Software Engineer II

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. In this role on the Software Engineering and Architectures (SEA) team within the AI and Data Analytics Division of the National Security Directorate, you will help design and build scalable software that processes multi-modal intelligence data and supports mission-critical AI and intelligence platform capabilities.

What you’ll work on

This Software Engineer II position is based in Richland, WA (onsite) and centers on building systems that operate at real-world scale and speed. You will collaborate with experienced engineers, partner with research scientists, and contribute to production deployments that directly support national security missions.

• Collaborate with senior engineers to design, build, and optimize scalable systems for processing multi-modal intelligence data.
• Shape mission-critical AI systems and help build enterprise-scale data platforms.
• Contribute to agentic AI implementations, work with LLM integrations, and learn MLOps best practices through real-world applications.
• Build components for multi-INT fusion systems, develop GEOINT processing tools, and contribute to threat analysis platforms.
• Develop data pipelines, build analytics workflows, and support cloud-native data architectures.
• Participate in code reviews and learn enterprise software development practices while receiving mentorship from senior engineers.

Technologies you’ll use

• Python, Go, Rust, C++, C#/.Net
• AWS, Azure, GCP
• Linux, Git, SQL
• AI/ML, LLM tooling such as Claude Code and OpenAI Codex, and coding assistance tools like GitHub Copilot

Benefits and support

• 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, disability insurance*
• Employee assistance program
• Business travel insurance
• Tuition assistance and relocation
• Backup childcare
• Legal benefits
• Supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, fertility support
• Company-funded pension plan* with eligibility to enroll in a 401(k) savings plan with company match
• May accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year
• Ten paid holidays per year

Minimum qualifications

• BS/BA (minimum) or MS/MA or PhD (minimum qualification alternatives)
• 2 years of software engineering experience
• Hands-on professional experience using Python to build, test, and deliver software for customers or end users
• Professional proficiency in Python plus at least one other language: Go, Rust, C++, C#/.Net, or similar
• Experience working on a team 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 to customers, end users, or stakeholders
• Strong understanding of software engineering and data management best practices
• Experience with cloud architecture and implementation in AWS, Azure, or GCP
• 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
• Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance
• U.S. Citizenship
• Federal background investigation and eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B

Clearance and testing requirements

• Security clearance background investigations include review of employment, education, financial, and criminal history, plus interviews to determine trustworthiness and eligibility.
• This role is a Testing Designated Position (TDP), requiring pre-employment drug testing and random post-employment testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana.
• Applicants may be considered ineligible if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the prior 12 consecutive months cannot be demonstrated.
• PNNL also requires adherence to HSPD-12 and DOE Order 473.1A, including obtaining and maintaining a HSPD-12 PIV credential post hire, based on job duties and federal adjudication.

PNNL’s work environment supports solving critical challenges across fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency, with a commitment to equal employment opportunity and reasonable accommodations in the application process.