Responsibilities

Designs, develops, and implements methods, processes, and systems to analyze diverse data. Applies knowledge of statistics, machine learning, advanced mathematics, simulation, software development, and data modeling to integrate and clean data, recognize patterns, address uncertainty, pose questions, and make discoveries from structured and/or unstructured data. Produces solutions driven by exploratory data analysis from complex and high-dimensional datasets. Designs, develops, and evaluates predictive models and advanced algorithms that lead to optimal value extraction from the data. Demonstrates ability to transfer skills across application domains.

The Coastal Sciences team at PNNL Sequim is small, close-knit, collegial, academically diverse, and comprised of around 80 researchers working in fields from marine autonomy to algal biofuels.

As a national lab, we work on research problems for a diverse sponsor set, for whom we seek to produce solutions to the greatest problems of our age. The specific work we do depends on the intersection of interests of our proposal-writing researchers and willing sponsors, and there is significant room to tailor work and responsibilities to research interests.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's (PNNL) Coastal Sciences Division (CSD) is seeking a mid-career data scientist to work alongside its existing, close-knit, multi-disciplinary team to help continue to execute and grow its burgeoning portfolio in field robotics, sensing, and AI.

Innovation in the marine domain requires input from more than just marine scientists. Increasingly it requires roboticists, computer scientists, and ML engineers who can work along marine scientists and oceanographers to identify approaches to observe and understand the natural world using the latest and greatest of robotic, sensing, AI, and communication technologies. This role seeks to add an experienced researcher to the existing robotics, software, and AI team within Coastal Sciences.

We seek a professionally trained and experienced roboticist, computer scientist, or ML engineer with significant history executing and leading work in those spaces in academic or research roles, with experience in and love for the maritime domain, and an ability to communicate the complex technologies you've mastered to colleagues, sponsors, and collaborators from other domains. When the situation demands it, the ideal candidate can also work with hardware either in the lab or in a rocking boat. Successful candidates must also demonstrate the ability to navigate complex organizational or proposal processes, and teach colleagues.

Existing work that this position would be involved in includes:

• Onboard marine robotic autonomy and data processing software stack development for in-house autonomous surface vessels (ASVs), autonomous underwater vessels (AUVs), and autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs).
• Real-time multi-sensor sensor array, networking, interfacing, and data processing development for video, acoustic, and other novel sensor array systems.
• Deep learning and AI-based detection, tracking, and reasoning on diverse marine and field sensors streams.
• The development of robust, communication pipelines both on-prem, in-field, as well as to cloud.
• Design, configuration, and management of heterogenous clusters of computing resources for various lab and deployment needs.

The right candidate:

• Is excited to be a part of a close-knit and interdisciplinary team, and to represent and share their unique domain expertise as part of it.
• Is an adaptive generalist, with a deep background in software engineering, robotics, and machine learning, who has strong communication skills, and a teaching spirit.
• Is excited to work in the maritime domain, support marine deployments, and work alongside colleagues both in office and in the field.
• Is driven to identify and pursue novel science questions and share the results of research with the broader community.
• Can handle working on multiple projects simultaneously, navigate complex organizational processes, and maintain long-term vision despite short-term ambiguity.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• A graduate degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical/Computer Engineering OR significant experience illustrating an ability to perform and lead research in robotics, software engineering, and deep learning without an applicable degree
• Proven software development experience in professional and research settings within large, multi-developer code bases
• A track record of object-oriented programming experience in Python, C/C++, and/or Rust
• A deep knowledge of and demonstrated comfort with Linux computer systems and the ability to setup and configure them
• Familiarity with common sensor hardware, communication protocols, and networking systems
• Experience with PyTorch, Tensorflow, or another auto-grad library, a clear understanding of the fundamentals of machine learning and deep learning, and experience applying cutting-edge deep learning models to real world data
• Knowledge of common statistical methods, probability theory, graduate-level linear algebra, and control theory
• Significant experience creating, developing within, and deploying containerized software environments using tools such as Docker, Podman, or other containerization engines
• Significant experience configuring and using modern dev-ops tools and pipelines
• Experience designing, building, and programming robotic systems
• Research experience culminating in publications, talks, or other technical products
• Experience with ROS2, Gazebo, and Isaac Sim
• Experience in marine or field robotics and a familiarity with common robotics platforms in these domains
• Experience with embedded systems, micro-controllers, single-board computers, sensor integration, and SWAP-constrained systems
• Experience with common marine sensors and the oceanographic properties they measure
• Experience with IoT protocols and systems
• Experience working with government sponsors, within soft-money research, and writing proposals
• Experience deploying technologies in and operating within in the maritime domain
• Interest in natural systems and wildlife behavior and tracking
• Interest and ability to work in the field and on boats

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.