Computer Scientist (Scientist 2/3)

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

This position will be filled at either the Scientist 2 or 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Scientist 2 $106,400- $176,000

Scientist 3 $128,000- $215,900

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Database Engineer/Computer Scientist to help modernize and transform surveillance and predictive analytics capabilities through scalable data infrastructure, advanced analytics, and AI-enabled technologies. This opportunity is well suited for candidates from industry, national laboratories, academia, government or other technical environments who are interested in applying their database and computer science expertise to mission-driven work.

This role will support the development of next-generation digital systems designed to integrate, structure, and analyze large-scale engineering and surveillance datasets. The selected candidate will help enable predictive insight, risk-informed decision-making, and long-term mission assurance.

The ideal candidate is passionate about building robust data architectures, enabling AI/ML workflows, and solving complex engineering data challenges in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable, high-performance database architectures for engineering and surveillance data
• Develop automated data pipelines to ingest, clean, structure, validate, and integrate large datasets from multiple sources
• Support AI/ML and advanced analytics applications by preparing and optimizing data environments for predictive modeling
• Implement efficient data storage, retrieval, and query solutions for high-volume and real-time processing
• Collaborate with engineers, analysts, and scientists to develop integrated data solutions supporting predictive surveillance and system health monitoring
• Develop tools and workflows to correlate data across components, assemblies, and assets
• Ensure data integrity, security, accessibility, and long-term maintainability of database systems
• Support visualization, reporting, and analytical tools enabling actionable technical insight

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Data Systems and Database Design

Experience designing, developing, managing, or optimizing relational and/or non-relational database systems, including data modeling, schema design, query development, indexing, and performance tuning.

Programming and Data Pipeline Development

Proficiency with SQL and Python, with experience developing automated data pipelines, ETL/ELT workflows, data integration processes, or model-ready datasets.

AI/ML and Advanced Analytics Enablement

Familiarity with AI/ML workflows, predictive analytics environments, feature engineering, or data preparation practices that support advanced modeling and analysis.

Complex Technical Data Integration

Experience working with large, complex, or heterogeneous technical datasets, including engineering, scientific, manufacturing, test, surveillance, or system health data.

Collaboration and Communication

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary technical teams across engineering, science, analytics, and software disciplines.

Additional Job Requirements for Scientist 3:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at Level 3 requires:

• Technical Leadership: Experience leading complex technical projects, guiding technical direction, and making independent decisions related to database architecture, data integration, or analytical infrastructure
• Advanced System Architecture: Experience designing scalable, reliable, secure, and maintainable data systems that integrate information across multiple sources
• Strategic Data Integration: Experience developing strategies to integrate diverse engineering, scientific, surveillance, or operational datasets in support of analytics, reporting, and decision-making
• Mentorship and Team Coordination: Experience mentoring staff, coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams, and communicating technical recommendations to leadership, customers, or stakeholders
• Innovation and Capability Development: Experience identifying, evaluating, and implementing data engineering tools, methods, or technologies that improve analytical capability, workflow efficiency, or mission outcomes

Education/Experience at the Level 2: Positions requires a Bachelor' degree in a STEM field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience, typically with post-doctoral research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at the Level 3: Position requires a Master's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 6 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in one or more of the following areas is especially valuable:
• Database platforms such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Neo4j, or similar technologies
• Python data tools such as Pandas, NumPy, SQLAlchemy, PySpark, or related libraries
• Data modeling, schema design, indexing, performance tuning, and query optimization
• Cloud computing, distributed computing, or high-performance computing environments
• AI/ML data preparation, feature engineering, or model-ready dataset development
• Integration of engineering, scientific, manufacturing, test, or surveillance datasets
• Version control and collaborative development tools such as Git
• Visualization, dashboarding, or reporting platforms
• Education or training in computer science, software engineering, data science, information technology, computer engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing, database systems, or a related technical field
• Oracle Certified Professional
• Microsoft Certified - Azure Database Administrator Associate
• Active Q clearance, or the ability to obtain an active Q clearance

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants:

• For full consideration, applicants must submit a resume and comprehensive cover letter addressing each key requirement of this position.
• Candidates with relevant experience from industry, national laboratories, academia, government, or other technical organizations are welcome.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

• Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [email protected] or call (505)-664-6947.