Digital Communication Systems Engineer

Overview Where do you see yourself in 5 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 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 leadership both the areas of Radio Frequency engineering and Machine Learning. We have a growing RF portfolio that spans RF fingerprinting, communications, and sensing applications. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in a large internal investment that would help set the direction for RF coupled to Machine Learning processes at PNNL for the foreseeable future. Further, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to be significantly involved in a large, externally funded project, which is poised to have a significant impact on the external sponsor set. Uses extensive experience in a field of specialty, possessing a comprehensive understanding of existing theories, principles, and concepts in those fields to provide solutions to unusually complex problems for which no precedents or past practices exist. Collaborates with lab and industry researchers in order to deliver innovative and creative solutions. Resolves problems that frequently require mastery of specialized techniques using high degrees of ingenuity and creativity. Demonstrates well-recognized national influence and skilled consensus building. Exerts positive influence across a broad spectrum of stakeholders and interest groups with internal and external organizations, the public, and the community. Is often sought out to work on key project teams and regularly collaborates and negotiates with senior national/international government officials as a PNNL and DOE representative. Makes recommendations that set precedent for future decisions and strongly influence national/international policies and decisions at highest levels. Responsibilities Researches, develops, designs, and tests electrical/electronic systems, components, equipment, and networks as well as their control and optimization theory and techniques. Adapts and applies control theory to design electrical/electronic systems with desired behaviors. Designs, develops, installs, and supervises all aspects of control systems and processes. Determines design approaches and parameters. Analyzes equipment to establish operating data, conducts experimental tests, and evaluates results. Selects components and equipment based on analysis of specifications and reliability. Researches, develops, and applies tools, simulations, and models of electric power systems and components addressing problems in planning, operations, economics, resilience, and optimization of system performance. Designs and develops new techniques and methodologies for control and integration of diverse energy resources and points of consumption. Develops and applies system architectures, models, and technologies for secure and reliable electric power systems and related technologies such as communications systems and grid cyber security. The successful candidate will be expected to assist the group leader and other senior staff in their efforts to provide both strategic and tactical leadership to the group; specifically to provide insight into sponsor spaces and to aid in the business development activities of the Advanced Engineered Systems group. They will assist in increasing both our programmatic footprint, and our mission impact. They will also be expected to provide leadership, internal and external in the domain of RF systems coupled to machine learning processes. Specifically, by driving research directions in a large internal investment initiative. The ideal candidate must possess the ability to describe technology benefits to both technical and non-technical sponsors as well as a successful history of managing projects and delivering results. Fielding solutions is import to us! They will be focused on strengthening the strategic position of the group through a focus on: Utilization of the research and development capabilities of the group Recruiting of candidates to augment group capabilities Building strong external partnerships Enthusiastic promotion of the group in sponsor spaces Leadership Responsibilities: Development of new business capture opportunities Sustainment of existing business capture opportunities Successful management of projects Strategic advice related to sponsor needs Strategic advice related to the group capability development Mentoring of junior staff PNNL is seeking an enthusiastic technical individual with knowledge of sponsor needs and a proven track record of solving those needs to help build our portfolio in the Radio Frequency (RF) space. The candidate will be responsible for providing substantial technical contributions in a complex, time-sensitive, and safety-conscious laboratory working environment. The position will include planning, executing, analyzing, and documenting engineering and research tasks with minimal supervision. The successful candidate should demonstrate an interest and aptitude for working effectively in dynamic, multi-discipline teams. Additional performance expectations including authoring and contributing to proposals, journal articles, technical reports, patent disclosures, and enhancement of external visibility of PNNL's research efforts. Contributes to the coordination of initiatives and/or projects of diverse scope Follows processes and operational policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions Acts as advisor to subordinate(s) to meet schedules and/or resolve technical problems Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: BS/BA and 9+ years of relevant work experience -OR- MS/MA and 7+ years of relevant work experience -OR- PhD with 5+ years of relevant experience Preferred Qualifications: Strong written and oral communication skills including the ability to author technical presentations and reports. Advance degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Physics, or the equivalent preferred. Established record or research in the RF space published in peer reviewed journal articles or presented at juried conferences Experienced with one or more federal sponsors a plus Currently holding a federal security 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. 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. Referral Eligible” 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 [email protected]. 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. Mandatory Requirements Battelle requires employees to have a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment, subject to accommodation. Applicants are required to disclose their vaccination status following a conditional offer of employment and must attest to being fully vaccinated with a Center for Disease Control (CDC)-approved COVID-19 vaccination or provide documentation of need for medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. 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