Data Scientist - Field Robotics 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, 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 Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nations biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including:

• Modernizing our nations power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure.
• Research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system.
• Resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The Coastal Sciences Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is headquartered at PNNL-Sequim on Washington States Olympic Peninsula. Our unique facility is the Department of Energys only marine research laboratory, and the capabilities of its researchers deliver science and technology critical to the nations energy, environmental, and security future.

We focus on research related to marine and coastal resources, environmental chemistry, water resources modeling, marine engineering, environmental modeling and monitoring, and national security-the division is an emerging leader in three areas:

• Enabling sustainable development of ocean energy.
• Understanding and mitigating long-term impacts of human activities, including climate change, on marine resources.
• Protecting coastal environments from security threats.

# Responsibilities

Designs, develops, and implements methods, processes, and systems to analyze diverse data. Applies knowledge of statistics, machine learning, advanced mathematics, simulation, software development, and data modeling to integrate and clean data, recognize patterns, address uncertainty, pose questions, and make discoveries from structured and/or unstructured data. Produces solutions driven by exploratory data analysis from complex and high-dimensional datasets. Designs, develops, and evaluates predictive models and advanced algorithms that lead to optimal value extraction from the data. Demonstrates ability to transfer skills across application domains.

The Coastal Sciences team at PNNL Sequim is small, close-knit, collegial, academically diverse, and comprised of around 80 researchers working in fields from marine autonomy to algal biofuels.

As a national lab, we work on research problems for a diverse sponsor set, for whom we seek to produce solutions to the greatest problems of our age. The specific work we do depends on the intersection of interests of our proposal-writing researchers and willing sponsors, and there is significant room to tailor work and responsibilities to research interests.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratorys (PNNL) Coastal Sciences Division (CSD) is seeking a mid-career data scientist to work alongside its existing, close-knit, multi-disciplinary team to help continue to execute and grow its burgeoning portfolio in field robotics, sensing, and AI.

Innovation in the marine domain requires input from more than just marine scientists. Increasingly it requires roboticists, computer scientists, and ML engineers who can work along marine scientists and oceanographers to identify approaches to observe and understand the natural world using the latest and greatest of robotic, sensing, AI, and communication technologies. This role seeks to add an experienced researcher to the existing robotics, software, and AI team within Coastal Sciences.

We seek a professionally trained and experienced roboticist, computer scientist, or ML engineer with significant history executing and leading work in those spaces in academic or research roles, with experience in and love for the maritime domain, and an ability to communicate the complex technologies youve mastered to colleagues, sponsors, and collaborators from other domains. When the situation demands it, the ideal candidate can also work with hardware either in the lab or in a rocking boat. Successful candidates must also demonstrate the ability to navigate complex organizational or proposal processes, and teach colleagues.

Existing work that this position would be involved in includes:

• Onboard marine robotic autonomy and data processing software stack development for in-house autonomous surface vessels (ASVs), autonomous underwater vessels (AUVs), and autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs).
• Real-time multi-sensor sensor array, networking, interfacing, and data processing development for video, acoustic, and other novel sensor array systems.
• Deep learning and AI-based detection, tracking, and reasoning on diverse marine and field sensors streams.
• The development of robust, communication pipelines both on-prem, in-field, as well as to cloud.
• Design, configuration, and management of heterogenous clusters of computing resources for various lab and deployment needs.

The right candidate:

• Is excited to be a part of a close-knit and interdisciplinary team, and to represent and share their unique domain expertise as part of it.
• Is an adaptive generalist, with a deep background in software engineering, robotics, and machine learning, who has strong communication skills, and a teaching spirit.
• Is excited to work in the maritime domain, support marine deployments, and work alongside colleagues both in office and in the field.
• Is driven to identify and pursue novel science questions and share the results of research with the broader community.
• Can handle working on multiple projects simultaneously, navigate complex organizational processes, and maintain long-term vision despite short-term ambiguity.

# Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA -OR-
• PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• A graduate degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical/Computer Engineering OR significant experience illustrating an ability to perform and lead research in robotics, software engineering, and deep learning without an applicable degree.
• Proven software development experience in professional and research settings within large, multi-developer code bases.
• A track record of object-oriented programming experience in Python, C/C++, and/or Rust.
• A deep knowledge of and demonstrated comfort with Linux computer systems and the ability to setup and configure them.
• Familiarity with common sensor hardware, communication protocols, and networking systems.
• Experience with PyTorch, Tensorflow, or another auto-grad library, a clear understanding of the fundamentals of machine learning and deep learning, and experience applying cutting-edge deep learning models to real world data.
• Knowledge of common statistical methods, probability theory, graduate-level linear algebra, and control theory.
• Significant experience creating, developing within, and deploying containerized software environments using tools such as Docker, Podman, or other containerization engines.
• Significant experience configuring and using modern dev-ops tools and pipelines.
• Experience designing, building, and programming robotic systems.
• Research experience culminating in publications, talks, or other technical products.
• Experience with ROS2, Gazebo, and Isaac Sim.
• Experience in marine or field robotics and a familiarity with common robotics platforms in these domains.
• Experience with embedded systems, micro-controllers, single-board computers, sensor integration, and SWAP-constrained systems.
• Experience with common marine sensors and the oceanographic properties they measure.
• Experience with IoT protocols and systems.
• Experience working with government sponsors, within soft-money research, and writing proposals.
• Experience deploying technologies in and operating within in the maritime domain.
• Interest in natural systems and wildlife behavior and tracking.
• Interest and ability to work in the field and on boats.

# Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable

# 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 Labs 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.

# Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.

# Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.

# Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, 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. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. 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.

# Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that 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.

# Rockstar Rewards

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.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards

# Notice to Applicants

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 individuals 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.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

# Minimum Salary

USD $114,000.00/Yr.

# Maximum Salary

USD $182,100.00/Yr.