D. Phillip (Phil) Harless joined ORNL’s Isotope Processing and Manufacturing Division in October 2023, bringing nearly four decades of experience from the Y-12 National Security Complex. Phil serves as a consultant supporting the integration of technical operations, process improvement, and work control systems.
At Y-12, Phil most recently served as the Senior Technical Advisor for the Research & Development Organization, supporting ~200 personnel across 80+ laboratories and four facilities. In this role, he led efforts in technical troubleshooting, operational investigations, and process optimization. He developed and delivered training programs in lab safety, work control, and conduct of R&D, including a custom “What-If” hazard analysis course for Principal Investigators and Operations Safety Board (OSB) members. His technical focus included the design and demonstration of reclamation processes for high-value accountable materials such as uranium and lithium.
Previously, Phil served as Director of Operations (DOO) for the Development organization, fulfilling the ConOps roles of Operations Manager, Shift Technical Advisor, and Shift Manager. He authored the “Y-12 Development Work Control Manual” and its associated forms, and led the organization’s work control process, POD/POW coordination, maintenance prioritization, and issues management. He also co-chaired the OSB and led a multidisciplinary operations team including Facilities, Materials/Waste, Security, and Training Managers.
Earlier in his career, Phil was the Senior Design Engineer for Development, responsible for the design and deployment of uranium and lithium process equipment, gloveboxes, and tooling. He holds a patent for a uranium dissolution and filtration system and is the inventor of the “Harless-Bubbler,” a glovebox pressure control system now manufactured commercially and deployed in over 100 positive-pressure gloveboxes. The design is also adaptable for leak detection in negative-pressure systems.
Phil retired from Y-12 after nearly 40 years of service and now applies his experience to advancing ORNL’s isotope production mission. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and an A.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Northeast State University. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma engineering honor societies.
Outside of work, Phil and his wife Tammy enjoy spending time with family (TN & FL) and managing/planning events and car shows through the East Tennessee Corvette Club and West Towne Christian Church.