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Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Embedded Systems Engineer - Early Career in Richland, Washington

Overview

Protecting U.S. residents and visitors is among our nation’s highest priorities. As adversaries gain access to sophisticated technologies and materials, the threats grow more dynamic and complex—from cyber and nuclear to chemical and biological weapons of mass effect and other forms of terrorism. The PNNL national security mission employs our researchers, tools, and technologies to play a key role in advancing the ability to identify and secure nuclear materials, detect weapons of mass effect, manage nonproliferation treaties, secure our nation's borders, and protect critical infrastructures. PNNL’s scientific discovery and capabilities—rooted in innovative theory, methods, algorithms, and tools—are enabling stronger, more resilient technologies and systems to safeguard national security. Coupled with decades of radiological and nuclear materials expertise, advanced computing and threat analysis capabilities, and a broad fundamental science base, we are identifying and countering emerging threats that have significant impact at home and around the globe.

Where do you see yourself in S years? Do you want to make a difference and impact National Security? Come and work for a billion-dollar international research institution. Our collaborative environment and commitment to work/life balance makes Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) an ideal place to advance your career, challenge yourself and make a difference. We offer excellent benefits including pension, matching 401(k), tuition reimbursement plans, health insurance, and flexible work schedules. We are a group of passionate makers who have a long history of building and deploying embedded RF sensor systems for a wide variety of sponsors and applications. We are 50+ electronics engineers, software engineers, mechanical engineers, physicists, etc.; all sharing the DNA and desire to deploy solutions for our sponsors that help the mission of national security. We are looking for that unique person who loves building things, the people who build them, and has a desire to connect our technology to the people who need our help: those on the front lines protecting and serving our country. Specifically, in this role we are looking to enhance our capabilities in the area of embedded systems related to national security applications.

Responsibilities

PNNL seeks a motivated early career engineer that is ready and willing to learn new skills in designing and testing of electronic and software systems to further national security interests. The Advanced Engineered Systems group within PNNL builds embedded electronic systems to support projects including imaging systems, radiation detection and system health monitoring, cyber security and advanced radio frequency devices to sense, communicate with other devices.

This position will give the applicant the skills to become proficient in common embedded systems tools such as design and test of electronic circuits and printed circuit boards, software development specifically for resource constrained microcontrollers, and development of state of the art Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based systems and systems on chips/modules (SOC/SOM) for hardware acceleration computing applications. The applicant will be required to develop schematics, select components and test circuits in order to meet defined system requirements. C/C++ and python software languages will be extensively used to automate tasks, collect data from analog and digital systems and deliver data to modern computing systems. FPGA development will include selection of commercial FPGA products, synthesis and implementation of register-transfer-logic (RTL) code to deployable FPGA files, high level tools for signal processing and C conversion to RTL, and development of embedded Linux applications. Setup and testing of electronics systems will be extensively required as well as analysis of electronic properties and RF data. The job duties will give the applicant the opportunity to experience electrical and computer engineering fundamentals as applied to real-world applications in a research environment, while assisting in missions that make our nation safer.

Key Responsibilities

  • Write software utilities in C/C++ Write software for embedded systems and understand specific needs of resource-constrained, low size/weight/power (SWaP) systems

  • Read schematics and develop small circuits to meet various system needs

  • Write RTL test modules to validate existing FPGA code

  • Configure electronic systems for system validation and testing

  • Test electronic systems for performance verification

Additional Responsibilities

  • Load designs onto microprocessors and FPGA systems and verify functionality

  • Utilize Xilinx toolsets to initialize complex FPGA SOCs and build projects from scratch

  • Utilize python and other scripting languages to automate testing of FPGA designs

  • Analyze data and system responses for root cause or performance analysis

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-

  • MS/MA -OR-

  • PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Familiarity with source control tool GIT: bitbucket, Github, Sublime Merge, SourceTree, etc.

  • Skills in Python, TCL, Verilog,

  • Skills and\/or training with Altium or other PCB layout applications

  • Basic electronic circuit theory and familiarity with datasheets

  • Circuit simulation SPICE tools

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. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy until non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months can be demonstrated.

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be 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.

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, flexible work schedules and telework options. 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, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.

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. 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.

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. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

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, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, 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 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

  • Research Associates excluded.

**Once eligibility requirements are met.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards (https://careers.pnnl.gov/rockstar-rewards)

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 $96,000.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $144,000.00/Yr.

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