Instrument Control, User Interface, and Data Systems Software Engineer II

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments called Directorates, each focused on a specific area of scientific research or function. The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to address complex, real-world threats. The Physical Detection Systems and Deployment Division (PDSD), part of NSD, delivers policy-informed technology solutions by removing barriers to real-world implementation. The Disruptive Technology group within PDSD supports national-security missions requiring instrumentation, control systems, data acquisition, measurement science, and technical problem-solving across physics and engineering applications.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain software for hardware control, data acquisition, operator interfaces, automated test workflows, and instrument communications for complex measurement systems under the guidance of senior staff.
• Develop and maintain user interfaces and software tools that allow scientists, engineers, technicians, and operators to configure systems, monitor system health, execute measurement workflows, and review results under the guidance of senior staff.
• Integrate software with sensors, detectors, electronics, valves, controllers, motion or flow-control devices, data loggers, and other instrument subsystems.
• Contribute to data-collection and data-management workflows for experimental, calibration, and operational datasets.
• Troubleshoot software, hardware/software interfaces, timing issues, communications failures, data-integrity issues, and system-performance anomalies in collaboration with engineering and science teams.
• Support automation improvements for sample processing, calibration, detector verification, archive sample workflows, system diagnostics, and repeatable test execution.
• Apply modern software engineering practices, including version control, documentation, modular design, unit/integration testing, code review, configuration management, and cybersecurity-aware development practices.
• Demonstrate initiative in learning new technologies and applying them to mission needs.
• Contribute to technical approaches for new sensors, AI/ML-assisted diagnostics, improved analytics, and emerging technologies where they provide clear mission value.
• Assist in preparation of technical documentation, user guidance, test records, figures, data summaries, and internal reports that support project execution and sponsor communication.
• Operate with high standards for quality, safety, security, conduct of research, and protection of sensitive information.

This position is based in Richland, WA and requires an onsite presence Monday through Friday.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD or MS/MA or BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or a closely related field.
• Experience contributing to software for hardware control, instrument automation, measurement systems, data acquisition, or laboratory test systems.
• Experience with Linux environments.
• Proficiency in one or more languages commonly used for scientific or instrument-control software, such as Python, C/C++, C#, MATLAB, LabVIEW, JavaScript/TypeScript, or equivalent tools.
• Exposure to multi-threaded or asynchronous applications.
• Exposure to user-interface development for technical applications, such as configuration panels, monitoring dashboards, or data-review tools.
• Experience working with communication protocols or hardware/software interfaces such as serial, TCP/IP, Modbus, OPC-UA, SCPI, or vendor SDKs.
• Experience building repeatable data pipelines and analysis workflows for large, noisy, or operationally generated datasets.
• Experience with scripting languages for automation (Bash, Python, JavaScript).
• Familiarity with SQL or other data storage systems.
• Experience supporting or troubleshooting software in laboratory environments.
• Familiarity with software lifecycle practices for mission systems, including requirements traceability, issue tracking, testing, release management, configuration control, and maintainable documentation.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and translate science and engineering needs into reliable, usable software capabilities.
• Interest in using AI/ML, anomaly detection, data visualization, or advanced analytics where appropriate to improve diagnostics, throughput, maintainability, or measurement confidence.
• Active or recent DOE Q clearance is desirable but not required unless determined by final project needs.

Benefits

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.

Additional Information

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
• A security clearance background investigation includes review of employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with personal references, neighbors, and co-workers.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter.
• This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP), subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with federal law.