Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Overview At PNNL, our core capabilities are organized into directorates focused on key scientific areas. The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives mission‑focused science, and the AI and Data Analytics Division within the NSD combines domain expertise with advanced computing to develop solutions for complex data challenges. The Division works in multidisciplinary teams to connect research to engineering and operational deployment. Responsibilities Senior Machine Learning Engineer Lead refactoring, modularization, and optimization of research code to improve maintainability, scalability, and production readiness. Collaborate closely with researchers and engineers to understand algorithmic intent and ensure integration into broader systems. Architect and develop tools, pipelines, and APIs for deployment in mission‑relevant environments. Influence technical roadmaps and architectural decisions for AI/ML infrastructure. Evaluate and recommend emerging tools, frameworks, and practices to keep the team at the leading edge. Establish and promote best practices for translating research outputs into robust, production‑quality software. Mentor junior staff on software engineering standards, code quality, and research‑to‑production workflows. Write clear, well‑documented code and lead code reviews to uphold team standards. Conduct work in secure environments with adherence to operational security requirements. This position is based in either Richland, WA or Seattle, WA and requires an onsite presence. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience – or – MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience – or – PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience Preferred Qualifications: Degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or related field. Experience in research engineering, ML engineering, AI systems integration, or applied data science. Strong proficiency in Python and hands‑on experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or Hugging Face. Demonstrated ability to navigate research codebases (e.g., Jupyter notebooks, unstructured scripts) and translate them into production‑ready components. Experience designing and deploying scalable ML pipelines or AI‑enabled tools in operational or mission‑critical settings. Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills, with the ability to bridge research and engineering teams. Hazardous Working Conditions / Environment Not applicable. Additional Information – Security Clearance This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance. 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. All security‑clearance positions are subject to pre‑employment and random drug testing. U.S. Citizenship. Background investigation and eligibility for classified access as per 10 CFR 710. Drug testing as required for testing designated positions. Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity Our laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws. Salary USD $140,200.00 / Yr – USD $228,800.00 / Yr. #J-18808-Ljbffr Pacific Northwest National Laboratory