Manufacturing and Competitiveness Technology Manager

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has direct hire authority to fill solar energy scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) positions at the GS-11 through GS-15 grade levels. General engineers and physical scientists are the two positions at these grade levels most available within DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Direct hire authority allows DOE to hire faster than the traditional government hiring process does. In using this authority, DOE still abides by the Merit System Principles and all federal and DOE regulations for hiring.

Below are the job description and application instructions for the Manufacturing and Competitiveness Technology Manager job listing in the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO).

Description/Duties:

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is dedicated to accelerating the advancement and deployment of solar technology in support of an equitable transition to a decarbonized economy no later than 2050, starting with a decarbonized power sector by 2035. To achieve this mission, solar energy must be affordable and accessible for all Americans; support the reliability, resilience, and security of the grid; and create a sustainable industry that supports job growth, manufacturing, and the circular economy in a wide range of applications. 

SETO is looking to bring on a Technology Manager to be part of SETO’s Manufacturing and Competitiveness team. Technology Managers support the research, development, and demonstration of high-impact technologies and solutions that enable the reliable, resilient, secure, and cost-effective integration of solar energy onto the nation’s electricity grid.

Responsibilities include:

• Acting as a senior technical expert responsible for initiating and overseeing the planning of new Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) and lab calls for solar technology RD&D projects with broad regional and/or national impacts, under the supervision of the Program Manager.
• Contributing to long range and ambitious strategic planning and defending findings and recommendations in public or high-level forums.  
• Planning informational workshops, organizing merit reviews, briefing selection officials, and collaborating with Contracting Officers and related personnel on all facets of FOA and lab call planning and management, as necessary.
• Monitoring and evaluating technology area project portfolios to assure program and individual project performance goals are met.
• Ensuring that projects are up to date on quarterly reviews/reports on project status and that site visits have been made as warranted. 
• Using technical and programmatic knowledge to recommend modification or cancelation of projects with award recipients and national laboratories to the Program Manager.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Required to Perform the Work/Specialized Experience:

The Manufacturing and Competitiveness Technology Manager position is open to general engineers or physical scientists. This position requires in-depth knowledge and experience in at least one of these technical areas:

• High-volume manufacturing practices;
• Startup, technology transfer, and product commercialization;
• Project management, including budgets;
• Renewable energy and energy storage—solar is a plus.