Applied AI Software Developer; Software Developer

What You Will Do

The Weapons Research Services – Secure Networks and Assurance (WRS‑SNA) group is seeking an Applied AI Software Developer to work in the Nuclear Weapons Cyber Assurance Laboratory (NWCAL). Depending on the candidate’s skill set, the position will be filled at either the Software Developer 2 or Software Developer 3 level. The role involves developing and deploying advanced AI‑enabled software systems that support hardware assurance, software assurance, cyber‑physical resilience, and operational technology mission areas aligned with the LANL weapons mission.

As a Software Developer 2, you will:

• Work within a multidisciplinary engineering team to develop, implement, and maintain AI‑enabled software applications and workflows that support assurance and operational mission objectives.
• Develop AI‑enabled applications using modern machine learning and large language model technologies.
• Implement scalable software systems in local and distributed compute environments and integrate AI capabilities into operational workflows.
• Participate in all stages of the application lifecycle, including implementation, testing, deployment, and sustainment.
• Work in Linux‑based environments using modern development tools, containerized workflows, source control systems, and CI/CD practices.
• Engage with mission challenges involving AI systems, cyber‑physical environments, and operational assurance capabilities.

In addition to the responsibilities at the lower level, a Software Developer 3 will:

• Demonstrate advanced technical capability in designing, implementing, and deploying purpose‑built AI software systems in production or operational environments.
• Provide independent technical contributions to software architecture, AI workflow implementation, development standards, and engineering execution across collaborative teams.
• Contribute to technical direction, mentor less experienced developers, and guide implementation approaches for mission‑focused AI capabilities.
• Maintain familiarity with formal software development lifecycle practices, including source control management, testing methodologies, deployment workflows, and maintainable software design principles.

• Knowledge and experience programming in Python with modern AI/ML frameworks and libraries (e.g., PyTorch, Tensor Flow, Pandas, Num Py, Sci Py).
• Experience developing and deploying AI‑enabled applications using large language models (LLMs), retrieval augmented generation (RAG), agentic workflows, model orchestration frameworks, or related AI technologies.
• Experience developing software within Linux environments using Git, Git Lab, containerization technologies, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience developing applications utilizing GPU‑enabled local and distributed compute environments.
• Experience working within collaborative software development environments and following modern development standards and engineering best practices.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary technical teams of software developers, engineers, analysts, and scientific staff.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts and development activities to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• DOE Q‑clearance is required.

• Demonstrated experience deploying purpose‑built AI‑enabled software applications in operational, research, or production environments.
• Experience contributing to formal software development lifecycle activities: testing, code review, deployment workflows, and development standards.
• Experience designing or implementing scalable AI workflows and distributed AI application architectures.
• Experience contributing independently to technical implementation efforts within collaborative engineering teams.
• Experience evaluating hardware, software, and infrastructure requirements supporting AI‑enabled application development and deployment.

Software Developer 2:
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field and five (5) years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Software Developer 3:
B…