Post Masters Research Associate – Engineering and Project Support

Overview

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 National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world. The Physical Detection Systems and Deployment Division, part of the National Security Directorate, delivers policy-informed technology solutions by removing barriers to real-world implementation. We strive to understand end-user environments to transition technology from the developmental stage to deployment. Our diverse expertise in operational systems provides tools, technologies, and approaches for combating a range of threats, both at home and in more than 100 countries around the globe.

The Advanced Solutions & Integration (ASI) Group within PNNL’s Physical Detection Systems & Deployment Division develops and deploys engineering systems that address nuclear security, nuclear nonproliferation, and operational resilience challenges. The successful candidate will support national security-focused engineering activities, with primary assignments supporting the U.S. High Performance Research Reactor (USHPRR) Conversion Project. This project assists universities, private-sector partners, and government facilities in transitioning research reactors from highly enriched uranium to low-enriched uranium.

Additional work may support isotope production research and development, robotics, inspection technologies, and other engineering applications. This position is well suited for a recent master’s graduate with interests in systems engineering, project management, mechanical design, engineering technology, robotics, data analysis, or related fields. The successful candidate may:

• Support engineering and design teams with surge design activities using Solid Works.
• Develop and implement an electronic bill of materials (eBOM) and explore predictive analytics applications to support engineering and project management.
• Support engineering applications involving industrial engineering, robotics, inspection, and sensor integration.
• Assist with the design, integration, and testing of linear positioning systems for sensors and other instrumentation.
• Apply basic software and data-analysis principles to engineering problems.
• Develop data visualizations, reports, and dashboards using Python and Power BI.
• Support laboratory activities, equipment setup, testing, and documentation.
• Assist with project planning, coordination, tracking, and technical documentation.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, technicians, project managers, and external partners.
• Communicate technical information clearly through written documentation, presentations, and verbal briefings.
• Balance competing priorities while maintaining organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Perform other related engineering and project-support duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have received a Master’s degree within the past 24 months or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering, industrial engineering, engineering technology, bioengineering, robotics, computer science, or a related discipline.
• Experience using Solid Works or comparable computer-aided design software.
• Experience with Python for data analysis, automation, or engineering applications.
• Experience developing dashboards or reports using Microsoft Power BI.
• Familiarity with robotics, industrial automation, inspection systems, or sensor integration.
• Experience with linear positioning systems, motion-control…