AI Developer

Job Description

Job Description

• Must be able to work a hybrid schedule (3 days onsite, 2 days remote)
• Must be eligible to obtain a federal security clearance (U.S. citizen)

A Research and Development facility with the Department of Energy is seeking a highly motivated professional to design, develop, deploy, and support artificial intelligence, machine learning, and workflow-automation solutions that improve technology transfer operations. This role will partner with business, scientific, and technical stakeholders to translate operational needs into secure, practical, and scalable AI-enabled tools that improve efficiency, data quality, decision-making, and commercialization outcomes.

The position will support workflows involving invention disclosures, intellectual property management, agreements, technology marketing, market research, reporting, and portfolio management. Responsibilities include evaluating emerging AI/ML tools and methods; developing, supporting, and integrating models and workflows with existing systems where appropriate; and helping staff adopt new tools and processes.

This role also includes supporting responsible and ethical AI use in accordance with facility policies, software quality standards, project management requirements, and institutional guidelines.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with internal teams, other DOE laboratories, and external vendors and private-sector partners to identify and implement effective AI/ML solutions. The ideal candidate is a quick learner who can translate business needs into technical solutions, communicate effectively with nontechnical users, and advance the organization’s AI capabilities within a secure, compliant environment.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, test, and support AI/ML tools, models, and workflows that improve technology transfer and commercialization activities.
• Collaborate with business and scientific/technical stakeholders to understand needs, gather requirements, and recommend practical solutions.
• Support modernization of workflows related to invention disclosures, patents, agreements, market outreach, reporting, and portfolio management.
• Evaluate emerging AI/ML trends, tools, and technologies, including generative AI and agentic workflows, and provide recommendations for strategy and roadmaps.
• Help integrate AI-enabled solutions with databases, reporting tools, and other business systems.
• Support data analysis, workflow automation, reporting, dashboards, and decision-support tools.
• Assist in the creation of AI-enabled marketing, research, and commercialization support tools, including market analysis, partner identification, and technology summaries.
• Provide user support, training, and guidance to help staff adopt AI-enabled tools and workflows.
• Ensure responsible, ethical, secure, and compliant use of AI in accordance with ORNL policies and guidance.
• Collaborate with other DOE labs and external partners to strengthen ORNL’s AI/ML capabilities and best practices.
• Adhere to ORNL and ITSD software quality assurance, project management, and ITIL practices.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, information systems, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, including recent AI/ML experience; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience developing and deploying AI/ML solutions in cloud and/or on-premises environments, including secure environments.
• Experience gathering requirements, designing solutions, and delivering business-focused results.
• Familiarity with modern AI/ML tools and platforms such as Azure AI services, OpenAI APIs, Azure AI Foundry, Google Vertex AI, AWS Bedrock, Hugging Face, LangChain, GitHub, GitLab, or similar frameworks.
• Experience with workflows, automation, analytics, data models, or reporting environments.
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users.
• Ability to work collaboratively across technical and business teams while handling multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a related field.
• Experience with agentic AI, workflow orchestration, or development of AI agents for specific tasks.
• Experience with Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Visual Studio, or Visual Studio Code.
• Familiarity with vector databases, graph databases, multidimensional or tabular modeling.
• Experience leading projects or programs involving AI/ML, data science, analytics, or low-code/no-code tools.
• Familiarity with ORNL business processes, SharePoint technologies, or commercialization-related systems.
• Experience supporting training, adoption, and change management for new tools and processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and customer-service orientation.