in recruiting and developing research staff, conceiving, organizing, and leading nuclear fuels and materials‑related research projects and programs, developing and implementing business plans, and proposal formulation and program development.
The ideal candidate will possess:
PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Material Science, Physics, or a closely related discipline with commensurate experience in tritium and/or materials R&D for fusion applications.
Job Information:
The target pay range for this position is $158,712 – $237,174 annually. The full pay range is $107,844 – $274,980. Compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
Physical Requirements:
Frequent standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, bending, and operating equipment in office and field/laboratory environments. Hand/finger dexterity for keyboard operation, handling materials, manipulating tools, and reaching with hands and arms. Ability to lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform essential functions and interact with people are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Benefits and Relocation
Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self‑contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
Paid time off (personal leave)
Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
Comprehensive Relocation Package
Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.
Reasonable Accommodation:
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Selective Service Requirements
To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
Job Info
Job Identification 1100
Job Category 01-Manager
Posting Date 04/08/2026, 09:10 PM
Degree Level Master Degree
Job Schedule Full time
Regular or Temporary Regular
Locations 2525 Fremont Ave, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415, US (On‑site)
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Idaho Falls, ID, United States (On-site)
Job Description
Develop and execute transformative operational strategies at Idaho National Laboratory, where your work directly fuels America’s energy leadership and next‑generation technological breakthroughs. As a driving force behind INL’s mission, you’ll shape policies and practices that advance nuclear innovation, national security, and energy solutions, continuing a legacy of scientific excellence. Your expertise will empower a world‑class team to push boundaries in energy, cybersecurity, and space systems—right where history and cutting‑edge research intersect. This is your chance to build solutions that define the future of energy and security for decades to come.
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:
Manage the staff and R&D activities within the Tritium and Fusion Materials department. Lead the team through subordinate supervisors and professionals, providing guidance consistent with established company policies.
Lead staff conducting R&D activities related to tritium and materials for fusion applications for sponsoring programs. This includes oversight of experiments in the Safety and Tritium Applied Research (STAR) facility.
Act as point of contact for experimental activities in the Safety and Tritium Applied Research (STAR) facility and interface with other functions related to INL operations, including NS&T laboratories in IRC, EIL, and the ATR Complex.
Program sponsors include DOE – Nuclear Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of Science, and other domestic and international partners through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements and Strategic Partnerships Projects.
Build relationships with DOE, other laboratories, the commercial nuclear industry, and universities that lead to new technical thrusts and programs of national relevance.
Provide employees with the guidance, direction, leadership, and support to ensure successful accomplishment of directorate goals and objectives.
Develop technical staff to maintain a national reputation for technical excellence, build national leadership, and encourage and review staff publications.
Regularly evaluate processes and, when necessary, lead and/or provide guidance to implement process improvements.
Collaborate with leaders across the laboratory complex to leverage the full resources of the DOE, as well as industry and university partners, to accelerate innovation in tritium management and materials development for fusion applications.
Ensure allocated department overhead funds are tracked and appropriately administered, coordinate with directorate departments and user facilities to integrate work across programs, and improve execution and process efficiency.
Recruit, retain and develop staff necessary to accomplish programmatic needs, including interns, post‑docs and others to maintain talent pipeline. Conduct performance appraisals, salary reviews, promotion reviews and other administrative tasks.
Responsible for the overall human capital management of the department. As a leader in the Nuclear Science and Technology Directorate, the department manager creates a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, inclusion, and diversity with focus toward the professional development of staff.
Required:
Advanced degree (PhD or MS) in Nuclear Engineering, Material Science, Physics, or a closely related discipline with commensurate experience in tritium and R&D for fusion applications.
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in tritium and fusion R&D with 2 years of leadership experience demonstrating effective skills in recruiting and developing research staff, conceiving, organizing, and leading nuclear fuels and materials‑related research projects and programs, developing and implementing business plans, and proposal formulation and program development.
The ideal candidate will possess:
PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Material Science, Physics, or a closely related discipline with commensurate experience in tritium and/or materials R&D for fusion applications.
Job Information:
The target pay range for this position is $158,712 – $237,174 annually. The full pay range is $107,844 – $274,980. Compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
Physical Requirements:
Frequent standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, bending, and operating equipment in office and field/laboratory environments. Hand/finger dexterity for keyboard operation, handling materials, manipulating tools, and reaching with hands and arms. Ability to lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform essential functions and interact with people are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Benefits and Relocation
Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self‑contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
Paid time off (personal leave)
Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
Comprehensive Relocation Package
Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.
Reasonable Accommodation:
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Selective Service Requirements
To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
Job Info
Job Identification 1100
Job Category 01-Manager
Posting Date 04/08/2026, 09:10 PM
Degree Level Master Degree
Job Schedule Full time
Regular or Temporary Regular
Locations 2525 Fremont Ave, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415, US (On‑site)
#J-18808-Ljbffr