Program Manager, Institutional Work Planning and Control

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory is a world-class fusion energy research laboratory managed by Princeton University for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. PPPL is dedicated to developing the scientific and technological knowledge base for fusion energy. The Laboratory advances the fields of fusion energy and plasma physics research to develop the scientific understanding and key innovations needed to realize fusion as an energy source for the world.

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is embarking on a period of unprecedented strategic growth. This is an exceptional opportunity for a highly experienced professional subject matter expert to lead a revitalization of the PPPL’s work planning and control program and to assure its continual improvement. The program will see that all work is performed safely, securely, in an environmentally responsible manner, and meets quality objectives for performance.

• Serves as the WPC program manager. This means that the person in this role will define, develop, and provide laboratory-wide direction and leadership for the PPPL Work Planning and Control (WPC) program.
• Manages assigned budgets.
• Defines and implements processes and practices to provide institutional assurance that the WPC program is being implemented as intended and is achieving the desired results.
• Collaborates with laboratory leadership and subject matter experts to drive continual improvement in process and tools covering the breadth of work at PPPL including infrastructure operations and maintenance, research facilities operations and maintenance, construction, research safety etc.
• Facilitates communication and collaboration among stakeholder groups who utilize and/or are impacted by the PPPL Work Planning and Control (WPC) program. Provides and administers tools to facilitate communication and coordination (e.g. hazardous job registry, plan of the month/week).
• Represents PPPL and engages in and provides leadership to work planning and control communities of practice that are active in the DOE complex. Identifies and pursues best practices to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the PPPL WPC program.
• Must ensure that all contractual deliverables associated with the WPC program are provided on schedule and meet stakeholder expectations for quality. Reviews contract modifications applicable to WPC.
• Monitors and measures the effectiveness and efficiency of WPC processes and practices. Develops and analyzes key performance indicators.
• Takes preventive and corrective actions when necessary to assure system performance is maintained at expected levels.
• Manages the WPC electronic information technology tools. Works with developers to improve and optimize the system performance based on user and stakeholder feedback. Ensures compliance with software quality assurance requirements.
• Works with other departments to develop and deliver training related to the WPC program.
• Works directly with the PPPL project management office to assist in coordinating and aligning resources at key work phases and transitions (e.g. design reviews, construction start)
• Prepares and delivers presentations to senior laboratory leadership, contract assurance partners (i.e. DOE and Princeton University), and training to laboratory staff.
• Provides leadership, management, and direction over sub-contracted and assigned laboratory staff for WPC program implementation.

Education and Experience: 

• Must have a bachelor’s degree in a technical or scientific field. Master’s degree is highly preferred.
• 15+ years of field-level experience in hazardous technical work planning and execution, particularly in an industry requiring a high degree of efficiency and reliability.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Experience as a leader/manager involved in WPC program implementation as a management and operations at a DOE Office of Science FFRDC is highly desirable.
• Exceptional collaboration, communication, mentoring, and facilitation skills to form, lead and work in multi-disciplinary teams of scientists, technicians, subject matter experts, and managers in planning complex and high hazard work.
• Must have strong technical writing and presentation skills

Working Condition: 

• This position will require the ability and willingness to occasionally work extended hours to meet project milestones.
• Routine presence in high hazard environments.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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. EEO IS THE LAW

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.