Hiring Event - Lead Software Engineer IV

Overview

Great minds meet great challenges.

Ready to build what’s next?

At PNNL,our core capabilities are dividedamongmajor departmentsthat werefer to asDirectorateswithin the Lab,focused on a specific area of scientific research orother function, with its own leadership teamand dedicated budget.

Our Science & TechnologydirectoratesincludeNational Security,Integrated Discovery Sciences, andEnergy andEnvironment.In addition,we have anEnvironmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory,a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facilityhoused on the PNNL campus.

The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex,real-worldthreats to our nation and the world.

The AI and Data Analytics Division, part of NSD, 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.

Event Details

Our hiring event will take place during the weeks of October 12th to November 13th.

Selected candidates may be invited to participate in virtual and onsite interviews during this timeframe and will be contacted directly with scheduling details.

This role is performed full-time onsite at the PNNL campus in Richland, WA or Seattle, WA.

Responsibilities

With new projects and expanding programs, our AI and Data Analytics Division offers opportunities to advance cutting-edge research and build solutions for critical national security missions. Join a team of more than 400 data scientists, software engineers, mathematicians, and human-centered computing researchers turning ambitious ideas into real-world capabilities.

We're hiring across two complementary lead engineering tracks , and we're looking for people who want to own something meaningful end-to-end: from the platform beneath it, to the systems that power it, to the experience humans actually touch.

Skills We’re Seeking:

• DevSecOps and Platform Engineering: Design and build scalable AI platforms, cloud-native infrastructure, containerized environments (Docker/Kubernetes), CI/CD pipelines, IaC, real-time data stream architectures, and reliable, secure production systems. We are particularly interested in engineers with strong Python expertise and significant experience in DevOps, platform engineering, site reliability engineering, distributed systems, telemetry and observability, security, and automated software delivery.
• AI Systems & Data Platform Software Engineers: Push the boundaries of agentic AI systems characterized by autonomy, adaptability, reasoning, collaboration, and effective tool use. We are seeking experienced software engineers and nationally recognized technical leaders who have designed and deployed agentic AI systems and large-scale data platforms in real-world environments. Relevant expertise includes large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, multi-step reasoning, autonomous decision workflows, model and data orchestration, production-quality AI systems, and designing and operating petabyte-scale ETL/ELT pipelines. Senior candidates may also shape research directions, lead multidisciplinary R&D programs, develop external partnerships, and mentor AI scientists and engineers.

Learn more about the PNNL AI and Data Analytics Division.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD and 3 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 5 years of relevant experience -OR-
• BS/BA and 7 years of relevant experience -OR
• AA and 16 years of relevant experience -OR-
• HS/GED and 18 years of relevant experience.
  • Relevant experience is defined as Software Engineering experience in designing, architecting, programming, deploying, and automating software solutions in support of scientific research or consumer digital product development.
• Current, hands‑on software development experience using Python.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not applicable.

Additional Information

This 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. Citizenship
• Background 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.

“Referral Eligible”

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre‑employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

About PNNL

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.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

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.

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL 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.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD‑12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD‑12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency