Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Group Lead for the Data Acquisition (DAQ) Software Group to manage and lead a team of control software engineers to develop, maintain, and support software for neutron instrument data acquisition, sample environment equipment, and experiment planning.
Requirements
- Demonstrated technical expertise which includes one or more of the following: data acquisition systems for scientific research; high-level software for assisting scientific experiments; or software and hardware solutions for scientific user facilities.
- Experience managing or architecting complex data acquisition or control systems, preferably those based on EPICS, and supporting multiple scientific instruments.
- Hands-on experience with relevant hardware and software technologies, such as detector readout systems, high-throughput data acquisition pipelines, real-time computing, frame grabbers, FPGA-based systems, or instrument control hardware
- Expertise with modern software development practices including version control, CI/CD, testing frameworks, configuration management, and scalable computing architectures.
- Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC), data management workflows, or large-scale data reduction/analysis systems used in scientific research.
- Knowledge of cyber security policies and best practices relevant to scientific computing and control system environments, including DOE or other government requirements.
- Experience with EPICS framework and integrating various neutron detector systems, sample environment equipment, and experiment planning tools for reliable and continuous instrument operation.
Responsibilities
- Develop and articulate a long-term vision and strategy for maintaining, modernizing, and enhancing data acquisition, software, and computing infrastructure that supports the neutron scattering instrument suites.
- Plan and lead major modernization efforts, including the transition of instrument control systems from LabVIEW to EPICS, ensuring robust architectures and sustainable solutions.
- Lead by example through hands-on technical contributions, offering architectural guidance, reviewing designs, and mentoring staff on modern software, computing, and data-acquisition practices.
- Ensure compliance with established procedures, standards, and policies, while also developing new policies and best practices that promote efficient, coherent, and maintainable software and computing workflows.
- Support the Section Head in operational and administrative activities, including preparation of group budgets, contribution to monthly DOE reports, tracking progress of work, and evaluating completed tasks.
- Coach and mentor staff in Battelle’s 'Safe Conduct of Research' principles, ensuring that safety, integrity, and responsible conduct guide all work practices.
- Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.
Other
- A BS degree in computer science, computer engineering, physics science or a related field with at least 15 years of relevant experience; an MS degree with a minimum of 12 years of experience; or a PhD with at least 6 years of experience.
- Demonstrated experience in leading and managing technical teams and projects to deliver as planned.
- Ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A.
- Must pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.
