Program Director

Summary: ARPA-E hires Program Directors (PD) with visionary ideas to help support the development of innovative energy technologies.

PD Responsibilities:

Program Development
Through appropriate technical and market analysis, and engagement with the ARPA‐E team and energy R&D communities, the PD develops a concept for an ARPA‐E program. He or she must then defend that concept in the face of challenging but constructive criticism from other ARPA‐E team members. Once through this crucible, the PD leads the drafting of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and manages all stages of the procurement process, which includes peer review of concept papers and full applications. This culminates in the PD recommending performer awards to agency leaders.

Project Management
Once a programs projects have been awarded, the PD actively manages that program, including full development of technical milestones and an intellectual property/commercialization strategy for each project through its completion. Management requires extensive, hands-on work with project performers in the field. The PD is responsible for adjusting, re‐scoping, extending, or canceling projects during the performance period. The PDs project portfolio includes all projects in his/her program area(s) and may include other ongoing ARPA‐E projects as required.

Other Duties
A PD carries ARPA‐Es endorsement as a thought leader both within DOE and to the external R&D community. A PD develops best practices as part of continually improving how ARPA‐E does business. A PD also evaluates other PD candidates, leads or serves on ad hoc groups as required for specific tasks, and provides peer review to other PDs program concepts.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Initial term of hire is three years, with renewal options.
ARPA-E will consider hiring individuals from universities and other nonprofit organizations via the Intergovernment Personnel Act (IPA).
U.S. citizenship is required.
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Required qualifications
Strong vision for specific program areas that are ripe for ARPA-E investment, i.e., those likely to develop transformational energy technologies
Relevant energy-related experience in academia, industry, and/or technology investment
Ability to span science and engineering disciplines and understand market requirements and realities, preferably with experience in starting a company and/or delivering a product to market
Strong background in communication, program management, and technology transfer
Demonstrated leadership in communicating a vision and bringing different communities together to catalyze something new; clear and authoritative decision-making
Deeply knowledgeable in at least one scientific/engineering area with demonstrated creativity/originality in using new approaches and connecting seemingly disparate ideas
Passionate about solving energy challenges, even if lacking previous direct experience in energy science and technology
Comfort with a high level of risk and uncertainty; ability to be flexible with regard to technical area, market assessment, and workload (substantial travel may be required)

Especially relevant backgrounds include, but are not limited to
Electrical power systems
Electrochemical energy storage and conversion
Photovoltaic energy conversion
Advanced engines/vehicle technologies
Chemical catalysis/reaction engineering for biofuels, industrial processes, and other energy applications
Biological approaches to energy conversion/biofuels
Low temperature waste heat recapture/thermodynamic and/or solid state cycles
Fossil energy conversion/carbon capture and conversion
Wind power/ocean and wave power/aerodynamics and fluid dynamics
Grid scale energy storage
Energy harvesting materials and devices
Building efficiency technologies/HVAC/building envelope/smart buildings
Advanced lighting technologies
Advanced materials for energy applications