Technical Project Manager, Software Engineer and AI

Technical Project Manager

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. 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.

We are seeking an experienced Technical Project Manager to lead software implementation projects from conception through operations and sustainment. The ideal candidate brings national security domain knowledge, software engineering or data science expertise, and proficiency in agile project management, with proven ability to manage scope, schedule, budget, and stakeholder expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead project execution across software engineering, data science, and AI/ML initiatives from initiation through deployment, operations transition, and sustainment handoff
• Own integrated planning and controls—scope, schedule, budget, milestones, resourcing, and governance—delivering clear, actionable status reporting and documented decisions
• Apply agile practices to support iterative software delivery, data science experimentation, and development cycles
• Partner with Technical Leads, Architects, Principal Investigators, Data Scientists, and SMEs to drive execution, resolve blockers, and align technical decisions with program objectives
• Maintain project artifacts in Jira/Confluence (backlogs, roadmaps, decision logs, action items, dependency tracking)
• Identify and mitigate risks and issues across scope, technical execution, data quality, model performance, ML-Ops readiness, security/compliance, and deployment
• Serve as primary stakeholder interface, translating mission objectives into executable plans and managing expectations on progress, risks, and tradeoffs
• Experience with National Security or federal government projects

This position is based in Richland, WA or Seattle, WA and requires an onsite presence.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 9+ years of relevant project management experience
  -OR-
• MS/MA or higher and 7+ years of relevant project management experience
• Experience managing software engineering, analytics, AI/ML, or data science projects in technically complex environments, including experimentation, validation, deployment, and operationalization

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in computer science, data science, information technology, engineering, or related technical field
• Demonstrated success with cross-functional teams (software engineers, data scientists, researchers, SMEs)
• Proficiency with agile delivery methods and project tracking tools (Jira, Confluence)
• Proven ability developing and managing project schedules, budgets, dependencies, and delivery metrics
• Strong sponsor engagement and stakeholder communication skills
• Solid analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and collaboration capabilities
• PMP certification

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…