Section Head, Operations, Accelerator Division, FIP

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Fundamental Interactions and Particles (FIP) Directorate advances Brookhaven National Laboratory's mission in accelerator science, nuclear physics, particle physics, and the successful delivery and operation of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). The Accelerator Division is responsible for the operation, maintenance, improvement, and future development of Brookhaven's accelerator complex in support of world-class scientific research and national user facilities.

The Operations Section provides operational leadership for Brookhaven's accelerator complex by ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation, maintenance, commissioning, and upgrade of accelerator facilities. The Section integrates accelerator operations, maintenance planning, installation activities, machine studies, and operational readiness while supporting scientific user programs, major facility upgrades, and the transition to the Electron-Ion Collider.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Operations Section Head reports to the Accelerator Division Director and provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for the Operations Section.

The Section Head has line management responsibility for the Main Control Room and the Accelerator Operations Support Group, ensuring the coordinated planning and execution of accelerator operations, maintenance, installation, commissioning, and machine studies across the accelerator complex.

The Section Head is responsible for establishing operational priorities, developing staffing and resource plans, and ensuring the Accelerator Division delivers safe, reliable, and efficient operations in support of Brookhaven's scientific mission and the Electron-Ion Collider. The incumbent works closely with Accelerator Physics, Engineering, Technical Support, EIC Project leadership, Experimental Facilities, and Laboratory Operations to integrate operational activities across the accelerator complex.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Organizational Management

• Lead and manage the Operations Section, providing strategic direction for accelerator operations and maintenance activities.
• Provide direct line supervision of the Main Control Room Group Leader and the Accelerator Operations Support Group Leader.
• Establish Section priorities, staffing plans, workforce development strategies, and resource allocations consistent with Division and Directorate objectives.
• Recruit, mentor, develop, and evaluate supervisory and technical staff while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing organization.
• Promote operational excellence, continuous improvement, and organizational effectiveness throughout the Section.

Accelerator Operations

• Oversee MCR activities including maintenance of the Accelerator Safety Envelope (ASE), environmental stewardship, emergency response, work planning, and maintenance of operations procedures
• Provide overall leadership for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Brookhaven's accelerator complex.
• Ensure effective coordination of routine operations, machine studies, accelerator commissioning, maintenance activities, shutdown periods, and operational recovery.
• Establish operational strategies that maximize accelerator availability, reliability, and scientific productivity.
• Oversee operational readiness for new accelerator systems, facility upgrades, and major installation activities.
• Oversee reporting of operations metrics to the DOE.

Maintenance and Installation Coordination

• Direct planning and coordination of maintenance, installation, and upgrade activities across accelerator systems.
• Ensure effective integration of engineering, technical, facilities, and operations organizations during maintenance outages and installation campaigns.
• Balance operational priorities, scientific user requirements, project milestones, and infrastructure constraints to optimize facility availability.
• Support planning and execution of accelerator modernization initiatives and the integration of EIC construction activities with ongoing operations.

Strategic Planning and Project Support

• Partner with Accelerator Division leadership and EIC Project management to align operational capabilities with Laboratory priorities.
• Support major accelerator improvement projects through operational planning, commissioning support, and resource coordination.
• Participate in technical reviews, operational readiness reviews, configuration management, and risk management activities.
• Develop long-range operational strategies that improve accelerator performance, maintainability, and operational resilience.

Safety and Operational Excellence

• Champion Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) principles throughout the Operations Section.
• Ensure work planning and control processes are effectively implemented and maintained.
• Promote a strong conduct of operations culture across all operational activities.
• Monitor operational performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, reliability, efficiency, and workforce effectiveness.

Collaboration and Communication

• Build strong partnerships with Accelerator Physics, Engineering, Technical Support, Experimental Facilities, EIC Project leadership, and Laboratory Operations.
• Represent the Operations Section during Laboratory reviews, technical committees, operational planning meetings, and external interactions.
• Communicate operational priorities, performance metrics, and strategic initiatives to Division leadership and stakeholders.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in Physics, Engineering, Accelerator Science, or a related STEM discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience supporting accelerator operations, scientific facilities, or complex technical infrastructure, including at least 6 years of demonstrated leadership/management experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing multidisciplinary technical or operational organizations.
• Experience coordinating accelerator operations, maintenance, commissioning, or major installation activities.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate engineering, scientific, technical, and operations organizations to achieve common objectives.
• Thorough understanding of accelerator operations, work planning and control, integrated maintenance planning, and conduct of operations.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to working safely, acting ethically, and taking personal accountability for operational excellence.
• Familiarity with DOE Order 420.2D, Safety of Accelerators.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced degree in Physics, Accelerator Physics, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting DOE Office of Science accelerator facilities or major scientific user facilities.
• Experience managing accelerator shutdowns, commissioning campaigns, and facility startup activities.
• Familiarity with DOE Integrated Safety Management, Conduct of Operations, and project execution practices.
• Experience supporting major accelerator construction or modernization projects, including the Electron-Ion Collider.

Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements

• Demonstrated commitment to Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q).
• Ensure safety is fully integrated into accelerator operations, maintenance, commissioning, and installation activities.
• Ensure compliance with Laboratory policies, DOE requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.

Other Information

• Position requires full-time on-site presence.
• Participation in accelerator commissioning, maintenance outages, operational recovery efforts, and major installation campaigns may require extended or flexible work schedules.
• Occasional domestic and international travel may be required.
• Valid driver's license may be required.
• For consideration, please apply by September 9, 2026.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $184400 - $306100 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program

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About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

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