Principal Advisor, AI and Analytics

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

5d•Onsite

About The Position

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, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational 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 the 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. The Principal Advisor, AI and Analytics is a senior, highly collaborative role at the intersection of cutting‑edge technology and national security. Based in Washington, DC, you will be a strategic connector—bringing together PNNL’s AI, data science, and analytics teams with U.S. Government sponsors, other national labs, industry, and academia. You will facilitate the creation of programs that apply AI and analytics to the nation’s most challenging security problems. Drawing on deep mission understanding and technical fluency, you will orchestrate cross‑organizational teams, shape R&D directions, and help modernize analytic production. You will regularly engage senior leaders across national security government agencies as a trusted advisor on AI and emerging technologies. This role is ideal for a collaborative leader who thrives on pulling together diverse experts—analysts, scientists, engineers, and policymakers—to solve problems no single organization can tackle alone. The position is located in Washington, DC with travel to Richland, WA and Seattle, WA.

Requirements

BS/BA and 13 years of relevant experience -OR-
MS/MA or higher and 11 years of relevant experience
U.S. Citizenship
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.
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).
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.

Nice To Haves

Degree relevant to this position.
Experience working for a government agency in national security or defense.
Demonstrated success leading applied research, technical analysis, or operational programs that require close collaboration across multiple organizations.
Proven ability to engage as a credible expert with senior U.S. Government leaders (e.g., flag/general officers, Assistant Secretary/Deputy Secretary or Director/Deputy Director level), clearly communicating complex AI and analytics topics and influencing decisions on R&D and operational priorities.
Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication, including experience briefing and producing high-impact analytic or technical products for senior policymakers and military or agency leadership.
Strong track record working within and leading interdisciplinary teams composed of analysts, scientists, and engineers.
Demonstrated ability to identify new mission-driven opportunities, build relationships, and turn them into funded programs or initiatives.
Experience leading or chairing highly collaborative committees, working groups, or communities of practice focused on scientific and technical topics.
Extensive experience with AI in a national security context, including the ability to explain technical implications, risks, and opportunities to senior non-technical leaders.
Proven ability to build and sustain trusted relationships across all levels—from junior analysts to senior executives—across multiple agencies, labs, and partner organizations.
Established network with senior government executives responsible for AI, and familiarity with key AI-relevant industry and academic partners.
Mastery of analytic tradecraft and a proven ability to train, mentor, and elevate analysts and technical staff across organizations.
Possession of an active security clearance.

Responsibilities

Maintain deep, current knowledge of PNNL’s AI, data science, and analytics portfolio and actively connect these capabilities to sponsor mission needs through joint working sessions, meetings, and collaborative forums.
Serve as a primary liaison between senior sponsor leadership and PNNL project teams in DC, Seattle, and Richland, ensuring two‑way translation of mission needs and technical possibilities.
Convene and lead multidisciplinary teams from PNNL, sponsor organizations, other national labs, industry, and academia to co‑develop visionary AI‑ and analytics‑enabled solutions to sponsors’ hardest problems.
Build consensus and advocacy for implementation by aligning technical approaches with policy, operational, and acquisition realities.
Leverage deep knowledge of sponsor missions, day‑to‑day operations, and analytic tradecraft to jointly define problem sets, success criteria, and roadmaps for new starts and major initiatives.
Provide authoritative technical and policy insight to PNNL and sponsor leadership on AI and emerging technologies, informing internal R&D investment and external program strategy.
Co‑develop strategies for PNNL’s AI, data science, and analytics portfolio that incorporate emerging national and international trends and lessons learned from collaborative efforts.
Improve PNNL’s analytic products by mentoring others on state‑of‑the‑art analytic tradecraft and processes.
Advocate for and support improved analytic tradecraft standards, ensuring AI‑ and data‑enabled products are rigorous, policy‑relevant, and accessible to senior consumers.
Organize and host visiting government and industry teams at PNNL’s DC, Richland, and Seattle facilities, designing engagements as working sessions that produce concrete collaborative outcomes.
Strengthen partnerships with other DOE labs, government agencies, and AI‑relevant industry and academic partners to enable cross‑lab and cross‑agency initiatives of national importance.
Represent PNNL in interagency and multi‑agency forums focused on AI and emerging technologies, and help lead or contribute to key committees and working groups.
Provide collaborative leadership and advisory support to cross‑functional project teams (analysts, scientists, engineers, and developers) to help them prioritize, meet delivery schedules, and resolve technical and analytic challenges.
Mentor junior and senior staff on sponsor interaction, briefing and writing at the highest levels, and career progression—fostering a culture of shared learning, high tradecraft standards, and cross‑organizational collaboration.

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.

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