OverviewThe Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation's biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation's power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.
The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is accelerating the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy
ResponsibilitiesThis position is in the Building Simulation and Design Group (BS&DG) within PNNL's Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division. BS&DG conducts modeling and analysis to evaluate the impacts of building energy policies, codes, and standards; develops tools and workflows to support building research and decision making; and helps accelerate adoption of energy-efficient technologies. The group maintains core research capabilities in building energy simulation, building energy policy analysis, and tool development for building applications.
The BS&DG is seeking a
Software Engineer II - Building Applications with strong knowledge of software engineering and web application development to contribute to building technology applications. The selected candidate will serve as an individual contributor to project teams, developing technical approaches and developing, improving, and maintaining software systems that support building energy efficiency. Responsibilities include contributing to software releases, publications, and presentations, and communicating technical progress, results, and limitations to project teams and collaborators.
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Performing assigned roles under the direction of Project and/or Task Managers, following applicable project and field procedures, and completing assigned tasks on time and within budget.
- Applying established software development practices, including version control, code review, testing, and documentation, within an Agile development environment.
- Working with staff across the group and division to translate domain needs into software requirements and develop, improve, and maintain applications, software components, and reusable libraries.
- Independently completing recurring assignments and defining and leading small tasks or projects, coordinating with contributors, and delivering technically sound results within assigned scope, schedule, and budget.
- Working with project teams and collaborators to understand research needs, contribute to technical approaches, and communicate progress, findings, and limitations.
- Contributing to software releases, technical reports, journal articles, and conference presentations, leading elements or sections of technical products, and presenting findings in project meetings and technical forums.
- Contributing research ideas and technical content to proposals for research and capability development opportunities.
- Collaborating across the group and division to share methods, strengthen research capabilities, and identify opportunities for related research.
- Maintaining accountability to Project and/or Task Managers, the Group Leader, and the Team Leader for assigned responsibilities, project execution, professional development, and operational discipline, including compliance with applicable procedures, training requirements, and quality, safety, and security expectations.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a full academic or research CV.
This position will be based at a PNNL office in Portland, OR, Richland, WA, or Seattle, WA, with an on-site presence expected. Hybrid work arrangements may be available in accordance with laboratory policy, project needs, and team expectations. Remote work may be considered for candidates with strong technical expertise and demonstrated success working remotely.
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical field, and 2 years of relevant software development experience -OR-
- MS/MA -OR-PhD in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical field
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages (such as JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, or PHP)
Relevant experience includes degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field, with relevant software development experience and evidence of growing independence in technical work and project contributions. Proficiency in one or more programming languages.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Graduate degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field, with relevant software development experience and evidence of growing independence in technical work and project contributions.
- Significant experience with full-stack software development, web application development, and database engineering.
- Experience with one or more web application technologies such as Node.js, React, Ruby on Rails, Django, or FastAPI, with the ability to learn additional languages and frameworks as project needs evolve.
- Experience developing or integrating APIs and working with structured data, including data exchange and validation.
- Working knowledge of relational databases and object-relational mapping (ORM) tools.
- Experience using Git, code review, software testing, and documentation to support collaborative software development and reliable releases.
- Experience working in an Agile development environment and using issue-tracking tools such as Jira.
- Experience developing, testing, and evaluating AI-enabled software applications using large language models, with capabilities such as model API integration, external tool use, or agentic workflows.
- Familiarity with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) or related approaches for incorporating domain documents and structured data into AI applications, with attention to source traceability, output accuracy, and human review.
- Experience using AI-assisted development tools to support coding, testing, or documentation, with demonstrated ability to review, test, and validate generated outputs.
- Demonstrated ability to independently complete recurring software development assignments, contribute to technical approaches, and define and lead small tasks within assigned scope, schedule, and budget.
- Knowledge of or experience with building energy systems, building energy auditing, simulation tools such as DOE-2, EnergyPlus, FEDS, or OpenStudio, or data exchange formats and standards such as gbXML, BuildingSync, or HPXML.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated through software documentation, technical reports, publications, or presentations, and effective collaboration across disciplines.
Hazardous Working Conditions/EnvironmentNot Applicable.
Additional InformationNot Applicable.
Testing Designated PositionThis is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
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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. Inste
