Computer Scientist (Scientist 1/2)

This position is open for external candidates only and will be filled at either the Scientist 1 or Scientist 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional responsibilities will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

About the Role

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Database Engineer/Computer Scientist to help modernize and transform surveillance and predictive analytics capabilities through scalable data infrastructure, advanced analytics, and AI-enabled technologies. This role supports the development of next-generation digital systems designed to integrate, structure, and analyze large-scale engineering and surveillance datasets, enabling predictive insight, risk-informed decision-making, and long-term mission assurance.

The ideal candidate is passionate about building robust data architectures, enabling AI/ML workflows, and solving complex engineering data challenges in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, and maintenance of database systems for engineering and surveillance data.
• Develop, maintain, or improve data pipelines to ingest, clean, structure, validate, and integrate datasets from multiple sources.
• Support AI/ML and advanced analytics applications by preparing, organizing, and improving datasets for predictive modeling, reporting, or analysis.
• Assist with implementing efficient data storage, retrieval, and query solutions for technical datasets.
• Collaborate with engineers, analysts, and scientists to develop integrated data solutions supporting predictive surveillance and system health monitoring.
• Develop or maintain tools and workflows to correlate data across components, assemblies, and assets.
• Support data integrity, security, accessibility, and long-term maintainability of database systems.
• Support visualization, reporting, and analytical tools that enable actionable technical insight.

Requirements

• Data Systems and Database Design: Experience designing, developing, managing, or optimizing relational and/or non-relational database systems, including data modeling, schema design, query development, indexing, and performance tuning.
• Programming and Data Pipeline Development: Proficiency with SQL and Python, with experience developing automated data pipelines, ETL/ELT workflows, data integration processes, or model-ready datasets.
• AI/ML and Advanced Analytics Enablement: Familiarity with AI/ML workflows, predictive analytics environments, feature engineering, or data preparation practices that support advanced modeling and analysis.
• Complex Technical Data Integration: Experience working with large, complex, or heterogeneous technical datasets, including engineering, scientific, manufacturing, test, surveillance, or system health data.
• Collaboration and Communication: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary technical teams across engineering, science, analytics, and software disciplines.

Additional Requirements for Scientist 2

• Technical Leadership: Experience leading complex technical projects, guiding technical direction, and making independent decisions related to database architecture, data integration, or analytical infrastructure.
• Advanced System Architecture: Experience designing scalable, reliable, secure, and maintainable data systems that integrate information across multiple sources.
• Strategic Data Integration: Experience developing strategies to integrate diverse engineering, scientific, surveillance, or operational datasets in support of analytics, reporting, and decision-making.
• Mentorship and Team Coordination: Experience mentoring staff, coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams, and communicating technical recommendations to leadership, customers, or stakeholders.
• Innovation and Capability Development: Experience identifying, evaluating, and implementing data engineering tools, methods, or technologies that improve analytical capability, workflow efficiency, or mission outcomes.

Qualifications

• Scientist 1: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Scientist 2: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 4 years of related experience, typically with post-doctoral research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience.

Desired Skills

• Database platforms such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Neo4j, or similar technologies.
• Python data tools such as Pandas, NumPy, SQLAlchemy, PySpark, or related libraries.
• Data modeling, schema design, indexing, performance tuning, and query optimization.
• Cloud computing, distributed computing, or high-performance computing environments.
• AI/ML data preparation, feature engineering, or model-ready dataset development.
• Integration of engineering, scientific, manufacturing, test, or surveillance datasets.
• Version control and collaborative development tools such as Git.
• Visualization, dashboarding, or reporting platforms.
• Education or training in computer science, software engineering, data science, information technology, computer engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing, database systems, or a related technical field.
• Oracle Certified Professional or Microsoft Certified - Azure Database Administrator Associate.
• Active Q clearance, or the ability to obtain an active Q clearance.

Pay

• Scientist 1: $96,600 - $158,000
• Scientist 2: $106,400 - $176,000

Schedule

This is a regular, onsite position located in Los Alamos, NM. A period of continuous service (1 year) in the current position is required before eligibility to apply for other Laboratory jobs.

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with a large nationwide network.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Free basic life and disability insurance.
• Paid childbirth and parental leave.
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually).
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance.
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays).
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs.
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50-mile radius).

For full consideration, applicants must submit a resume and comprehensive cover letter addressing each key requirement of this position. Due to federal restrictions, citizens of the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation who are not Lawful Permanent Residents are prohibited from accessing facilities supporting national security laboratories.