Technical Project Manager, Software Engineer and AI

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

3h•$140,200 - $228,800•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 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.

Requirements

BS/BA and 9+ years of relevant project management experience -OR- MS/MA or higher and 7+ years of relevant project management experience
U.S. Citizenship
Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
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.
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.
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.
PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential.
To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication.
All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation).
Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates: If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment.
Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.
The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.
The Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle.
If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

Degree in computer science, data science, information technology, engineering, or a related technical field
Experience managing software engineering, analytics, AI/ML, or data science projects in technically complex environments
Experience working with cross-functional teams that include software engineers, data scientists, researchers, and subject matter experts
Familiarity with agile delivery methods and project tracking tools such as Jira and Confluence
Familiarity with data science and AI/ML lifecycle activities, including experimentation, validation, deployment, and operationalization
Experience developing and managing project schedules, budgets, dependencies, and delivery metrics
Experience supporting sponsor engagement and communicating with technical and program stakeholders
Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and team collaboration skills
PMP certification or ability to obtain and maintain certification within a defined period after hire

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day execution of software engineering, data science, and AI/ML projects from initiation through deployment and transition to operations.
Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, budgets, milestones, staffing plans, and status reporting.
Apply agile project management practices to support software delivery, data science experimentation, and iterative development.
Coordinate with Technical Leads, Software Architects, Principal Investigators, data scientists, engineers, and subject matter experts to support project execution and issue resolution.
Support management of data science and AI/ML workstreams, including planning for data readiness, experimentation, model development, validation, deployment, and operational integration.
Track project progress, risks, dependencies, decisions, and action items using tools such as Jira and Confluence.
Identify, communicate, and help mitigate project risks related to scope, technical execution, data availability, model performance, and deployment readiness.
Communicate project status, issues, and recommendations to sponsors, leadership, and project teams.
Support management of complex project scope by balancing sponsor priorities, technical constraints, and delivery timelines.
Provide routine performance feedback for project team members and partner with line management to support staff development.
Create development opportunities for project team members through stretch assignments, sponsor exposure, technical challenges, and participation in new initiatives.
Support the Project Management Office, Sector, and line management with project planning, proposal development, recruiting, and process improvement activities.
Serve as a project interface with sponsors and stakeholders, building understanding of mission objectives and operational requirements.
Mentor at least one early-career project manager or project team member and contribute to the growth of project management capability within the organization.
Support professional development across the team, including planning for conferences, publications, and other development opportunities as appropriate within project resources.