Computer Scientist (Scientist 1/2)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 96,600 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Parental leave

401(k) with match

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules

Relocation package

Onsite gym

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Database Engineer/Computer Scientist at Scientist 1 or 2 level to modernize data infrastructure and enable AI-enabled analytics for mission-driven work. The role focuses on building scalable data architectures and supporting predictive surveillance and system health monitoring.

Ideal candidates will design robust data systems, ingest and structure large datasets, and collaborate with engineers and scientists to deliver actionable insights and scalable

Qualifications

• Data systems design with relational and/or non-relational databases.
• Proficiency with SQL and Python; automated data pipelines and ETL/ELT.
• Familiarity with AI/ML workflows and predictive analytics.
• Experience with large, complex engineering, surveillance, or system health data.
• Strong analytical and cross-disciplinary communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain database systems for engineering and surveillance data.
• Build and optimize data pipelines to ingest, clean, structure, and integrate datasets.
• Prepare data for AI/ML and analytics applications for modeling and reporting.
• Develop efficient storage, retrieval, and query solutions for technical datasets.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists to deliver integrated data solutions.
• Develop tools/workflows to correlate data across components and assets.
• Maintain data integrity, security, and long-term accessibility.
• Support visualization, reporting, and analytical insights.

Skills

Data systems design

Programming & data pipelines

AI/ML analytics enablement

Large-scale data integration

Collaboration & communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Bachelor's degree in a STEM field with 4+ years experience

Tools

PostgreSQL

MySQL

MongoDB

Neo4j

SQLAlchemy

PySpark

Pandas

NumPy

Git

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

This position will be filled at either the Scientist 1 or 2 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 1 $96,600- $158,000

Scientist 2 $106,400- $176,000

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

• Support the design, development, and maintenance of database systems for engineering and surveillance data
• Develop, maintain, or improve data pipelines to ingest, clean, structure, validate, and integrate datasets from multiple sources
• Support AI/ML and advanced analytics applications by preparing, organizing, and improving datasets for predictive modeling, reporting, or analysis
• Assist with implementing efficient data storage, retrieval, and query solutions for technical datasets
• Collaborate with engineers, analysts, and scientists to develop integrated data solutions supporting predictive surveillance and system health monitoring
• Develop or maintain tools and workflows to correlate data across components, assemblies, and assets
• Support data integrity, security, accessibility, and long-term maintainability of database systems
• Support visualization, reporting, and analytical tools that enable 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 2:

• 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 1:

Position requires a Bachelor's d degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

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.

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.

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

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 [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.