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Phd Software Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

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Senior Software Engineer

Nashville, TN

$118K - $156K/yr

Comscore, Total Visits, March 2025) Day to Day As a Software Engineer III on the AI Gateway ... a PhD without experience * Experience building or operating large-scale distributed systems ...

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Phd Software Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$57.6K

$133.9K

$186.5K

How much do phd software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for phd software engineer in Tennessee is $133,895.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,900.00 and $157,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a PhD Software Engineer?

A PhD Software Engineer is a professional who has completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree specializing in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, and works in designing, developing, and optimizing software systems. They often engage in advanced research, develop innovative algorithms, and solve complex technical problems. Their expertise is typically utilized in roles that require deep technical knowledge, research skills, and the ability to push the boundaries of current technology. PhD Software Engineers are commonly found in academia, research institutions, and leading technology companies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD Software Engineer, and why are they important?

A PhD Software Engineer requires advanced programming expertise, strong analytical and research skills, and typically a doctorate in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with specialized programming languages, version control systems like Git, and experience with research-oriented software tools are common technical requirements. Exceptional problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help bridge the gap between research and practical application. These abilities are crucial for driving innovation, translating complex theories into scalable solutions, and contributing to cutting-edge technology projects.

How does having a PhD impact the daily responsibilities and project involvement of a Software Engineer?

As a PhD Software Engineer, you are often entrusted with tackling complex problems and leading research-driven projects that require advanced analytical and technical skills. Your daily work may involve designing novel algorithms, conducting experiments, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams such as data scientists and product managers. Additionally, you might mentor junior engineers and help shape the technical direction of your team. This role leverages your research background to bridge the gap between academic innovation and practical software solutions.
What are popular job titles related to Phd Software Engineer jobs in Tennessee? For Phd Software Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Phd Software Engineer jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Phd Software Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Phd Software Engineer jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Phd Software Engineer job openings:
Phd Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Phd Software Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,895 per year, or $64.4 per hour.
Senior Research Software Engineer

Senior Research Software Engineer

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

$106K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 103 rated laboratories

Job description

Job Summary:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Senior Research Software Engineer to join the Incident Modeling and Computational Sciences Group. The role involves serving as a technical leader responsible for AI and data infrastructure development, mentoring junior staff, and collaborating with diverse teams to enhance AI capabilities.
Responsibilities:
• Serve as a senior technical leader responsible for the architecture, development, and sustained operation of enterprise AI and data infrastructure.
• Drive technical decisions, mentor junior staff, and partner with multidisciplinary teams of scientists, data engineers, and system administrators to deliver reliable, secure, and high-performance AI services to ORNL researchers.
Qualifications:
Required:
• A PhD in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field and a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, or an MS in these areas with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing, deploying, and operating complex software systems or AI/ML infrastructure in a research, national security, or comparable production environment.
• Experience leading or making significant technical contributions to multi-component software projects, including ownership of architecture decisions and delivery of results to stakeholders.
• Experience deploying and managing containerized applications using Docker and Docker Compose or equivalent technologies in multi-service environments.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Python and at least one additional language (e.g., JavaScript, Bash, C++).
• Experience with Linux shell scripting and working in HPC or GPU cluster environments.
• Experience presenting technical work to diverse audiences, including both technical peers and non-specialist stakeholders.
Preferred:
• Deep expertise deploying and operating LLM inference infrastructure, including serving frameworks such as vLLM, Ollama, or comparable tools, and model routing or proxy solutions such as LiteLLM.
• Experience architecting or administering vector database and RAG pipelines (e.g., Milvus, ChromaDB, or similar) at scale.
• Expertise in reverse proxy and web infrastructure, including Nginx configuration, TLS/mTLS certificate management, WebSocket proxying, and authentication subrequest patterns.
• Experience designing and operating observability stacks using OpenTelemetry, Prometheus, Grafana, Loki, Tempo, or equivalent tooling.
• Experience maintaining security-sensitive forks of open-source projects, including upstream merge management, CVE triage, patch backporting, and coordinated disclosure workflows.
• Familiarity with JavaScript or TypeScript and component-based frontend frameworks such as Svelte or React.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring junior engineers or leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience contributing to research proposals, white papers, or program development activities with federal sponsors or comparable R&D organizations.
• Experience working with DOE National Laboratories or other federal research institutions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing needs.
Company:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory holds a range of R&D assignments, from fundamental nuclear physics to applied R&D on advanced energy systems. Founded in 1943, the company is headquartered in Oak Ridge, USA, with a team of 5001-10000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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