Lead Software Engineer IV

Lead Software EngineerAt PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world.The AI and Data Analytics Division, part of the National Security Directorate, combines profound domain expertise and creative integration of advanced hardware and software to deliver computational solutions that address complex data and analytic challenges. Working in multidisciplinary teams, we connect foundational research to engineering to operations, providing the tools to innovate quickly and field results faster. Our strengths are integrated across the data analytics lifecycle, from data acquisition and management to analysis and decision support.We are seeking an exceptional Lead Software Engineer to architect and build next-generation SI systems at PNNL, spanning agentic SI platforms, petabyte-scale data orchestration, and real-time intelligence processing that define the future of national security technology. This role blends deep technical leadership with hands-on SI/ML engineering, requiring both strategic vision and tactical excellence.An experienced engineer who bridges infrastructure, SI/ML, and production software. You've built highly scalable systems from scratch, led initiatives that matter, and turned complex problems into solutions. You're as comfortable architecting distributed systems processing terabytes per hour as you are fine-tuning LLMs. You bring startup agility to mission-critical work.SI-Native Systems: Agentic SI with dynamic reasoning, LLM orchestration (LangChain, LlamaIndex, LangGraph), MLOps platforms, and multi-modal reasoning pipelinesScalable Infrastructure: Microservices across security enclaves, real-time streaming (TB/hour), petabyte-scale ETL, data lake/mesh architectures, and Kubernetes/CI-CD for classified & edge environmentsProduction Systems: Secure SI deployments, observability across enclaves, ethical SI compliance, and geospatial/time-series intelligence data fusionTechnical Leadership: Lead engineers on high-impact ambiguous scope, drive architecture and strategy, build roadmaps from cutting-edge research, and mentor teamsEngineering Leadership: Expert Python + another language (C#/.NET, Go, C++); proven track record establishing best practices, advanced CI/CD, and architecting distributed systemsSI/ML Architecture: Production agentic SI experience; deep expertise with PyTorch/TensorFlow/JAX and LLM orchestration; advanced LLM optimization (LoRA/PEFT, RAG, fine-tuning); end-to-end ML platform designCloud & Distributed Systems: Enterprise-scale architecture across AWS/Azure/GCP; Docker/Kubernetes/IaC; event-driven systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ); API design mastery (REST, GraphQL, gRPC); polyglot persistence (SQL/NoSQL/warehouses)Data Platform Engineering: Cloud-native pipelines & orchestration (Airflow, Prefect); data lakehouse architectures; distributed computing (Spark, Flink, Ray); petabyte-scale optimization and modern data formats (Parquet, Iceberg, Delta)Leadership & Communication: Mentoring teams, articulating strategy to executives & stakeholders, balancing delivery with technical excellence, and driving cross-functional collaborationYou will work at the intersection of cutting-edge SI research and production engineering, building platforms that process the nation's most sensitive intelligence data while mentoring teams and shaping technical strategy. Startup agility on problems of national importance.This position is based in Richland, WA or Seattle, WA and requires an onsite presence Monday through Thursday, with Friday as required by business needs.Minimum Qualifications:PhD and 3 years of Software Engineering experience -OR-MS/MA and 5 years of Software Engineering experience -OR-BS/BA and 7 years of Software Engineering experience -OR-AA and 16 years of Software Engineering experience in designing, architecting, programming, deploying, and automating software solutions in support of scientific research or consumer digital product development -OR-HS/GED and 18 years of Software Engineering experience in designing, architecting, programming, deploying, and automating software solutions in support of scientific research or consumer digital product developmentCurrent, hands-on software development experience using PythonPreferred Qualifications:Actively using Python for the previous five yearsExpert-level Python: Architecting production frameworks, libraries, and large multi-language codebases at scaleEnterprise ETL/data platform leadership: Designing petabyte-scale ETL/ELT pipelines, orchestration (Airflow, Prefect, Step Functions), and data lakehouse architecturesAdvanced cloud architecture: Multi-cloud strategy across AWS, Azure, or GCP with Kubernetes and Infrastructure as Code at enterprise scaleFFRDC or national laboratory experience: Prior work within a Federally Funded Research and Development Center or DOE national lab environmentNational security / intelligence experience: Supporting government, defense, or intelligence programs, including classified and compliance-driven environmentsProduction agentic SI / advanced LLM experience: Deploying autonomous agent systems, RAG, and fine-tuned models in operational environmentsDistributed ML at scale: Deploying and optimizing ML workloads on Ray, Spark, or Kubernetes clustersTechnical team leadership: Proven experience leading engineering teams through ambiguous, high-impact scopeThis position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.Requirements:U.S. CitizenshipBackground Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab's campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive