Senior Software Engineer III

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join PNNL’s advanced SI engineering team and help build next-generation systems across agentic SI platforms, large-scale data orchestration, and real-time intelligence processing. You’ll design scalable, mission-critical solutions while mentoring others and shaping technical direction., * SI Systems: Agentic SI, LLM orchestration (LangChain, LlamaIndex), MLOps pipelines, and multi-modal data integration

• Scalable Infrastructure: Microservices, real-time streaming, large scale ETL pipelines, and Kubernetes deployments
• Production Systems: Monitoring/observability, secure & edge deployments, geospatial and time-series processing
• Technical Leadership: Lead project components, mentor staff, drive design decisions, and support proposals, * Detect and prevent smuggling of drugs and contraband at ports of entry [Link (https://www.pnnl.gov/sites/default/files/media/file/NII%20Capabilities%20072621_0.pdf) ]
• Develop large data pipelines to thwart funding for terrorists, nuclear proliferators, drug cartels, and rogue leaders [Link (https://www.pnnl.gov/sites/default/files/media/file/PNNL_Treasury_AWS%20collab%201121.pdf) ]
• Applying big data solutions to national security problems [Link (https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/science-front-line-ralph-perko) ]
• Applying image classification for nuclear forensics analysis [Link (https://www.pnnl.gov/sites/default/files/media/file/NSD_1259_FLYER_SharkzorHighlights_FINAL_0.pdf) ]
• Develop capabilities for scalable geospatial analytics [Link (https://www.pnnl.gov/sites/default/files/media/file/GeoBOSS%20Open-Source%20Geospatial%20Analytics%20at%20Scale.pdf) ]

Read more about the AI & Data Analytics division: https://www.pnnl.gov/ai-and-data-analytics

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

An accomplished engineer with strong foundations in scalable system design, SI/ML development, and production software. You’re ready to lead complex system components, mentor junior engineers, and turn technical requirements into working solutions., * Engineering: Strong Python plus one other language (.NET/C#, Go, C++, Rust); solid CS fundamentals (object-oriented design, design patterns, data structures, algorithms, and clean code practices), Git, testing (TDD), CI/CD, and SI-assisted development tools (Copilot, Claude, Cursor)

• SI/ML: Understanding of the ML lifecycle, model serving, and production integration via APIs
• Cloud Native: Hands-on experience with AWS/Azure/GCP, Docker/Kubernetes, event-driven & microservice architectures, API design (REST, GraphQL, gRPC), and SQL/NoSQL databases
• Data Engineering: ETL/ELT pipelines, distributed processing (Spark, Kafka, Flink, Ray), cloud storage, and data modeling at scale
• Collaboration: Strong communication and engagement with cross-functional teams, Agile experience, mentorship, and pragmatic delivery, * PhD and 1 year of Software Engineering experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 3 years of Software Engineering experience -OR-
• BS/BA and 5 years of Software Engineering experience -OR
• AA and 14 years of Software Engineering experience in designing, architecting, programming, deploying, and automating software solutions in support of scientific research or consumer digital product development -OR-
• HS/GED and 16 years of Software Engineering experience in designing, architecting, programming, deploying, and automating software solutions in support of scientific research or consumer digital product development
• Current, hands-on software development experience using Python, * Degree in computer science, software engineering, or related field
• 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 into actionable work, in collaboration with senior engineers and cross-functional teams
• Experience designing or implementing components of large-scale ETL pipelines and analytics systems (petabyte-scale experience valued)
• Experience contributing to Cloud-native system design: API and microservice architecture, DevOps, containerization and orchestration (Docker/Kubernetes), infrastructure as code, and full-stack observability (logging, metrics, tracing)
• Active technical community engagement demonstrated through meaningful open-source contributions, maintained GitHub repositories, technical blog posts or presentations, conference participation, mentoring activities, or self-initiated projects exploring emerging technologies that showcase continuous learning and passion for the engineering craft, 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
• 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.

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 $133,100.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $210,400.00/Yr.

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

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 the National Security Directorate, 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., Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State-the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs., Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.