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 nation’s 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 nation’s 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; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.
The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is accelerating the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy
Responsibilities
This position is in the Building Simulation and Design Group (BS&DG) within PNNL’s Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division. BS&DG conducts modeling and analysis to evaluate the impacts of building energy policies, codes, and standards; develops tools and workflows to support building research and decision making; and helps accelerate adoption of energy-efficient technologies. The group maintains core research capabilities in building energy simulation, building energy policy analysis, and tool development for building applications.
The BS&DG is seeking a Software Engineer II - Building Applications with strong knowledge of software engineering and web application development to contribute to building technology applications. The selected candidate will serve as an individual contributor to project teams, developing technical approaches and developing, improving, and maintaining software systems that support building energy efficiency. Responsibilities include contributing to software releases, publications, and presentations, and communicating technical progress, results, and limitations to project teams and collaborators.
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Performing assigned roles under the direction of Project and/or Task Managers, following applicable project and field procedures, and completing assigned tasks on time and within budget.
- Applying established software development practices, including version control, code review, testing, and documentation, within an Agile development environment.
- Working with staff across the group and division to translate domain needs into software requirements and develop, improve, and maintain applications, software components, and reusable libraries.
- Independently completing recurring assignments and defining and leading small tasks or projects, coordinating with contributors, and delivering technically sound results within assigned scope, schedule, and budget.
- Working with project teams and collaborators to understand research needs, contribute to technical approaches, and communicate progress, findings, and limitations.
- Contributing to software releases, technical reports, journal articles, and conference presentations, leading elements or sections of technical products, and presenting findings in project meetings and technical forums.
- Contributing research ideas and technical content to proposals for research and capability development opportunities.
- Collaborating across the group and division to share methods, strengthen research capabilities, and identify opportunities for related research.
- Maintaining accountability to Project and/or Task Managers, the Group Leader, and the Team Leader for assigned responsibilities, project execution, professional development, and operational discipline, including compliance with applicable procedures, training requirements, and quality, safety, and security expectations.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a full academic or research CV.
This position will be based at a PNNL office in Portland, OR, Richland, WA, or Seattle, WA, with an on-site presence expected. Hybrid work arrangements may be available in accordance with laboratory policy, project needs, and team expectations. Remote work may be considered for candidates with strong technical expertise and demonstrated success working remotely.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical field, and 2 years of relevant software development experience -OR-
- MS/MA -OR-PhD in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical field
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages (such as JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, or PHP)
Relevant experience includes degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field, with relevant software development experience and evidence of growing independence in technical work and project contributions. Proficiency in one or more programming languages.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Graduate degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field, with relevant software development experience and evidence of growing independence in technical work and project contributions.
- Significant experience with full-stack software development, web application development, and database engineering.
- Experience with one or more web application technologies such as Node.js, React, Ruby on Rails, Django, or FastAPI, with the ability to learn additional languages and frameworks as project needs evolve.
- Experience developing or integrating APIs and working with structured data, including data exchange and validation.
- Working knowledge of relational databases and object-relational mapping (ORM) tools.
- Experience using Git, code review, software testing, and documentation to support collaborative software development and reliable releases.
- Experience working in an Agile development environment and using issue-tracking tools such as Jira.
- Experience developing, testing, and evaluating AI-enabled software applications using large language models, with capabilities such as model API integration, external tool use, or agentic workflows.
- Familiarity with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) or related approaches for incorporating domain documents and structured data into AI applications, with attention to source traceability, output accuracy, and human review.
- Experience using AI-assisted development tools to support coding, testing, or documentation, with demonstrated ability to review, test, and validate generated outputs.
- Demonstrated ability to independently complete recurring software development assignments, contribute to technical approaches, and define and lead small tasks within assigned scope, schedule, and budget.
- Knowledge of or experience with building energy systems, building energy auditing, simulation tools such as DOE-2, EnergyPlus, FEDS, or OpenStudio, or data exchange formats and standards such as gbXML, BuildingSync, or HPXML.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated through software documentation, technical reports, publications, or presentations, and effective collaboration across disciplines.
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment
Not Applicable.
Additional Information
Not Applicable.
Testing Designated Position
This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
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.
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
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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 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.
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 $109,000.00/Yr. Maximum Salary
USD $163,600.00/Yr.