ResponsibilitiesPNNL is seeking a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to implement, adapt, and mature research methods into software deployed primarily in unclassified sponsor environments. You will work closely with researchers in areas such as SI Assurance, agentic SI, and applied mathematics, understanding the underlying methods and translating them into reliable implementations. Your work will span experimental development, deployment, and continued improvement of software the team develops and maintains.
You will guide engineering decisions and contribute directly to shared codebases, collaborating with researchers, engineers, and stakeholders across the U.S. government. The work focuses on deep learning methods for large language models and computer vision. Projects span research areas such as SI Assurance, agentic SI, and applied mathematics, with opportunities to work with other models and methods.
Key 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.
- Strong proficiency in Python and hands-on experience using PyTorch to implement and modify deep learning research methods, including investigating and debugging implementation and model behavior.
- Professional experience developing and maintaining software in a collaborative codebase. Significant contributions to established open-source software with a demonstrated record of use and review may also qualify.
- Experience with software design, modular implementation, automated testing, version control, and code review.
- Experience owning the design, development, and maintenance of substantial software components or capabilities, and making implementation decisions within a project.
- Experience collaborating with researchers and engineers to translate technical requirements into working software and make implementation decisions.
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA and 5+ years of data science experience -OR-
- MS/MA and 3+ years of data science experience -OR-
- PhD with 1+ year of data science experience
- 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 leading software design or implementation efforts and mentoring other engineers.
- Experience developing and evaluating agentic AI systems, including reusable tool interfaces, workflow state management, execution tracing, or systematic analysis of task outcomes and failures.
- Experience interpreting technical literature or mathematical descriptions and collaborating with researchers to translate methods into working software, particularly in AI Assurance, agentic AI, or applied mathematics.
- Experience developing modular, reusable packages or APIs, integrating them into larger systems, and using automated testing, version control, and collaborative development practices.
- Experience deploying, maintaining, and improving ML or computational software in shared codebases, including reproducible environments, dependency management, automated build and deployment workflows, and incorporating user feedback.
- Experience supporting national security missions.
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.
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 $140,200.00/Yr.
Maximum SalaryUSD $228,800.00/Yr.
