Python Ai Developer Jobs in Stockton, CA (NOW HIRING)

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. 

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We are seeking an AI/ML Postdoctoral Researcher within our Laser Science and Systems Engineering (LSSE) Program to research cutting-edge machine learning applications for laser performance optimization and modeling on the National Ignition Facility (NIF). NIF is the world's most energetic laser and home to the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022, a historic moment in science that opened new physics regimes and set the stage for new fusion energy possibilities.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a researcher at the intersection of Physics and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) to make immediate, high-impact contributions to NIF operations and projects. You will identify, develop, and deploy AI/ML solutions across a broad spectrum of high-impact applications related to NIF laser performance and modeling. You will work in close collaboration with the Beam Line Integrated Performance (BLIP) team, the LPOM (Laser Performance Operations Model) team, and NIF laser operations teams to ensure innovations translate directly into operational improvements.

This position is in the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) Principal Associate Directorate (PAD).

In this role, you will

• Conduct research and development of an inverse pulse solve machine learning system by training, testing, optimizing and deploying ML models (neural networks, gradient boosted trees, ensemble methods) using thousands of historical NIF laser setup calculations.
• Identify and pursue high-impact AI/ML opportunities across the laser program, including laser performance prediction, optimization and anomaly detection, ML-enhanced diagnostic data analysis and trending, and physics-informed neural networks for laser physics modeling.
• Solve abstract and complex problems, using in-depth analysis, and drawing from advanced level technical knowledge, best practices, and both routine and innovative techniques and approaches.
• Collaborate extensively with BLIP, LPOM and NIF laser operations team members to understand operational requirements for ML system development/deployment, validate ML predictions against physics models and experimental results, and integrate ML tools into existing workflows.
• Support and educate team members in the application of scientific AI/ML techniques within a collaborative and dynamic team environment.
• Organize, analyze, and present results through peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals, presentations at machine learning and laser physics conferences, internal technical reports and documentation, and regular briefings to stakeholders and NIF leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• PhD in Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or related technical field or discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in machine learning and data science with experience or coursework in deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow), machine learning methods, model uncertainty quantification (e.g. Bayesian methods), and/or training large-scale models on scientific datasets.
• Proficiency in scientific computing with Python including ML libraries (scikit-learn, XGBoost), numerical computing (NumPy, SciPy, pandas), data visualization (matplotlib, holoviews, plotly), and high-performance computing and parallel processing.
• Experience directing, leading, developing, and executing independent research projects, including publication of peer-reviewed literature.
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment and present technical information to various audiences.

Qualifications We Desire

• Solid foundation in physics, with experience or coursework in laser physics, short-pulse and high peak power laser systems, nonlinear optics, frequency conversion, laser-matter interaction, optical propagation, beam physics, wave optics, solid state laser architectures or amplifier physics.

Pay Range

$123,048 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

None required.  However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process.  This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.  

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 3112, generally prohibits citizens of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea without dual US citizenship or legal permanent residence from accessing specific non-public areas of national security or nuclear weapons facilities.  The restrictions of NDAA Section 3112 apply to this position.  To be qualified for this position, Candidates must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under "Find Your Job" of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.