PROGRAM MANAGER-R&D - SR. PROGRAM MANAGER-R&D - Machinery and Energy Systems
Southwest Research Institute

Who We Are:

The Machinery Department performs applied R&D supporting advancements in fluid-thermal energy technologies for many industries. We develop solutions through analysis and validate machinery, components, and systems for advanced power, energy transport/storage, industrial decarbonization, and other applications from benchtop to pilot scale.

Objectives of this Role:

• Develop research program areas in an applied engineering R&D team environment for power systems, supporting our clients by developing and validating energy technologies and system/component improvements to reliability, performance, sustainability, cost, or other objectives.
• Lead applied R&D projects and teams to design, analyze, install, commission, and operate industrial power systems including machinery, heaters, coolers, test rigs, and other thermal/fluid power systems and components.
• Inform internal strategic planning for technical program areas, including business development, technical capability improvements, and laboratory facility utilization and improvements.
• Provide technical leadership by mentoring less-experienced technical staff as a subject matter expert in project management, industrial systems, and/or machinery disciplines and associated methods and tools.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with department and other SwRI staff to build business opportunities for government and commercial clients through professional activities/outreach and development of new strategic capabilities via internal research funding.
• Coordinate project team activities and make individual contributions to efficiently accomplish technical project tasks, including activities such as thermodynamic modeling, power system analysis/design, test loop assembly/operation, data analysis, and reporting.
• Prepare technical publications and presentations for business development purposes. Interface with technical clients to coordinate project scope and develop proposals.
• Manage project requirements and schedules, and labor plans. Utilize project controls including earned value, schedule, risk/opportunity analysis, effective task delegation, and other tools to manage progress and interfaces including clients and subcontractors/vendors.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related degree field with relevant experience.
• 10+ years: Experience with power system design, analysis, and testing preferred, including functional knowledge of various technical areas including thermal/fluid systems, turbomachinery, prototype design and manufacturing, and large-scale testing.
• 10+ years: Experience with energy system analysis and development over a broad range of fluid-thermal energy technologies. Proven ability to independently troubleshoot industrial power system operations and break down complex research problems into logical tasks.
• 10+ years: Broad understanding of and experience with implementation of industry-accepted standards and guidelines for design, analysis, commissioning, and testing. Experience with integration of multiple systems preferred.
• 10+ years: Past project management experience required and personnel management and/or business development experience strongly preferred. Experience managing government-funded projects preferred. Good organizational and communication skills required, including verbal and technical writing.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:

Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

Job Locations: San Antonio, Texas

For more information about this division, visit the Mechanical Engineering home page.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here.
For benefits information at all other locations, click here.

An Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disabled/Veteran
Committed to Diversity in the Workplace

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