OverviewAt 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 anEnvironmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.
The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division,part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is accelerating the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy.
The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division (EIBD) is one of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s most innovative teams. We are talented, award-winning administrators, specialists, technicians, managers, scientists, and engineers, and we’re working at the forefront of some of America’s toughest energy challenges. Our mission is to provide multi-disciplinary solutions to energy challenges that have impacts on a national scale. We employ a systems perspective that addresses technological, economic, regulatory, and market barriers to improve the nation’s energy systems from generation to end-use. We provide transparent, reproducible, and unbiased results to guide policy and technological innovation. The Energy Technology Deployment (ETD) Group within EIBD investigates focuses on market transformation and federal technical support. ETDG applies expertise in program design and management to speed the deployment of technologies that improve energy efficiency and resilience of the built environment. ETD has 53 staff members across 2 capability areas:
- Federal Technical Support – Staff apply knowledge of federal agency energy and sustainability performance mandates, missions and operations to support the implementation of institutional changes (e.g. programs, policies, behavior) that enable their achievement.
- Market Transformation – Staff design and implement programs that speed market adoption of energy efficient building technologies through stakeholder engagement, training and education, and direct technical assistance.
We are looking for a Scientist & Engineer I to provide support to projects focused on technology tracking for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI). This includes analysis of technology tracking of DOE-funded research and development projects across multiple programs in Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, Bioenergy, Buildings, Geothermal, Hydrogen and Hydrogen Fuel Cell technologies, Solar, Transportation, Wind and Water. The research team investigates how the various engineering and science disciplines are used and applied to energy efficient technologies and renewable energy sources.
Position locations include Seattle, Richland, WA, or hybrid.
Duties will include tracking data collection via internet searches, DOE office program records, intellectual property (patents), and contacting technology developer/project principal investigators primarily by email and telephone.
Other duties will include tracking data processing and formatting for publication and entry into PNNL’s technology tracking database. Technology Tracking’s outreach activities involve contacting private company, National Laboratory, and University researchers who have received project funding through DOE – these projects may already be in progress – and investigate any possible technology development arising from the R&D funding.
The Technology Tracking group also collect and analyze patents and patent applications related to the technology areas and maintain project records for the various office programs. The tracking team is developing and expanding an online database of technology data for CMEI’s Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Technologies (AMMT) program which would include summary articles and other relevant technology data related to technologies resulting from office R&D funding. The scope of PNNL’s technology tracking work is expanding to include DOE-wide comprehensive analysis of program impact of various funding mechanisms, e.g. Financial Assistance, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
The candidate will work alongside project investigators on a broad scope of energy efficient and energy generation technologies and their commercialization trajectories. This will require a basic background understanding of the technology and the engineering and scientific principals involved. The candidate is expected to assist in the collection of technology background and patents, and in developing a searchable electronic database to be made available for public access. This data will be used for advanced analysis methods to evaluate commercialization success/barrier parameters, visualization of technology landscapes, patent IP analysis, and economic analysis.
The successful candidate will be accountable to:
- Project Managers for performing assigned roles, following applicable project and field procedures, and performance of assigned tasks on time and within budget.
- The team lead, Energy Technology Deployment Group Leader, for general staff performance and development, operational discipline (e.g., maintaining training qualifications, procedural compliance, safe operations), and project execution.
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in science or engineering
- Interest in energy efficiency technology, manufacturing and materials research and development.
- Proficiency in PowerPoint, Word, Access, and Excel (inc. VBA development environment).
- Experience in collaborative team environment to achieve project goals.
- Demonstrated understanding of energy science or technology assessment.
- Familiarity with federal research and development funding landscape.
- Experience in conducting due diligence research online including federal resources.
- Experience with searching and collecting data from the U.S. Patent Office website.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- A collaborative approach to problem-solving and the ability to work well with inter-disciplinary and geographically distributed teams.
Additional InformationNot Applicable.
Testing Designated PositionThis is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
About PNNLPacific 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, and flexible work schedules. 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 and Equal Employment OpportunityOur laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, 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 WorkplacePNNL 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.
Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility RequirementsAs a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.
Mandatory RequirementsPlease 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 RewardsEmployees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, 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 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
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Notice to ApplicantsPNNL 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 SalaryUSD $80,500.00/Yr.
Maximum SalaryUSD $108,200.00/Yr.
