Senior Technical Project Manager, Software Engineer and AI

Overview

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, Integrated Discovery 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 NSD, 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.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a Senior Technical Project Manager to lead software implementation projects from conception through operations and sustainment. The ideal candidate brings national security domain knowledge, software engineering or data science expertise, applied AI and proficiency in agile project management, with proven ability to manage scope, schedule, budget, and stakeholder expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive technical program strategy and end-to-end execution across software engineering, data science, and AI/ML initiatives—from roadmap development and project initiation through deployment, operations transition, and sustainment handoff—delivering mission-critical outcomes across agentic AI, data platforms, cloud infrastructure, and software systems
• Partner directly with sponsors—to understand mission needs and translate them into practical technical strategies
• Lead and mentor engineering teams, guide critical technical decisions, and establish practices that turn research and prototypes into reliable operational capabilities
• Own integrated planning and controls—scope, schedule, budget, milestones, resourcing, and governance—delivering clear, actionable status reporting and documented decisions
• Apply agile practices to support iterative software delivery, data science experimentation, and development cycles
• Collaborate with Technical Leads, Architects, Principal Investigators, Data Scientists, and SMEs to drive execution, resolve blockers, and align technical decisions with program objectives
• Maintain project artifacts in Jira/Confluence (backlogs, roadmaps, decision logs, action items, dependency tracking)
• Identify and mitigate risks and issues across scope, technical execution, data quality, model performance, ML-Ops readiness, security/compliance, and deployment
• Serve as primary stakeholder interface, translating mission objectives into executable plans and managing expectations on progress, risks, and tradeoffs

This position is based in Richland, WA or Seattle, WA and requires an onsite presence.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 11+ years of relevant project management experience -OR- MS/MA or higher and 9+ years of relevant project management experience
• Experience managing software engineering, analytics, AI/ML, or data science projects in technically complex environments, including experimentation, validation, deployment, and operationalization

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in computer science, data science, information technology, engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience with National Security or federal government projects.
• Demonstrated success with cross-functional teams (software engineers, data scientists, researchers, SMEs).
• Experienced in agile delivery methodologies and project management tools, including Jira and Confluence.
• Demonstrated strength in sponsor engagement and stakeholder communication, including effective interaction with senior leaders and mission stakeholders.
• PMP certification or commitment to obtain and maintain within a defined period after hire.

Additional Information

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.

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

About PNNL

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.

Benefits

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year. Research Associates excluded. All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

Pay

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.

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