Responsibilities

PNNL is seeking a Lead Data Scientist with expertise in data science and a passion for solving mission-critical challenges in the geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) domain. The selected candidate will contribute to research and development programs within the AI and Data Analytics Division which specializes in data science, applied mathematics, advanced analytic architectures, software engineering, and human-centered computing.

The Data Scientist will work as part of interdisciplinary teams to deliver data-driven solutions that address critical national security challenges. This individual will collaborate with peers to develop machine learning (ML) models, analyze geospatial datasets, and perform research that bridges cutting-edge methods and field-ready solutions. The candidate will support PNNL's mission by contributing to impactful R&D projects that help tackle national challenges.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to grow professionally while working on diverse, mission-focused projects. At PNNL, we foster a collaborative and innovative work environment aimed at lifelong learning, creative problem-solving, and advancing interdisciplinary, data-driven innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Designs and implements innovative GEOINT data science solutions, addressing complex technical challenges related to imagery analysis, object detection, data fusion, and geospatial workflows.
• Serves as a principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on projects or tasks contributing to the integration of multiple capabilities or interdisciplinary approaches.
• Leads efforts to develop and deploy ML pipelines to process and analyze large quantities of geospatial data in operational environments.
• Mentors and guides junior staff, fostering technical excellence and professional development within the team.
• Explores and generates new ideas for proposals and business opportunities by identifying emerging national security needs related to GEOINT analytics.
• Builds and maintains external partnerships to increase the technical reputation of the team and align project outcomes with sponsor priorities.
• Collaborates with multi-disciplinary teams, including software engineers, geospatial analysts, and operational mission specialists, to transition research outputs into usable, field-ready solutions.
• Ensures compliance with quality, safety, and security standards in all project tasks and serve as a role model for adhering to these standards.

This position is based in either Richland, WA or Seattle, WA and requires an onsite presence.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• PhD with 3+ year of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in data science, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a similar discipline.
• Expertise in GEOINT workflows, including experience with remote sensing platforms, multi-modal data fusion, and advanced geospatial analytics.
• Experience working with hyperspectral imaging data in the long-wave infrared, including:
  • Developing and validating machine learning-based detection, classification, and unmixing algorithms
  • Full product pipeline experience (radiometric calibration, atmospheric correction, geometric correction, etc.)
  • Strong spectral sensing fundamentals (radiative transfer, reflectance/emissivity, absorption features, SNR/noise modeling, sensor characterization)
  • Applying ML techniques to hyperspectral data fusion for geospatial intelligence applications
  • Proficiency with hyperspectral analysis and visualization tools (e.g., ENVI/IDL)
• Experience working with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data (complex/IQ and formed products), including:
  • Developing and validating both traditional signal-processing and machine learning-based detection and classification algorithms
  • End-to-end SAR image product conversion pipeline experience
  • Proficiency with SAR rendering tools
  • Strong knowledge of SAR/RADAR theory fundamentals (wave propagation, scattering, speckle, Doppler/geometry, calibration, etc.)
• Hands-on experience and strong proficiency with geospatial analysis tools (e.g., GDAL, GeoPandas, Google Earth Engine) and machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience training, fine-tuning, and applying deep learning models for remote sensing and GEOINT applications, including Automatic Target Recognition (ATR), object detection, and segmentation, using models and frameworks such as YOLO, Detectron2, DINOv2, Segment Anything Model (SAM), Vision Transformers, and geospatial foundation models.
• Experience deploying operational solutions, ensuring scalability and applicability in secure or mission-critical environments.
• Proven success in proposal development and securing external funding to support technical work or research programs.
• Experience working with or supporting national security mission sponsors such as the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or similar organizations.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, including the ability to present technical findings to diverse audiences and stakeholders and to collaborate effectively within multi-disciplinary teams.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not applicable.

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

"Referral Eligible"

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.

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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 o