Senior Software Engineer

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments called Directorates, each focused on specific scientific research or functions with dedicated leadership and budget.

The National Security Directorate (NSD) addresses complex real-world threats through science-based, mission-focused solutions. The AI and Data Analytics Division within NSD integrates advanced hardware and software to deliver computational solutions across the data analytics lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy agentic AI systems with reasoning and decision-making capabilities.
• Build components of LLM orchestration frameworks using LangChain, LlamaIndex, and emerging platforms.
• Contribute to MLOps platforms including experiment tracking, model versioning, and deployment pipelines.
• Create developer tooling, utilities, and interfaces for AI-native frameworks.
• Integrate multi-modal data sources into cohesive processing pipelines.
• Develop microservices within distributed architectures handling high-throughput workloads.
• Build components of real-time streaming platforms and event-driven systems.
• Implement data pipelines for large-scale ETL, data processing, and analytics.
• Deploy containerized applications using Kubernetes and support CI/CD pipelines.
• Contribute to systems deployed in secure and edge environments.
• Deploy AI systems with appropriate monitoring, logging, and observability.
• Ensure code quality, security best practices, and compliance standards.
• Build geospatial processing, time-series, and data fusion capabilities.
• Support system performance optimization and troubleshooting.
• Lead technical components of projects and tasks.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to team knowledge sharing.
• Participate in design discussions and contribute to architectural decisions.
• Support proposal development with technical content and scoping.
• Build effective collaborations across teams and scientific and engineering domains.

Technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in Python and at least one additional language (Java, C#/.NET, Go, C++, Rust).
• Deep knowledge of software engineering principles including object-oriented design, design patterns, data structures, algorithms, and clean code practices.
• Experience with version control systems (Git) and automated testing methodologies including unit, integration, end-to-end testing, and TDD.
• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Ability to lead technical discussions on system design, microservice architecture, and distributed computing.
• Knowledge of machine learning fundamentals, lifecycle, model serving architectures, and best practices.
• Experience building and deploying cloud-native applications on AWS, Azure, or GCP with containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Ability to design event-driven architectures using message queues, pub/sub systems, and serverless functions.
• Strong understanding of API design including RESTful principles, GraphQL, and gRPC.
• Experience with relational (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (MongoDB, DynamoDB, Cassandra).
• Understanding of data pipeline architectures, ETL/ELT patterns, and cloud-based data storage systems.
• Knowledge of distributed data processing frameworks (Spark/Databricks, Kafka, Flink, Ray).
• Ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams and participate in Agile ceremonies.
• Strong communication skills and ability to mentor junior engineers.
• Ability to balance technical excellence with pragmatic delivery and adapt to new technologies.

National Interest Project Examples

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

Qualifications

• PhD and 1 year of Software Engineering experience OR MS/MA and 3 years OR BS/BA and 5 years OR AA and 14 years OR HS/GED and 16 years of Software Engineering experience in designing, architecting, programming, deploying, and automating software solutions.
• Degree in computer science, software engineering, or related field preferred.
• Expertise in Python and proficiency in at least one other language (Java, C#/.NET, C++, Go, Rust).
• Ability to contribute to technical direction and independently structure complex problems.
• Experience designing or implementing components of large-scale ETL pipelines and analytics systems.
• Experience contributing to cloud-native system design including API and microservice architecture, DevOps, containerization and orchestration, infrastructure as code, and observability.
• Active technical community engagement preferred.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

Work Location

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

Additional Information

• Position requires passing a federal background investigation and drug testing.
• Applicants must demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months prior to clearance.
• This is a Testing Designated Position subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is a world-class research institution committed to integrity, creativity, collaboration, impact, and courage. Located in eastern Washington State, PNNL offers excellent benefits including health insurance and flexible work schedules.

Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

PNNL is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fairness and respect for all individuals and provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.