George Ulrich
About George Ulrich
George Ulrich serves as the Program Manager for the Radioisotope Power Systems Materials, Production and Technology Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he has worked since 2013. He collaborates with various national laboratories and contractors to advance high-temperature materials for critical missions.
Work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
George Ulrich has been serving as the Program Manager for the Radioisotope Power Systems Materials, Production and Technology Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) since 2013. In this role, he collaborates with multiple national laboratories, including Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and Sandia National Laboratories (SNLA), as well as contractors like the University of Dayton Research Institute, Teledyne Energy Systems, Lockheed Martin, and Aerojet Rocketdyne. His work promotes ORNL's position as the lead materials laboratory for the national Radioisotope Power Systems Program, focusing on the development and production of high-temperature materials for significant missions.
Previous Roles at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Prior to his current position, George Ulrich held several roles at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He served as the Group Leader for Alloy Behavior and Design from 2014 to 2021. Before that, he was the Assistant Program Manager and Task Manager for Clad Vent Set and Light Weight Radioiso from 1996 to 2013. His extensive experience at ORNL spans over 25 years, contributing to various aspects of materials science and engineering.
Career Background in Metallurgy and Engineering
George Ulrich began his career as a Steel Metallurgist at Republic Engineered Steels Inc from 1977 to 1980. He then transitioned to the Y-12 National Security Complex, where he worked as a Production/Process Engineer from 1981 to 1987 and as a Development/Clad Vent Set Manufacturing Engineer from 1987 to 1996. His background in metallurgy and engineering has shaped his expertise in materials development and production.
Education and Academic Credentials
George Ulrich earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, where he studied from 1976 to 1981. His academic foundation in metallurgy has been instrumental in his professional roles, particularly in the development of high-temperature materials for radioisotope power systems.
Professional Relationships and Collaborations
In his role, George Ulrich cultivates relationships with key organizations, including the Department of Energy's Nuclear Energy division (DOE NE-75), NASA, and the DOE-ORNL Site Office. His engagement with these entities supports the advancement of the Radioisotope Power Systems Program and ensures the continuity of program capabilities through effective succession planning and training.