Department Director Energy Resources and Demand Department

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as Department Director for the Energy Resources and Demand Department within the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Assessments (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 Energy Resources and Demand 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, energy storage, buildings and data centers, industrial technologies, demand response, and emerging energy conversion 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.

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 energy supply and demand 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, and collaboration.

Position Requirements

• Deep technical expertise in one or more relevant domains, such as electric power systems and markets, smart buildings and data centers, advanced manufacturing, energy storage, and hydroelectric and pumped-storage technologies.

• Strong experience with advanced modeling, simulation, and experimental approaches, including optimization, equilibrium modeling, and agent-based methods.

• Ability to apply engineering and economic principles to evaluate performance, cost, and system-level impacts of energy technologies.

• Demonstrated success leading and developing multidisciplinary high-performing technical teams and adapting personal and team capabilities to evolving, complex, and dynamic sponsor requirements.

• Proven track record managing complex, multi-partner programs and delivering results within scope, schedule, and budget.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage stakeholders at all organizational levels.

• Commitment to Argonne’s core values: impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

• PhD in engineering, economics, or a related field with 10+ years of relevant experience, or MS with 15+ years of experience and demonstrated technical leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Onsite presence is strongly preferred.

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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.