Chief, Energy Storage & Materials - Characterization Section

Job Overview OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED US CITIZENS. This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 11:45 EST, 18 November 2026. As Chief of the Energy Storage & Materials Characterization Section, you will spearhead groundbreaking research into energetic and reactive materials that define the capabilities of next-generation munition systems. In this role, you will lead and mentor an elite, multidisciplinary scientific workforce while modernizing operations through the integration of advanced computational modeling and AI/ML workflows. Partnering across the DoW, national laboratories, and industry, you will translate strategic laboratory discovery into decisive, real-world defense advantages. Position Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To This position provides supervisory oversight for the Energy Storage & Materials Characterization Section and drives alignment with organizational priorities, mission objectives, and statutory requirements. The incumbent will lead a multidisciplinary workforce and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-impact results. Leads, mentors, and develops a world-class, multidisciplinary scientific workforce. Directs day-to-day operations, performance/contribution management, conflict resolution, and personnel recognition, fostering an inclusive environment of high performance. Leads and conducts research into the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties characterization of energetic & reactive materials and advanced munition systems. Cultivates a world-class safety culture within the section by empowering personnel to identify hazards, establishing rigorous operational risk management protocols, and institutionalizing safety as a core warfighting capability. Provides strategic leadership, vision, and direction — responsible for ensuring mission execution and organizational effectiveness, while driving strategic modernization by integrating advanced computational tools and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning workflows into energetic materials research. Allocates resources and ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational standards. Drives the translation of directorate, division, and branch mission and vision into executable strategies by providing critical guidance to the workforce. Identifies risks, assesses impacts, and implements mitigation strategies to ensure operational resilience and mission continuity. Drives data-informed decision-making and champions process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Cultivates strategic coalitions across the DoW, national laboratories, academia, and defense industry partners to accelerate the transition of advanced munitions technologies. Fosters a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning to build, grow, and maintain the deep, multidisciplinary expertise essential for a premier lab mission. Required Qualifications US Citizenship. Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance. This has been designated as a Tier 2 (Practitioner) acquisition coded position in Engineering & Technology Management. Selectee must submit an annual OGE 450. Desired Qualifications Experience related to or supporting energetic materials mission area concept development, science and technology, research and development, test and evaluation, and/or program management. Leading and conducting research in the characterization and testing of energetic materials. Experience in the supervision of engineers or scientists in a laboratory environment. Demonstrated ability leading or guiding cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams to resolve technical or warfighter challenges. Experience distilling strategic and/or leadership guidance into actionable plans or courses of action. Demonstrated experience defining and leading the safety culture of an organization. Diversity of experience including successfully completed assignments in multiple organizations across a…

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