Senior Program Manager, Battery Workforce Initiative

Argonne’s Center for Transportation Research seeks applicants for a Senior Program Manager to launch a national workforce development initiative to build a diverse U.S. battery workforce. The Battery Workforce Initiative will support the nation’s global competitiveness within battery manufacturing, while strengthening the domestic economy and clean energy supply chains. Executed in partnership with Argonne’s [Register to View] alliance, the Battery Workforce Initiative will help enable the alliance’s mission to accelerate the development of a robust and secure domestic supply chain for lithium-based batteries and advance U.S. battery technology leadership through scientific R&D, STEM education and workforce development.

The Senior Program Manager will serve as a subject matter expert for advanced batteries, charging, manufacturing and safety. The position will also lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, educators, and program managers in the development of a comprehensive battery and EV education and training initiative and supporting Learning Management System (LMS) and will lead the execution of high-impact experiential learning experiences including a student battery competition, to prepare the workforce for a range of high-demand positions throughout the battery supply chain. Emphasis will be focused on recruitment, retention and matriculation of women and underrepresented minorities as well as reskilling and upskilling displaced workers for future clean energy and mobility positions, utilizing research and learning pedagogy that benefit these and other underserved groups.

To support the initiative, the Senior Program Manager will also establish and lead a consortium of government and industry sponsors, national battery associations, universities, vocational schools, training centers and other community partners. The position will also partner with national battery trade associations to track, collect and analyze industry workforce data across multiple sectors to identify skills gaps and emerging workforce opportunities.

The Senior Program Manager will utilize their prior experience in battery technology research and development and/or manufacturing to deliver the latest cutting-edge technologies, tools, processes, best practices and industry standards to the initiative. The position will also lead program development and proposal writing for the initiative, develop goals and objectives to support the success and growth of the program and team, and will ensure the team achieves the program’s priorities, timeline and stakeholder expectations.

Position Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s and 12+ years, Masters with 7+ years, or Doctorate and 6+ years’ experience.

• The successful candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of experience in battery manufacturing, battery R&D or electric vehicle engineering and with leading a multidisciplinary team.

• Knowledge of advanced batteries and battery safety best practices.

• Knowledge of advanced powertrains including battery electric vehicles, vehicle components and controls, as well as test equipment.

• Knowledge of engineering processes, best practices, and industry standards.

• Knowledge in training and/or educational instruction, including learning pedagogy for different learning profiles.

• Knowledge of Learning Management System (LMS) tools and other educational technology, including tools for delivering e-learning.

• Knowledge of design for equity and user-centered design principles.

• Skills in program management, including managing a project team, project schedules, budgets and meeting project goals and objectives.

• Skill in leadership, time management and working as a team member.

• Skill in fundraising and interacting with senior-level external sponsors.

• Skilled oral and written communications, including professional presentations and technical writing.

• Skill in MS Word, Excel, Project, Access, and PowerPoint computer software.

• A successful candidate must have the ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior entrepreneurial or start-up experience.

Job Family

Job Profile

Worker Type

Time Type

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Please note that all Argonne employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. All successful applicants will be required to provide their COVID-19 vaccination verification as a condition of employment, subject to limited legally recognized exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination.