Applications Developer Jobs in California

INTRODUCTION

The Scientific Data Management and Usable Data Systems group in Berkeley Lab’s Scientific Data Division has an opening for a Full-Stack Scientific Application Developer to support research and development projects across the DOE Office of Science community.

In this role, you will build exciting user-facing scientific applications, back-end services, workflows, and data tools that help researchers manage, analyze, and use a wide array of scientific data. You will collaborate with teams of scientists, software engineers, UX practitioners, and other cross-functional stakeholders to develop reliable, maintainable solutions that support scientific discovery.

Responsibilities, at Level 2:

• Develop software tools and workflows using modern algorithms, best practices, and software engineering principles.

• Design and implement user-friendly scientific interfaces using maintainable frameworks informed by UX research and design outputs.

• Leverage AI/ML tools to enhance both development processes and scientific applications.

• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, user experience practitioners, and cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions.

• Create tests, documentation, and deployment processes; optimize, debug, and maintain production software.

• Use modern development, DevOps, release management, and collaboration tools and practices.

• Analyze and solve complex technical problems, exercising sound judgment in selecting appropriate methods and solutions.

• Engage with internal and external experts to share knowledge and advance project goals.

In addition to the above, Level 3 responsibilities include:

• Lead software teams in defining requirements, features, and development processes.

• Architect and implement scalable, cross-project software solutions that improve usability, data integrity, and access.

• Drive the design and development of major software systems, setting technical direction and promoting best practices.

• Evaluate and integrate emerging AI/ML and agentic computing technologies to address advanced scientific challenges.

• Champion software engineering standards for testing, documentation, deployment, and operations.

• Mentor developers and build strategic collaborations with internal, external, and scientific computing communities.

• Communicate technical work and project outcomes to diverse audiences within and beyond the organization.

Required Qualifications, at level 2:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Familiarity with command-line and system administration tools in UNIX-based operating systems like Linux or MacOS.

• Proficiency in Python and Typescript/Javascript.

• Proficiency in one or more additional domain specific programming languages such as C/C++, Java, MATLAB, R, bash, etc.

• Experience developing full-stack software solutions, including front-end interfaces and back-end services, using modern frameworks and development tools.

• Experience using Git-based workflows, CI/CD pipelines, containers, and deployment practices to build, test, and maintain software applications.

• Familiarity with AI tools and frameworks, including tools for workflow automation or agentic workflows, to support software development, documentation, testing, and deployment.

• Experience collaborating with UX researchers, designers, engineers, or other cross-functional partners to develop user-informed software solutions.

• Experience working directly with non-software subject matter experts to understand user needs, gather requirements, or translate domain needs into software solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to write clear technical documentation, such as developer guides, user documentation, API documentation, or workflow instructions for technical and scientific users.

• Excellent English written and oral communication.

• Strong interpersonal skills for working in a diverse team environment.

Desired Qualifications, at level 2:

• Familiarity with command-line and system administration tools Windows environments.

• Domain expertise in chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, or a related field.

• Deep understanding of the software development lifecycle.

• Experience leading UI development as part of a UX-informed software development lifecycle.

• Experience developing, testing, and deploying front-end UI frameworks such as ReactJS.

• Understanding of HPC and large-scale systems.

• Familiarity with orchestration platforms (Kubernetes), OS systems and tools, parallel programming, databases, data management, resource management.

In addition to the above, Level 3 requires:

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of related experience; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Demonstrated experience leading software development efforts across the full lifecycle, including requirements gathering, technical design, implementation, testing, release, and production deployment.

• Demonstrated expertise designing and developing full-stack applications, including front-end interfaces, back-end services, APIs, and integrations using modern software frameworks and tools.

• Experience and expertise with modern data storage and data management approaches.

• Experience designing, implementing, or maintaining modern data storage and data management solutions, such as relational or non-relational databases, data models, metadata systems, data catalogs or lakehouses, APIs, or data access workflows.

• Experience and expertise with multiple AI tools and frameworks, including those for agentic workflows, to develop, document, test, and deploy software.

• Experience mentoring developers and coordinating technical work across projects, including working with cross-functional partners such as scientists, UX practitioners, software engineers, data professionals, and project stakeholders to align requirements, priorities, standards, and delivery plans.

• Strong ability to communicate technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences, advise stakeholders on complex technical issues, influence decisions, and help drive successful delivery of project or team objectives.

Desired Qualifications, at Level 3:

• Experience with software project management.

• Experience leading cross-functional teams.

• Experience with system administration.

• Deep expertise with front-end UI frameworks and UI development and deployment best practices with strong ability to communicate pros and cons of different solutions depending on project requirements.

• Significant experience managing production deployment of front-end and back-end applications using modern production practices.

• Experience identifying and securing new collaborative opportunities and resources in a cross-functional environment.

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by July 7, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

• Appointment type: This is a full-time, 1 year, term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.

• Salary range:

• Level 2: The expected salary for this position is $131,760 - $161,064, which fits into the full salary of $117,132 - $197,676 depending upon the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.

• Level 3: The expected salary for this position is $156,864 - $191,724, which fits into the full salary of $139,440 - $235,308 depending upon the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.

• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

• Work modality: Work may be performed on-site, hybrid, full-time telework. The primary location for this role is Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Work must be performed within the United States.

• Multi-level Posting: This position will be hired at a level commensurate with the business needs and the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.