Department Manager, Utility Systems

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a senior infrastructure leader to serve as Department Manager of Utility Systems Infrastructure within the Facilities Division. This role provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, financial management, and long-term infrastructure planning for the laboratory’s campus-wide utility systems supporting mission-critical scientific research facilities across Argonne’s 1,500-acre campus.

Reporting to the Facilities Division Director, this position is responsible for the reliability, resilience, modernization, and long‑term planning of the laboratory’s electrical, thermal, and water utility systems. The Manager ensures the safe and reliable 24/7 operation of critical infrastructure while leading long‑term capital planning and modernization initiatives that support the laboratory’s scientific mission and future growth.

The Manager leads a multidisciplinary organization of engineers, supervisors, operators, skilled trades personnel, and contractors responsible for operating and maintaining Argonne’s central utility infrastructure systems and ensuring the reliability, performance, and long-term modernization of the laboratory’s critical infrastructure. The Department Manager serves as a key member of the Facilities Division leadership team and contributes to the development and execution of divisional infrastructure strategy supporting the Laboratory mission.

Primary Responsibilities

Utility Infrastructure Operations and Reliability

• Provide leadership for the safe and reliable operation of campus‑wide utility infrastructure
• Oversee high‑voltage electrical transmission and distribution systems
• Oversee central steam generation plants and steam distribution networks
• Oversee central chilled water plants and chilled water distribution systems
• Oversee potable water distribution systems and sewer collection systems
• Oversee water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities supporting campus operations
• Ensure coordination of utility infrastructure operations with environmental compliance, safety, facility operations, research programs, and other Laboratory organizations to support mission-critical operations.
• Lead for the technical parameters & capacity needs of the Labs energy and water sources including power, natural gas and domestic water.
• Manages the financial budgets, effort and resources of a $ 12 M Department budget and a $ 40 M Energy budget.

Strategic Infrastructure Planning

• Serve as a primary Facilities Division liaison with the Department Of Energy Argonne Site Office (ASO) on matters related to energy procurement, combined heat and power (CHP) systems, and associated contractual and operational requirements.
• Lead development of long‑term utility infrastructure master plans supporting laboratory growth
• Establish multi‑year capital infrastructure investment strategies
• Identify infrastructure renewal, resiliency, and modernization priorities
• Coordinate infrastructure planning with laboratory leadership, scientific programs, and external engineering partners
• Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise supporting laboratory strategic infrastructure initiatives

Reliability and Asset Management

• Establish reliability‑centered maintenance strategies for mission‑critical infrastructure
• Implement predictive and preventative maintenance programs across utility systems
• Lead asset lifecycle management and infrastructure renewal planning
• Monitor infrastructure performance and reliability metrics to support continuous improvement

Operational Support and Emergency Response

• Provide oversight for off‑hours infrastructure support teams and emergency response capabilities
• Ensure operational readiness for major infrastructure incidents or utility disruptions
• Coordinate response and recovery efforts during major infrastructure outages

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Department of Energy requirements, environmental regulations, and applicable industry standards
• Promote a strong safety culture across engineering, operations, and maintenance organizations
• Ensure infrastructure operations align with Argonne safety and operational policies

Energy Strategy and Sustainability

• Ensure energy efficiency and conservation opportunities are evaluated and incorporated into infrastructure modernization and capital investments
• Support laboratory‑wide energy management strategies
• Identify opportunities for advanced energy technologies and system optimization
• Support institutional sustainability and energy stewardship objectives

Position Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (accredited engineering program & degree), or equivalent
• 10 years leadership experience managing complex utility infrastructure systems
• Experience managing both engineering teams and union trade workforce in an industrial, institutional, or campus environment
• 15+ years demonstrated experience overseeing large‑scale infrastructure operations, contractor services, developing maintenance, reliability, and infrastructure asset management strategies

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or related advanced technical degree, or equivalent experience demonstrating strong business and financial acumen.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Experience managing utilities within a national laboratory, research campus, or large institutional infrastructure environment
• Experience leading large capital infrastructure programs and modernization initiatives
• Experience supporting long‑range infrastructure planning and energy strategy

Argonne Core Values

All activities, as they apply to work performed by self and working with others will be executed in compliance with the core values of Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity and Teamwork.

Job Family

Professional Technical (PT)

Job Profile

Facilities Engineering Leader 2

Worker Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $150,000.00 - $221,000.00.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.