Responsibilities

We are seeking a motivated Early Career Software Engineer to join our dynamic team at PNNL and contribute to cutting-edge projects that shape the future of critical technology supporting national security and intelligence. In this role, you'll collaborate with experienced engineers to design, build, and optimize scalable systems for processing multi-modal intelligence data at a remarkable scale and speed. This hands-on position offers a unique opportunity to grow your skills in AI/ML engineering, data orchestration, and system architecture while delivering impactful solutions in a fast-paced environment where agility and reliability are key to success.

As a Software Engineer on PNNL's Software Engineering and Architectures (SEA) team, you'll have the chance to shape mission-critical AI systems, help build enterprise-scale data platforms, and gain hands-on experience with some of the nation's most sophisticated intelligence and security applications. You'll receive mentorship from senior engineers, collaborate with research scientists, and see your code deployed in production systems that directly support national security missions.

What You'll Build & Learn

• AI-Powered Software - Help develop applications that use AI agents and large language models (LLMs). Gain hands-on experience with LLM integrations, evaluation, testing, and foundational MLOps practices.
• Intelligence Platform Development - Contribute to software that combines multiple sources of intelligence, supports geospatial analysis, and helps users understand complex information.
• Data Engineering - Build and maintain data pipelines, develop analytics workflows, and learn how cloud-native systems process and manage data at scale.
• Collaborative Software Development - Work alongside experienced engineers, participate in code reviews and design discussions, and build your skills in testing, debugging, documentation, and enterprise software development.
• Professional Growth - Receive mentorship, take on increasing responsibility, and learn how to design, build, deploy, and support production-quality software.

Technical Skills We'll Help You Grow:

• Programming Foundation - Solid Python skills and experience with at least one additional language, such as Go, Rust, C#/.NET, C++, or a similar language.
• Platform Experience - Exposure to at least one cloud platform, such as AWS, Azure, or GCP and familiarity with Linux environments.
• Development Practices - Understanding of Git and version control, exposure to CI/CD practices, and familiarity with Agile or Scrum development environments.
• Data and Databases - Experience writing SQL and a basic understanding of data modeling, data processing, or data pipeline concepts.
• AI-Assisted Development - Familiarity with AI coding tools such as Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, or similar tools. You should be comfortable using them to explore code, generate or improve tests, troubleshoot issues, and accelerate development while applying sound judgment around accuracy, security, code quality, and validation.
• Curiosity and Eagerness to Learn - An interest in AI/ML, geospatial systems, large-scale data processing, and the opportunity to learn new technologies and domains.

National Interest Project Examples:

• Detect and prevent smuggling of drugs and contraband at ports of entry [Link]
• Develop large data pipelines to thwart funding for terrorists, nuclear proliferators, drug cartels, and rogue leaders [Link]
• Applying big data solutions to national security problems [Link]
• Applying image classification for nuclear forensics analysis [Link]
• Develop capabilities for scalable geospatial analytics [Link]

This position is located in Richland, WA and requires an onsite presence Monday through Thursday, with Friday as required by business needs.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA or higher
• Hands-on experience building and delivering software applications using Python through professional, internship, academic, or personal projects

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in computer science, software engineering, or related field.
• Experience programming in Python, Go, Rust, C#/.NET, C++.
• Solid understanding of software engineering and data management best practices.
• Demonstrated strong communication and collaborative skills.

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.

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.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

* Research Associates excluded.

**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards

Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $83,100.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $122,100.00/Yr.