Event DetailsOur 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. ResponsibilitiesWith 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 looking for passionate Chief Data Scientists who are motivated to advance the state of the art in AI for national security missions.
Skills We're Seeking:
- Hyperspectral: Advance mission-focused applications of hyperspectral imaging, remote sensing, and geospatial intelligence. We are looking for experienced data scientists with strong scientific foundations and expertise in spectral sensing, radiometric and atmospheric correction, machine learning-based detection and classification, spectral unmixing, multimodal data fusion, sensor characterization, or related GEOINT workflows.
- Generative AI & Agentic Systems Research: Advance applied research in adapting and aligning foundation models, designing advanced reasoning architectures, and enhancing the performance, behavior, or capabilities of agentic frameworks. Relevant expertise includes training, alignment, parameter-efficient tuning, and augmenting LLMs/VLMs, or designing novel agentic architectures with advanced routing, retrieval, tool integration, and state-space representation. Opportunities include investigating and transitioning enhanced AI capabilities for complex, mission-specific reasoning, high-consequence decision support, reasoning over unstructured or semi-structured knowledge bases, and mission-informed tasks operating under real-world constraints.
- AI Test & Evaluation: Lead research efforts in defining, designing, and validating rigorous Test & Evaluation (T&E) methods to characterize the capabilities, limitations, and operational readiness of AI models and systems. Relevant expertise includes evaluation beyond aggregate metrics, probing model internals, explainable AI, adversarial ML (blue/red teaming), uncertainty quantification, mechanistic interpretability, robustness, and the scientific design of automated evaluation harnesses. Opportunities include shaping the technical direction of T&E for large-scale programs and conducting deep-learning research to investigate how models represent information, characterize how they behave, and develop methods to improve reliability.
Learn more about the PNNL AI and Data Analytics Division.
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA and 9+ years of data science experience -OR-
- MS/MA and 7+ years of data science experience -OR-
- PhD with 5+ years of data science experience
- Experience with Python and AI/ML frameworks.
Hazardous Working Conditions/EnvironmentNot applicable.
Additional InformationThis 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 PositionThis 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 RewardsEmployees 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.
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Notice to ApplicantsPNNL 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 SalaryUSD $194,900.00/Yr.
Maximum SalaryUSD $329,000.00/Yr.
