Machine Learning Engineer II

Responsibilities

PNNL is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to implement and adapt research methods within shared software used by U.S. government stakeholders. You will work with researchers in areas such as AI Assurance, agentic AI, and applied mathematics, independently developing and maintaining defined software components within a broader engineering effort.

You will contribute directly to shared codebases, from experimental implementation through deployment primarily in unclassified sponsor environments. The team maintains and improves the software over time. The work focuses on deep learning methods for large language models and computer vision. Projects span research areas such as AI Assurance, agentic AI, and applied mathematics, with opportunities to work with other models and methods.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and adapt deep learning and computational methods with researchers, investigating algorithmic assumptions and debugging implementation and model behavior.
• Independently develop, test, and maintain defined software components or features, making design decisions within the broader architecture.
• Implement, test, and maintain components of agentic AI workflows, including model tool calling and integration with APIs or data sources, making implementation decisions within the broader software architecture.
• Build reusable packages, APIs, and interfaces that connect research methods with sponsor systems and workflows.
• Refactor experimental code and improve its clarity, performance, and maintainability.
• Develop tests and evaluations that compare implementations with research results and verify behavior as software changes.
• Use reproducible environments, dependency management, automated testing, and documentation to support collaborative development.
• Work with other engineers to integrate and deploy components, resolve defects, and incorporate research advances and stakeholder feedback.
• Coordinate changes in shared codebases, participate in code reviews, and share methods and findings with colleagues.
• Share implementation approaches and findings with researchers and engineers working in the broader effort.
• Conduct work in secure environments in accordance with operational security requirements.

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

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 2 years of data science experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• PhD
• Experience using Python with PyTorch, TensorFlow, or a similar deep learning framework.
• Experience implementing or adapting methods for large language models, computer vision, or related deep learning applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with modular software design, automated testing, version control, and collaborative development.
• Experience building or adapting agentic AI applications, including workflow orchestration, tool integration, or tracing and evaluating multi-step behavior.
• Experience interpreting technical literature or mathematical descriptions and collaborating with researchers to implement methods and evaluate results, particularly in AI Assurance, agentic AI, or applied mathematics.
• Experience developing reusable packages or APIs and integrating them into larger systems.
• Experience deploying and maintaining ML or computational software, including reproducible environments, dependency management, automated build and deployment workflows, and incorporating user feedback.
• Experience supporting national security missions.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not applicable.

Additional Information

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

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 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 $114,000.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $182,100.00/Yr.