Software Engineer II

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a mission-driven, world-class research institution powered by a diverse, highly educated team guided by Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. This Software Engineer II position on the Software Engineering and Architectures (SEA) team sits within the AI and Data Analytics Division of the National Security Directorate, where you will help build scalable software systems that support national security missions.

This onsite role is located in Richland, WA and is offered with a salary of USD 109,000 per year. The role requires at least 2 years of software engineering experience and a BS/BA minimum (or MS/MA, or PhD minimum qualification alternatives).

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will collaborate with experienced engineers to design, build, and optimize large-scale, high-performance software systems for multi-modal intelligence data. You will help shape mission-critical AI solutions and contribute to enterprise-scale data platforms, with work that is deployed in production environments supporting national security missions.

• Design, build, and optimize scalable systems for processing multi-modal intelligence data at speed and scale
• Contribute to agentic AI implementations and LLM integrations, while learning MLOps best practices in real-world applications
• Develop components for multi-INT fusion systems, including GEOINT processing tools
• Support threat analysis platforms through software and data engineering work
• Build data pipelines, develop analytics workflows, and contribute to cloud-native data architectures
• Participate in code reviews, receive mentorship from senior engineers, and collaborate with research scientists

Core Areas of Build and Learning

• AI Systems Development: Contribute to agentic AI implementations and LLM integrations; learn MLOps best practices
• Intelligence Platform Development: Build multi-INT fusion components, develop GEOINT processing tools, and support threat analysis platforms
• Data Engineering: Develop data pipelines, build analytics workflows, and support cloud-native data architectures
• Professional Growth: Work under mentorship from senior engineers and develop enterprise software development practices

Required Qualifications

• 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
• Degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field
• Experience on teams that developed and deployed petabyte-scale large-scale, high-performance ETL pipelines and analytics
• Experience taking a project from idea or requirements through implementation, testing, and delivery
• Demonstrated proficiency in Python and at least one other language: Go, Rust, C++, C#/.Net, or similar
• Experience collaborating with software engineers to design, build, and deliver complex applications
• Strong understanding of software engineering and data management best practices
• Cloud architecture implementation experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP
• Possession of professional certifications in cloud technologies or database certifications
• Familiarity with machine learning algorithms and hands-on experience developing machine learning pipelines
• Experience delivering software solutions for agencies including the Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, or National Nuclear Security Administration
• Active Federal Q Clearance
• Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance
• U.S. Citizenship
• Subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B
• Testing Designated Position: subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs including marijuana
• Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated

Technologies

• Python, Go, Rust, C++, C#/.Net
• AWS, Azure, GCP
• Linux, Git, SQL
• Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot
• AI/ML, LLM

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Robust telehealth care options
• Several mental health benefits
• Free wellness coaching
• Health savings account and flexible spending accounts
• Basic life insurance and disability insurance*
• Employee assistance program
• Business travel insurance
• Tuition assistance and relocation
• Backup childcare
• Legal benefits
• Supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support
• Company-funded pension plan* with optional 401(k) savings plan enrollment and company match*
• May accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year
• May receive ten paid holidays per year

About PNNL and Work Environment

PNNL is located in eastern Washington State, known for outdoor recreation and an affordable cost of living. The campus is serviced by the PSC airport and is about a 45-minute flight (or approximately 3-hour drive) from Seattle or Portland.

PNNL supports equal employment opportunity, considers applicants without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law, and provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans during the application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation, contact [email protected].

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain federal security clearance, and it includes drug-free workplace requirements supported by the Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP). PNNL also requires adherence to HSPD-12 and the Department of Energy (DOE) order regarding a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential, including successful completion of an applicable federal background investigation tier and favorable adjudication.