Sensing System Development Engineer [Mechanical Engineer 2] - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

**Overview** PNNL's Earth System Science Division enables energy independence and national security through leadership in earth systems science, engineering, and decision analytics. Our work focuses on solving complex problems in the dynamic Earth system. Our interdisciplinary scientists steward a breadth of efforts that encompass research on plants to groundwater science and coastal zones, to storm prediction. Our research focuses on understanding and mitigating operational risks at the interface of human and natural environments. This includes predicting the impacts of natural hazards and extreme climate events on Earth and human systems, along with the impacts of wildfire, flooding, sea level rise and storm surges. We focus on understanding and mitigating environmental contamination and increasing the resiliency, security and sustainability of water resources. We provide geointelligence through advanced sensing and data analytics to forecast complex system behaviors and operational performance to understand human-natural systems. This includes informed decision making and enhanced community resilience, advanced monitoring, and remote sensing of environmental systems for energy and national security. It also includes developing energy systems, including geothermal energy, sustainable oil and gas production, storage and utilization, along with carbon sequestration. Driven by a "science-to-solutions" philosophy, we provide scientific leadership and technology to enhance national security, mitigate natural hazards and optimize disaster response. In the critical areas of energy, environment, intelligence, and defense, we deliver insights and decision support through the development of tools and solutions. **Responsibilities** Designs, analyzes, manufactures, and maintains mechanical systems. Designs, produces, and operates machinery. Applies principles of engineering, physics, and materials science as well as an understanding of core areas including mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis, and electricity along with tools like computer-aided design and product lifecycle management to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment, and machinery; heating and cooling systems; transport systems; aircraft; watercraft; robotics; medical devices; weapons; and others. Researches, plans, designs, and develops mechanical products and systems such as instruments, controls, robots, engines, machines, and mechanical, thermal hydraulic, or heat transfer systems for production, transmission, measurement, and use of energy. Designs, develops, and implements numerical methods for Computational Fluid Dynamics or Structural Mechanics analyses using advanced programming techniques. Conducts research and evaluation of technologies and methods for efficient operation and control of energy, water, and other resource use in buildings and connected systems. Develops, analyzes, and tests technologies, facilitating their adoption and integration in commercial and residential buildings. Conducts state-of-art whole building energy simulation modeling at a large scale to address building type and climate zone variation across the country. Conducts engineering and economic analysis to advance building energy codes and appliance standards. Develops and applies building performance evaluation methods and field studies to identify building envelope, systems, and operational efficiency measures. Develops and applies meter and building automation system data measurement and monitoring methods to understand and optimize building performance. Optimizes the performance of building control systems with architectures systems integration and algorithms for maintaining the specific process within a desired range. Evaluates the impact of statutory and regulatory requirements on buildings and energy-using equipment. The Sensing, Measurement & Forecasting team within the Earth System Predictability & Resiliency Group of ESSD is seeking candidates to lead key tasks and support interdisciplinary projects including: 1. Developing advanced sensing systems for earth system science and renewable energy. These next-generation sensors are not only fast, accurate, and versatile in terms of system performance but also lightweight, small, and soft. They can also be adapted for challenging environments such as deep subsurface and the Arctic environments. 2. Studying the environmental impact of conventional hydropower and marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems by detecting and tracking fish or other animals in the river or ocean using underwater acoustic telemetry; 3. Studying and mitigating the environmental impact of wind energy by detecting and tracking bats and birds using radio telemetry; 4. Developing advanced energy-harvesting systems for small sensors/transmitters as well as remote sensing platforms. The primary scope of this position includes advanced sensor design and testing, digital signal acquisition in laboratory settings, data processing and analysis, generation of intellectual properties, and writing of high-impact papers. **Qualifications** Minimum Qualifications: + BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR- + MS/MA -OR- + PhD Preferred Qualifications: + Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) from an accredited college or university. + Minimum overall GPA of 3.5. + The candidate must be able to work well independently and in a multi-disciplinary team setting. The candidate must exhibit a strong work ethic, be self-motivated, and place a high value on data quality and accuracy. + The preferred candidate will have demonstrated one or more of the following: + Hands-on experience with sensor design such as bio-sensors or chemical sensors. In particular, demonstrated experience in developing and testing Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensors for gas detection is highly desired. + Proficient with SOLIDWORKS, COMSOL, ABAQUS, PYTHON, MATLAB, AUTOCAD and Experience on designing ocean thermal gradient system. + Familiar with energy conversion systems, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics + Experience on designing ocean thermal gradient system. + Experience with programming microcontrollers using microcontroller manufacturers' dedicated development environments. + Experience using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and other general electrical test equipment. **Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment** Must be comfortable working on a research vessel. **Additional Information** Not Applicable. **Testing Designated Position** Not a Testing Designated Position. **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, 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, 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 $85,700.00/Yr. **Maximum Salary** USD $125,900.00/Yr.