Senior Data Scientist 3 - AI-Enabled Signal Exploitation

Do you want to create a legacy of meaningful research for the greater good? Do you want to lead and contribute to work in support of an organization that addresses some of today’s most challenging problems that face our Nation? Do you want to work with engaging and collaborative teams? Then join us in the Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics Division at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as a Data Scientist in the AI Communications and Signals Exploitation Team. Our team focuses on integrating state-of-the-art AI research with signal processing tools and RF hardware to solve challenging National Security problems.

This role blends basic research and real-world implementation to solve some of the most complex and cutting‑edge challenges in modern communication and signal processing. The primary focus of this position is the development and implementation of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to enhance the performance, security, and efficiency of radio frequency (RF) communication and sensing systems. These systems are vital for a range of national security applications, including surveillance, secure communications, and electronic warfare.

Responsibilities

Designs, develop, and implement 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.

• Conduct cutting‑edge research to develop new AI techniques and algorithms for RF signal processing, including but not limited to automatic modulation recognition, signal detection and classification, and adaptive communication systems.
• Apply machine learning and deep learning methodologies to improve the analysis, interpretation, and management of RF signals in noisy and contested environments.
• Collaborate with cross‑disciplinary teams to integrate AI technologies into existing and next‑generation RF communication systems, ensuring they meet stringent security and reliability standards.
• Design, implement, and iterate on novel deep learning methods to directly address National Security problems.
• Be able to recreate state of the art architectures, training techniques and digital signal processing blocks from journal publications with minimal examples and/or author code access.
• Stay abreast of advancements in AI, machine learning, and RF technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement in national security applications.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience
• MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience
• PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Highly experienced in Python development and common associated libraries such as Numpy and Scipy.
• Experience developing, training, and testing machine learning models in frameworks like PyTorch and Sklearn.
• Experience applying machine learning and artificial intelligence to communications, signal processing or time series signals.
• 3+ years of experience with signal processing or electrical engineering sub‑domain.
• 3+ years in machine learning or applied science/research in academia or industry.
• 5+ years of experience with general purpose programming language (Python preferred).
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not applicable.

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

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 candidate selected is 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), 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.

HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation, which includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year.