Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) for the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR)

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is hiring an Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) for the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) to join our senior leadership team.

ATR is not just a reactor; it is one of the most consequential scientific instruments in the world. Operating at up to 250 MW with unmatched thermal neutron flux and a uniquely flexible cloverleaf design, ATR is the nation's highest-capacity test reactor and a unique national capability with validated mission need through at least 2085. It is the backbone of the U.S. Navy's Naval Reactors program, a critical platform for advanced fuel qualification and next-generation reactor development, and a key enabler of NASA's space propulsion and isotope production missions. No other facility in the world does what ATR does, and the work conducted here directly shapes the future of nuclear energy, national security, and space exploration.

Leading ATR means leading at the intersection of science, strategy, and national mission. The ALD for ATR provides visionary scientific leadership, operational excellence oversight, and strategic stewardship across ATR and supporting R&D infrastructure. Central to this role is the faithful stewardship of ATR's world-leading capabilities—ensuring the reactor operates consistently, reliably, and at the highest levels of performance so that its scientific mission is never compromised. This is a rare opportunity to serve as the leader of a world-class enterprise at a pivotal moment: modernizing a premiere national asset, inspiring a multidisciplinary workforce, and ensuring that ATR remains the global standard-bearer for irradiated materials and nuclear fuels research for generations to come. As a senior member of INL's Laboratory leadership team, the ALD will help shape not only the future of ATR, but the trajectory of the Laboratory and the nation's nuclear and national security enterprise.

This position reports directly to the INL Laboratory Director.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

Strategic and Scientific Leadership

• Develop and execute a forward-looking integrated strategy ensuring ATR maintains world leadership in irradiated materials and nuclear fuels research capabilities.
• Lead multidisciplinary research teams advancing nuclear energy, national security, and emerging reactor concepts, including molten salt, sodium, and microreactor technologies.
• Shape and deliver an innovation agenda integrating advanced instrumentation, digital engineering, and next-generation experimental platforms.
• Collaborate and partner with peer ALDs across INL directorates — Nuclear Science & Technology, EES&T, N&HS, and MFC  — to achieve a unified science and technology strategy for the Laboratory.
• Collaborate and partner with peer Management and Operations Executive Directors to achieve unified Laboratory strategies and objectives.
   

Operational Excellence and Mission Assurance

• Provide leadership ensuring safe, secure, and environmentally compliant operations across ATR and all associated facilities.
• Oversee long-term lifecycle planning, modernization, infrastructure renewal, and resilience for aging reactor systems and mission-critical capabilities.
• Champion INL's Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS) and hold workforce accountable for maintaining all research and operational activities within the approved safety envelope.
• Direct performance excellence in reactor operations, outages, experiment execution, and mission availability.      
• Achieve or exceed published reactor milestones.
   

People, Culture, and Organizational Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop an engaged, high-performing research and operations workforce grounded in INL's mission, values, and expectations.
• Develop, maintain, and lead a robust human capital management plan, including succession planning, talent development, and performance management across all ATR divisions.
• Ensure ATR is adequately staffed with trained personnel, provided appropriate development opportunities, and consistently rewarded for performance.
• Foster an inclusive, engaged, innovative, and safety-centric culture.
   

Financial and Business Management

• Develop and execute a financial model that supports the ATR mission within defined cost, scope, schedule, and regulatory requirements, while continuously implementing cost efficiency initiatives.
• Set strategy and allocate resources within approved budgets for business development efforts and strategic initiatives.
• Lead and monitor performance against contractual measures, laboratory strategic objectives, and stewardship assignments.
   

Customer, Partnership, and External Engagement

• Serve as INL's institutional lead for major ATR stakeholders including DOE Nuclear Energy (NE-3), Naval Reactors, NNSA, NASA, academia, and industry.
• Represent INL and ATR across national and international forums, including preparation of presentations, briefings, and senior-level correspondence.
• Build and sustain trusted, long-term partnerships with current and prospective customers, communicating the value of ATR's unique capabilities to senior national stakeholders.
   

Job Information

Pay Range: $420,000 - $490,000 — Compensation decisions at Idaho National Laboratory are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials. This position is eligible to participate in BEA's incentive compensation program. 

TDP: This is a testing designated position; you will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and periodic drug testing throughout the term of your employment.