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LBNF DUNE-US Deputy Director Near Site

Fermilab · Batavia, IL · $196,400–$258,400 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 10, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about the largest project you have led under DOE O 413.3B or a similar capital project framework. What was your role at each critical decision?

What they are checking: Whether they have real experience carrying scope through DOE critical decisions, which this role is accountable for.

The DUNE collaboration is international and scientists have their own priorities. How do you lead people who don't report to you?

What they are checking: Whether they can earn cooperation through credibility and clear plans, since collaborators are not employees.

Tell me about a time a safety or environmental issue threatened schedule on a project you led. How did you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they put safety ahead of schedule in practice, not just in words, on a large construction effort.

Tell me about a stakeholder you had to deliver bad news to. How did you do it?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate problems early and directly to the Directorate and DOE, which protects the project's credibility.

What would you do

How do you keep a near site scope on cost and schedule when it depends on conventional facilities, beamline work and detector delivery from collaborators?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage dependencies across many organizations where they do not control every piece.

Your earned value report shows the near site scope slipping and burning contingency faster than planned. What do you do in the first two weeks?

What they are checking: Whether they read performance data honestly and act early rather than hoping a later quarter will make it up.

How do you work with the DOE Federal Project Director and Program Manager when you disagree about a baseline change?

What they are checking: Whether they can hold a position with federal oversight while keeping trust and following the change control process.

Describe how you would set up the near site team in your first ninety days.

What they are checking: Whether they can assess people, scope and gaps quickly and create clear ownership under the Project Director.

How do you balance strategic planning for the long-term facility with the day-to-day pressure of current milestones?

What they are checking: Whether they can keep the long view while still hitting near-term technical, cost and schedule goals.

About the work

How do you prepare for an independent project review or DOE review so it goes well?

What they are checking: Whether they know what reviewers look for and keep documentation ready year-round instead of scrambling.

How do you build and manage a risk register that people actually use?

What they are checking: Whether risk management drives decisions on their projects or exists only to satisfy a requirement.

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The full job description

As published by Fermilab.

The expected hiring range for this position is: $196,400.00-$258,400.00. 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 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 is seeking an LBNF DUNE-US Deputy Director for our Near Site who will report directly to the LBNF/DUNE-US Project Director. The Deputy Project Director is responsible for the successful execution of their assigned scope of work for the LBNF/DUNE Project, in conformance with the requirements of DOE O 413.3b and other applicable orders, and meeting the established goals for technical, cost, schedule, safety and environmental performance. You will provide programmatic leadership, strategic planning, and general oversight of this scope of work and serves as the primary point of contact to external stakeholders and collaborators. What your day-to-day as the LBNF DUNE-US Deputy Director for our Near Site at Fermilab will look like: • Serving as the the primary point of contact for the assigned scope of work with the Fermilab Directorate, DOE Program Manager and Federal Project Director, the rest of the LBNF/DUNE Project and the DUNE collaboration leadership and external institutions engaged in the project. • Maintaining close communication with the LBNF/DUNE-US Project Director or delegated representative, other institutional partners, and all boards and advisory groups on the progress of the assigned scope of work. • Coordinating with international and other partners in accordance with agreements with partners. • Working closely with other elements of the LBNF/DUNE Project and the DUNE collaboration leadership on mutual issues and concerns through established structures such as the EFIG and make periodic reports to the Collaboration to ensure good communication. • Representing this assigned scope of work on the project to the broader physics community. • Confirming final acceptance of major systems and facilities; approve the start of operations. • Assuring safety, security, and administrative performance of the facilities subprojects. • Participating in the DOE Integrated Project Team in accordance with the DOE Preliminary Project Execution Plan. • Coordinating closely with the DOE Federal Project Director on all aspects of planning, budgeting, and project execution for the assigned scope of work. • Managing all human resources actions for the assigned area including hiring, training, promotions, performance and merit reviews, disciplinary actions, and terminations, as may be appropriate. • Managing staffing selection in assigned area in conjunction with the LBNF/DUNE Project Director and others as appropriate. • Abiding by and being responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position. Skills and Attributes for Success: • Master’s Degree with a Discipline in Business, Engineering or relevant degree • A minimum of 10+ years of large project management experience. Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: • Large project execution. • Interaction and negotiation with national and international partners • Strong engineering/construction/project management background with international collaboration 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. Pre-Employment Screening: Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug-free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening. HSPD-12 In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment. Foreign Government Sponsored Activities Fermilab employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab's Office of General Counsel. 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. 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.

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