Software Engineer

LLNL•Livermore, CA

1d•$146,340 - $222,564•Hybrid

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is hiring a Software Engineer to design, build, and operate secure applications and platforms that help scientists and engineers manage and analyze mission-critical data. The role owns software across its lifecycle, from architecture and implementation through testing, deployment, and operations, while modernizing existing systems and creating reusable capabilities for multiple LLNL programs. Work spans Python services and REST APIs, modern web interfaces, containerized deployments, scientific visualization, databases, and CI/CD automation. The engineer partners with scientists, data engineers, and application teams to translate complex workflows into reliable, maintainable software and contributes to shared tools, standards, and integration approaches across organizational boundaries. The position is in the Applications, Simulations, and Quality Division within the Computing Directorate, supporting Strategic Deterrence application and data management programs. Some work takes place in secure environments, requiring on-site presence approximately three to four days per week. A hybrid schedule may be available after a probationary period, with the exact arrangement dependent on team and organizational needs. The position will be filled at either the SES.2 or SES.3 level according to the candidate’s knowledge and related experience. At SES.3, the role additionally leads complex systems architecture and delivery, sets technical direction, mentors or provides technical leadership, and advises management, customers, and senior technical personnel.

Requirements

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy Q-level security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Broad experience delivering maintainable software using Python, Java, TypeScript, or another modern programming language.
Broad experience in several of the following areas: web services and REST APIs, frontend development, databases, containerization, CI/CD, automated testing, scientific visualization, or production operations.
Comprehensive experience using Git or an equivalent version control system and participating in collaborative code review.
Proficient experience applying software design, testing, documentation, and maintainability practices to production code.
Broad experience translating scientific, engineering, or business workflows into software requirements and technical solutions.
Proficient written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate with technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
Constructive technical judgment, including the ability to surface risks, challenge assumptions, evaluate alternatives, and build alignment.
At SES.3, advanced experience independently designing and delivering complex software systems from architecture through deployment and operations.
At SES.3, advanced experience providing technical direction, mentoring other engineers, and influencing architectural or process decisions across projects.
At SES.3, advanced experience collaborating with management, customers, or senior technical personnel to recommend and implement systems, services, or process improvements.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Python web frameworks such as FastAPI or Flask, modern frontend frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue, and container platforms such as Docker, Kubernetes, or OpenShift.
Experience building reusable software packages, libraries, APIs, or platform capabilities for scientific or engineering users.
Familiarity with data engineering, data governance, semantic technologies, or SI/LLM-enabled applications.
Experience working in a national laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, national security, or other regulated research environment.

Responsibilities

Design, build, test, deploy, and maintain secure software applications and services supporting scientific and engineering workflows.
Own features and technical improvements across the software lifecycle, from requirements and architecture through implementation, documentation, release, and operational support.
Design and implement well-documented REST APIs, including data modeling, authentication, authorization, versioning, and error handling.
Develop usable web interfaces and scientific visualization capabilities using modern frameworks and libraries.
Build, deploy, and troubleshoot containerized applications, and contribute to CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, observability, and deployment automation.
Partner with scientists, data engineers, and application teams to understand workflows and translate them into maintainable software.
Participate in collaborative design discussions and code reviews as both an author and reviewer, providing and receiving constructive technical feedback.
Evaluate architectural and technology tradeoffs, including whether to use custom software, reusable libraries, commercial products, or platform services.
Contribute reusable components, engineering standards, and integration patterns that benefit multiple projects and teams.
Communicate technical concepts, risks, tradeoffs, and progress clearly to technical teammates and nontechnical stakeholders.
Work with senior engineers and stakeholders to prioritize a portfolio of work, make informed tradeoffs, and deliver high-value capabilities.
Perform other duties as assigned.
At SES.3, independently lead architecture and delivery of complex software systems spanning multiple applications, environments, or stakeholder organizations.
At SES.3, set technical direction, evaluate significant architectural tradeoffs, and provide technical leadership or mentorship across projects.
At SES.3, advise management, customers, and senior technical personnel on software strategy, system design, implementation approaches, and operational risk.