Post Bachelors RA - Marine Technology Electrical Engineer

The Coastal Sciences Division, headquartered at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Sequim Marine Research Operations on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula, is the Department of Energy's only marine research laboratory. This unique facility and the capabilities of its researchers deliver science and technology that is critical to the nation's energy, environmental and security future. 
Building upon a history of research related to marine and coastal resources, environmental chemistry, water resources modeling, ecotoxicology and biotechnology—and more recently, national and homeland security—the MSL is emerging as a leader in these three areas: 

• Enabling sustainable development of ocean energy  
• Understanding and mitigating long-term impacts of human activities, including climate change, on marine resources  
• Protecting coastal environments from security threats 

Coastal Sciences Division includes technical experts in carbon/nutrient dynamics and processes at the terrestrial/aquatic interface, research on algal productivity for use in biochemical and biofuels, targeted element extraction from marine waters, and sequestering carbon, quantifying and improving environmental performance of renewable ocean energy systems through environmental monitoring and technology development, technologies and research focused on maritime decarbonization strategies, coastal ecosystem functions and restoration ecology, ultra trace analytical chemistry, marine hydrodynamic modelling, and extreme events research. 

The Coastal Sciences Division at PNNL is seeking electrical engineer to join a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists that develop and test various marine technologies. Projects include integrating commercially available sensors and in-house developed sensors for monitoring the environment, guiding autonomous vehicles, and marine energy applications. Hands-on engineering will be a large part of this role. As a Research Associate, the candidate will be working with a mentor and peers with electrical engineering expertise. This position is located at PNNL’s Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sequim, Washington. This is the DOE’s only coastal research location. The candidate can expect to: 

• Perform common and novel electrical wiring and soldering tasks as directed by project principal investigators or task leads. 
• Translate design requirements from a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers into engineering specifications. 
• Support engineering development and testing of electromechanical systems including those designed for deployment in a dynamic marine environment. 
• Contribute to design documentation and scientific reporting on testing and results. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have received a Bachelor’s degree within the past 24 months or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with electronics testing and diagnostics
• Experience working in an ocean engineering context or general marine environment
• Technical writing experience
• Experience with wiring harnesses and soldering of components of integrated circuits
• Ability to read schematics and wiring diagrams
• Electrical and mechanical CAD software experience
• Software programming and data analysis experience in python, C, C , Matlab or equivalent
• Embedded firmware development experience
• Experience with 3D printing and rapid prototyping

Not Applicable.

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP)

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, 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.

Our 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 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.

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. 

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.

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)risk determination to maintain employment.  Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.  

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.

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.

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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.

Salary : $27 - $35