Technical Product Manager

The expected hiring range for this position is:

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 the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

About the Role:

Fermilab's Accelerator Directorate Controls Department seeks an experienced Technical Product Manager to provide technical leadership for the ACORN project, focusing on the development and delivery of 140+ user applications for Fermilab's particle accelerator complex. This role is crucial for ensuring the focused, efficient, and user-centered delivery of a consistent and coherent user experience via the ACNET control system. You will define the strategic product vision, guide tactical execution across multiple development teams, and ensure seamless collaboration between developers, physicists, engineers, operators, and other stakeholders. This position requires technical leadership on highly complex software projects within a scientific research environment.

* This position is not eligible for sponsorship. *

* The position is for a period of up to three (3) years, with the potential for extension considered on a yearly basis thereafter.*

What your day-to-day as a Technical Product Manager at Fermilab will look like:

• Defining, implementing, and refining an iterative development cycle that internalizes user feedback for accelerator applications.
• Providing technical leadership in the design, coding, testing, debugging, and documentation of new accelerator control system software or significant enhancements to existing software.
• Developing and managing the product roadmap and backlog for accelerator user applications.
• Working closely with development teams (initially two, with potential for expansion) to ensure alignment with the project schedule and priorities.
• Ensuring applications are user-motivated, meet acceptance criteria, and contribute to the overall on-time delivery goals of the ACORN project.
• Translating complex technical concepts and stakeholder needs into clear requirements, user stories, and detailed specifications.
• Facilitating effective communication and collaboration between development teams, stakeholders, and users across different departments and scientific/technical disciplines.
• Managing project progress, ensuring the quality of software development, and proactively adapt to changing priorities and requirements.
• Contributing to and leading design efforts, regularly gathering requirements and feedback directly from users and stakeholders.
• Acting as a primary contact for application issues, investigating, localizing, resolving, or directing others to resolve problems.
• Providing guidance and training to less experienced team members.
• May supervise, instruct, direct, and check the work of others in a group.
• Abide by and be responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health, and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.

Required Skills and Attributes for Success:

• High school diploma with 8+ years of experience developing complex software projects.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field with 6+ years of experience developing complex software projects.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

(Required)

• Strong technical product management and product ownership skills.
• Proven experience managing large-scale software development projects, preferably in an iterative or Agile environment.
• Excellent communication (written and oral) and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts effectively.
• Detailed knowledge of software development practices using a modern high-level language (e.g., Rust, Java, Python).
• Ability to efficiently multi-task and switch contexts among diverse technical and non-technical activities.

(Desired)

• Understanding of UX design principles and user-centered design.
• Experience working in scientific research, high-tech, or industrial control system environment.
• Familiarity with particle accelerators or complex control systems.
• Strong understanding of relational database concepts.

Work Arrangement:
Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final.

• Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia office.

Benefits/Perks:

Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid time off
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Onsite day care

Why Fermilab:
Fermilab is America's premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening

Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive, and drug-free work environment. As part of the hiring process, candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of these screenings.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus
Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.

What To Expect Next:
We'll be in touch! If your qualifications are in alignment with the position requirements, one of our recruiters will be reaching out to schedule a phone interview to learn more about your career interests and goals. In the meantime, we encourage you to check us out on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or our About Us page.