Overview

The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world.

The AI and Data Analytics Division, part of NSD, combines profound domain expertise and creative integration of advanced hardware and software to deliver computational solutions that address complex data and analytic challenges. Working in multidisciplinary teams, we connect foundational research to engineering to operations, providing the tools to innovate quickly and field results faster. Our strengths are integrated across the data analytics lifecycle, from data acquisition and management to analysis and decision support.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a motivated Software Engineer to join our dynamic team at PNNL and contribute to cutting-edge projects that shape the future of critical technology supporting national security and intelligence. In this role, you'll collaborate with experienced engineers to design, build, and optimize scalable systems for processing multi-modal intelligence data at a remarkable scale and speed. This hands-on position offers a unique opportunity to grow your skills in AI/ML engineering, data orchestration, and system architecture while delivering impactful solutions in a fast-paced environment where agility and reliability are key to success.

As a Software Engineer on PNNL's Software Engineering and Architectures (SEA) team, you'll have the chance to shape mission-critical AI systems, help build enterprise-scale data platforms, and gain hands-on experience with some of the nation's most sophisticated intelligence and security applications. You'll receive mentorship from senior engineers, collaborate with research scientists, and see your code deployed in production systems that directly support national security missions.

What You'll Build & Learn:

• AI Systems Development - Contribute to agentic AI implementations, work with LLM integrations, learn MLOps best practices on real-world applications
• Intelligence Platform Development - Build components for multi-INT fusion systems, develop GEOINT processing tools, contribute to threat analysis platforms
• Data Engineering - Develop data pipelines, build analytics workflows, contribute to cloud-native data architectures
• Professional Growth - Receive mentorship from senior engineers, participate in code reviews, learn enterprise software development practices

Technical Skills (We'll Help You Grow):

• Programming Foundation - Solid Python skills, experience with one additional language (Go, Rust, C++, C#/.Net, or similar)
• Platform Experience - Foundational cloud experience (AWS, Azure, or GCP), familiarity with Linux environments
• Development Practices - Understanding of version control (Git), exposure to CI/CD, basic Agile/Scrum experience
• Data & Databases - Experience with SQL and understanding of data processing concepts
• AI-Assisted Development - Experience using AI coding tools such as Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, or similar to explore code, accelerate development, write tests, and debug effectively, with sound judgment around code quality, security, and validation.
• Eagerness to Learn - Interest in AI/ML technologies, geospatial systems, large-scale data processing

National Interest Project Examples:

• Detect and prevent smuggling of drugs and contraband at ports of entry [Link]
• Develop large data pipelines to thwart funding for terrorists, nuclear proliferators, drug cartels, and rogue leaders [Link]
• Applying big data solutions to national security problems [Link]
• Applying image classification for nuclear forensics analysis [Link]
• Develop capabilities for scalable geospatial analytics [Link]

This position is based in Richland, WA or Seattle, WA and requires an onsite presence Monday through Thursday, with Friday as required by business needs.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• BS/BA and 2 years of software engineering experience
• Hands-on professional experience using Python to build, test, and deliver software for customers or end users

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in computer science, software engineering, or related field
• Experience in working on a team that developed and deployed petabyte size large-scale and high-performance ETL pipelines and analytics
• Experience taking a project from idea or requirements through implementation, testing, and delivery to a customer, end user, or other stakeholder.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Python and least one other language (Go, Rust, C++, C#/.Net, or similar)
• Experience collaborating with a team of software engineers to design, build, and deliver complex software applications
• Strong understanding of software engineering and data management best practices
• Experience in cloud architecture (AWS, Azure, GCP) and implementation
• Possession of professional certifications in cloud technologies or database certifications
• Familiarity with machine learning algorithms with hands-on experience in machine learning pipeline development
• Experience delivering software solutions for agencies such as the Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, or National Nuclear Security Administration
• Possession of an active Federal Q Clearance

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not applicable.

Additional Information

This 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

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.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards

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 $109,000.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $163,600.00/Yr.