Demo

Engineering Directorate Operations Officer

Physics World
Princeton, NJ Part Time
POSTED ON 11/12/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 12/11/2025
Job Details

The Engineering Directorate Operations Officer will be integral to the long- and short-term mission and vision for PPPL’s Engineering Directorate. This position will essentially be responsible for long and short-range strategic and tactical operations supportive of the Engineering Directorate and its mission as it relates to PPPL's strategic operational and long term planning goals.

A U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory managed by Princeton University, the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is tackling the world’s toughest science and technology challenges using plasma, the fourth state of matter. With more than 70 years of history, PPPL is a leader in the science and engineering behind the development of fusion energy, a potentially limitless energy source. PPPL is also using its expertise to advance research in the areas of microelectronics, quantum sensors and devices, and sustainability sciences. Whether it be through science, engineering, technology or professional services, every team member has an opportunity to contribute to our mission and vision. Come join us!

This position is NOT supporting those who require visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Core Duties:

  • Exercises control and leadership in the development, implementation, and management of efficient and cost-effective operational and administrative support of the directorate`s programmatic divisions/groups;
  • Provides organizational leadership for strategic and operational activities involving operational fiscal management; environment, safety, health & quality assurance; IT and systems planning; major infrastructure/space planning; HR/workforce planning; quality program review/reporting; training; and directorate communications;
  • Enables directorate engineering impact through leading directorate operations delivery and performance excellence;
  • Recognizes and resolves operational issues through multidisciplinary teams that crosscut the directorate and work as a conduit to the laboratory operations organization;
  • Recognize and resolve operational issues of the Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) through multidisciplinary teams that crosscut the ALD and work as a conduit to the laboratory operations (mission support) organization;
  • Partners with Laboratory Operations leaders to improve and maintain consistent operations, enhance operations performance, prioritize initiatives/projects, and enable the mission while managing and mitigating risk;
  • Contributes to strategic planning for the execution of major operations, maintenance and research initiatives and enhance operational excellence;
  • Assists in determining and shaping the quality of operations programs and personnel;
  • Leads and supports development and execution of directorate operational initiatives and encourage innovations and continuous improvement;
  • Implements and provides guidance on local implementation of laboratory policies and contractual requirements in a manner that mitigates institutional risk yet provides flexibility to achieve the directorate’s mission;
  • Advises the ALD and directorate leadership team on operational performance;
  • Advises departments heads and PPPL Deputy Director for Operations on overall continuous improvement;
  • Other duties as related.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

  • This level of knowledge and skill would be achieved through formal education at the BS/BA level or above with approximately 10 or more years of professional working experience;
  • Prior DOE experience would be valuable but is not required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

  • Progressive experience in operational and administrative management;
  • Exhibited skills in the areas of leadership, management, staff development, relationship building, communications and strategic planning;
  • Experience in independently carrying out delegated authority with a minimum of instruction, including skill in judgment, discretion and decision making;
  • Ability to thrive in a cross-functional work setting leveraging skills in team building, time management, resource management, communication management and cost management;
  • Demonstrated ability to lead change through influence and deliver measurable results (increased awareness, higher customer satisfaction, increased engagement, etc.);
  • Formal project management experience handling substantial, cross functional and mission critical projects;
  • Knowledge and familiarity of typical functions such as safety, security, facilities, human resources, business systems, and contractor assurance;
  • Experience in communicating and presenting technical and operational concepts, strategies and performance to a wide range of technical, non-technical and executive audiences;
  • Ability to model PPPL's Values: Responsibility, Impact, Safety, & Engagement (RISE).

Working Conditions

  • Office setting. On-site M-F. May have the occasional ability to work from home;
  • We are targeting a base salary of $200-$210K for this role;
  • This position is NOT supporting those who require visa sponsorship.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from participation in certain foreign government talent recruitment programs. All PPPL employees are required to disclose any participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program and may be required to withdraw from such programs to remain employed under the DOE Contract.

Standard Weekly Hours 40.00

Eligible for Overtime No

Benefits Eligible Yes

Probationary Period 180 days

Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail) No

Physical Capacity Exam Required No

Valid Driver's License Required No

Connect With Us!

Join our Talent Network to receive updates about working at Princeton.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and are, therefore, unable or limited in your ability to use or access this system, you can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting PPPL's Office of Human Resources at Onboarding@pppl.gov.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Princeton University-PPPL job offers are contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of a background check, reference checks, and pre-employment screening, as applicable.

PPPL is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory managed by Princeton University. The DOE prohibits DOE employees and contractors from participation in certain foreign government talent recruitment programs. All PPPL employees are required to disclose any participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program and may be required to withdraw from such programs to remain employed under the DOE Contract.

Princeton University-PPPL is a residential community and an employer that operates continuously 24 hours a day. Essential services employees perform jobs that are necessary and required to maintain basic University operations during scheduled closures or unscheduled suspension of normal operations due to emergencies, events, or other situations. Essential services employees may be asked and/or required to perform jobs or duties that fall outside of their normal job classification during an emergency event. Learn more about our Essential Services policy.

Salary : $200,000 - $210,000

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