Department Director, Electric Power Systems

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as Department Director for the Electric Power Systems Department within the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Assessment (ESIA) Division in the Advanced Energy Technologies (AET) Directorate. This is a key leadership opportunity to shape departmental strategy and guide world-class research that supports U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) priorities, strengthens energy security, and accelerates the transition to reliable, resilient, and affordable energy systems.

The purpose of this position is to provide strategic vision, technical direction, leadership, focus, coordination, and support of energy and environmental analysis research and development programs for the electric sector and other energy sectors. Comprehensive knowledge of the use of energy systems analysis tools, especially those for the electric sector, in support of domestic and international applications for energy analysis.

The Electric Power Systems Department delivers rigorous technical, economic, and environmental analyses that support decision-making across federal agencies, industry, and stakeholders. The Department develops and applies advanced methodologies, computational tools, and experimental platforms to evaluate diverse energy technologies and systems—including electricity generation, transmission, and energy storage, demand response, and energy interdependency solutions. Our multidisciplinary team integrates engineering, economics, and systems science to perform energy systems modeling and simulation, optimization and equilibrium analysis, engineering economics, and technology impact assessment.

Job responsibilities include managing technical staff, project planning and management, technical deliverables, and program development. The job will also identify research areas and opportunities and pursue funding from sponsors. Technology leadership responsibilities pertain to the design, development, application, and transfer of energy systems analysis tools, methodologies, databases, and decision-making information. This work involves both domestic and international research activities.

The Department Director will define the department’s strategic vision and strategy, grow research capabilities, and lead a talented team of scientists and engineers to deliver high-quality, mission-driven outcomes. The Department Director will also collaborate across Argonne and with DOE program offices, national laboratories, universities, and industry partners to expand capabilities and translate research into real-world impact.

This role combines technical leadership, organizational strategy, and people development. The Department Director will guide research direction, advance computational tools and experimental testbeds, build partnerships and funding opportunities, and foster an inclusive, high-performance environment where staff can thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

• Set strategic direction and grow the department’s research portfolio aligned with DOE and Argonne priorities.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams, building technical excellence and organizational capabilities.
• Provide technical leadership for advanced modeling, simulation, and analytical tools for electric power systems.
• Develop and manage large, complex programs and partnerships with stakeholders in government, industry, and academia.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality, impactful research on time and within budget.
• Cultivate a culture of safety, integrity, respect, teamwork, and collaboration.

• PhD in engineering, science, or a related field with 10+ years of relevant experience, or MS with 15+ years of experience and demonstrated technical leadership.
• Skill in applying modeling, simulation, and visualization technologies and concepts to energy systems analysis.
• Knowledge of research programs and priorities of Department of Energy Office of Electricity (OE) and Office of Critical Materials and Energy Innovation (CMEI).
• Thorough understanding of electricity from conventional to renewal generation and production, distribution, transmission and end-users consumption from the industrial sector, residential, buildings, transportation and other applications.
• Deep technical expertise in one or more relevant domains, such as electric power systems and markets, smart buildings and data centers.
• Strong experience with advanced modeling, simulation, and experimental approaches, including optimization, equilibrium modeling, and agent-based methods.
• Demonstrated skill in managing large-scale energy systems analysis programs to ensure quality projects are done on time and within budget
• In-depth skills in team leadership, management of personnel development, and interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to identify new research areas, developing and marketing proposals, and negotiating with sponsors.
• Skilled in oral and written communications at all levels of the organization.
• Skilled in assessing the technical capabilities of individuals and matching individuals to tasks.
• Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Onsite presence is preferred.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.