Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Job Title: Operations Research Scientist
Career Level From: Associate
Career Level To: Specialist
Job Specialty: Data Analysis
What You'll Do
This position performs the following duties:
- Interact with stakeholders to define requirements and scope for complex analytical projects including discrete-event simulation models, optimization studies, and predictive analytics initiatives
- Develop end-to-end analytical solutions using simulation platforms (Simio, Arena, AnyLogic), optimization solvers (Gurobi, CPLEX), and programming languages (Python, R, MATLAB)
- Design and execute experiments to test "what-if" scenarios, optimize resource allocation, and evaluate operational strategies for clients and leadership
- Build greenfield and brownfield models to drive facility layout, production flows, capacity planning, and logistics optimization
- Develop, validate, and maintain analytical models and decision support tools for consistent operational use
- Apply mathematical optimization techniques to solve scheduling, sequencing, inventory management, and resource allocation problems
- Integrate and cleanse data from enterprise systems (SAP, MES) using SQL, APIs, and ETL workflows to ensure model accuracy and reliability
- Conduct statistical analysis and predictive modeling to forecast demand, identify trends, and quantify operational uncertainty
- Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders and management using visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, and PowerPoint
- Work in a highly visible group that is driving transformation and innovation throughout the organization
- Contribute to the development of Y-12's Factory Digital Twin, enabling real-time analysis and prescriptive decision-making
- Develop deep understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain dynamics, and operational constraints to drive excellence
- Collaborate closely with engineers, planners, quality personnel, and all levels of production facilities
- Partner with data scientists and visualization experts to craft compelling, data-driven narratives for upper management
- Serve as an integral member of the Manufacturing Modeling and Analytics team, advancing the analytical foundation of CNS Y-12's mission-critical operations
What You Can Expect
- Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
- Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
- Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
- Career advancement and professional development programs
- Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives
Minimum Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- Eight (8) or more years of education and/or relevant experience may be considered to satisfy educational and years-of-experience requirements for this posting.
Preferred Job Requirements
- Master's degree or Ph.D. in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or related field
- Bachelor's degree in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science, or related technical field
- Experience with analytical modeling techniques including discrete-event simulation, optimization, or statistical analysis
- Proficiency with simulation software (Simio, Arena, AnyLogic, FlexSim, ExtendSim, etc.) and/or optimization tools (Gurobi, CPLEX, or similar)
- Experience with programming languages such as Python, R, MATLAB, or similar analytical software
- Ability to extract, manipulate, and analyze data from databases using SQL or similar query languages
- Experience with data visualization software (Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, etc.)
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills with ability to translate business problems into quantitative models
- Excellent communication skills with ability to present technical findings to non-technical stakeholders
- Ability to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance
- 5+ years of experience with discrete-event simulation platforms (Simio, Arena, AnyLogic, or similar)
- 2+ years of experience with mathematical optimization methods and solvers
- 2+ years of programming experience with Python, R, MATLAB, or similar analytical languages
- 2+ years of experience with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, or similar)
- Working knowledge of ERP systems (SAP/S4 preferred) and manufacturing execution systems (MES)
- Experience leading data integration efforts, Web API development, or ETL workflow design
- Familiarity with manufacturing systems, production scheduling, constraints modeling, or operations management
- Experience with digital transformation initiatives, digital twins, or advanced manufacturing analytics
- Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma principles, continuous improvement methodologies, or statistical process control
- Familiarity with VV&A (Verification, Validation & Accreditation) standards for model credibility
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional technical or engineering projects
- Strong communication, teamwork, and stakeholder engagement skills with ability to derive project requirements through interviews with cross-functional team members
- Experience in manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, or defense/national security environments
- Ability to work effectively across all organizational levels from production floor to executive leadership
Why Y-12?
You get #morethanajob. We encourage employees to achieve a healthy personal balance among home, work and the community. One of the ways we embrace work-life balance is by offering flexible work arrangements that provide alternatives to the traditional workweek, while still meeting business needs. Top talent and personal commitment mean more to our success than any other factors, so we reward our people with the kinds of benefits that make a positive difference in the quality of their lives. Benefits such as: medical plan, prescription drug plan, vision plan, dental plan, employer matched 401(k) savings plan, disability coverage, education reimbursement and many more. Want to stay healthy and fit but hate the cost of a gym membership? Take advantage of one of our onsite workout facilities and eat healthy in our onsite cafeterias. Much more than a workplace, at Y-12, you can build a career that lasts a lifetime.
Notes
The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.
If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.
Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.
This position may require entry into the Material Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (10 C.F.R. Part 712), which requires successful competition of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation and may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.
This position may be categorized as a “designated position” identified by 10 C.F.R. Part 709, requiring successful completion of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation that may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.
CNS is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification.
CNS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.
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