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Research Software Engineer Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

ITR

Full Stack Developer

Knoxville, TN

Position Overview Seeking a versatile Full Stack Software Engineer to support multiple concurrent software projects within a Department of Energy (DOE) Research & Development environment. This role ...

Xcel Engineering

Full Stack Developer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

... Software Engineer to support multiple concurrent software projects within a Department of Energy (DOE) Research & Development environment. This role requires an on-site presence and close ...

Xcel Engineering

Full Stack Developer

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

... Software Engineer to support multiple concurrent software projects within a Department of Energy (DOE) Research & Development environment. This role requires an on-site presence and close ...

Cadre5

Full Stack AI Engineer

Knoxville, TN

ORNL is a premier research institution delivering breakthroughs in energy, national security, and ... Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field * 5+ years of ...

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All JobsResearch Software Engineer JobsResearch Software Engineer Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

Research Software Engineer information

See Oak Ridge, TN salary details

$96.7K

$178.7K

How much do research software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for research software engineer in Oak Ridge, TN is $173,961.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $177,900.00 and $177,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can I make 200k a year as a software engineer?

Research Software Engineers working in high-demand industries, such as tech or finance, can potentially earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, or advanced degrees. Salaries vary based on location, company size, and expertise, with senior roles and those involving machine learning, data science, or leadership often reaching or exceeding this level.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior research software engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in areas like machine learning or high-performance computing, and often advanced degrees can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation varies based on industry, location, and company size, with some roles in tech, finance, or biotech reaching this level through bonuses and stock options.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Research Software Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills (often in Python, C++, or Java), a solid understanding of algorithms, and an academic or industry background in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, cloud platforms, and experience using scientific computing libraries and frameworks are valuable, while a master's or Ph.D. can be advantageous for specialized roles. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaborative skills help in working closely with researchers and multidisciplinary teams. These capabilities are crucial for successfully translating complex research problems into robust, reproducible software solutions that advance scientific inquiry.

What does a research software engineer do?

A research software engineer develops, maintains, and optimizes software tools and systems to support scientific research. They often collaborate with researchers to implement algorithms, analyze data, and ensure software reliability, frequently using programming languages like Python, C++, or Java. Their work enables efficient data processing and reproducibility in research projects.

What are some typical daily responsibilities for a Research Software Engineer?

As a Research Software Engineer, your daily work often involves designing and implementing software to support cutting-edge research projects, collaborating with scientists to understand their computational needs, and ensuring code reliability and reproducibility. You may spend time optimizing algorithms, writing unit tests, documenting software, and participating in code reviews within a collaborative team environment. Additionally, you might help deploy research applications on high-performance or cloud computing platforms and contribute to research publications. Balancing independent programming tasks with ongoing communication is key to making meaningful contributions to both the research and software development processes.

What is a Research Software Engineer job?

A Research Software Engineer (RSE) combines expertise in software development and research to create, maintain, and optimize software used in scientific or academic projects. They work closely with researchers to develop efficient, reliable, and reproducible software solutions for data analysis, simulations, or machine learning. RSEs bridge the gap between research and software engineering, ensuring that computational tools meet the needs of scientific investigations. Their role may involve coding, performance optimization, software sustainability, and deploying applications on high-performance computing or cloud platforms.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior research software engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in machine learning or data science, and leadership roles can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or large tech companies. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, reflecting their advanced expertise and impact on projects.
What are popular job titles related to Research Software Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN? For Research Software Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Research Software Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN look for? The top searched job categories for Research Software Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN are:
Research Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Software Engineer job openings in Oak Ridge, TN as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $173,961 per year, or $83.6 per hour.

Full Stack Developer

ITR

Knoxville, TN

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Position Overview
Seeking a versatile Full Stack Software Engineer to support multiple concurrent software projects within a Department of Energy (DOE) Research & Development environment. This role requires an on-site presence and close collaboration with technical teams, stakeholders, and government clients. The ideal candidate is comfortable working across the entire development lifecycle from gathering client requirements and translating concepts into technical designs, through development, testing, deployment, and long-term support. Candidates must be adaptable, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a structured, security-focused environment.

This role is ideal for software developers who enjoy ownership of projects, thrive in structured technical environments, and are motivated by building meaningful software solutions from initial concept through final deployment.

Candidates must pass a drug/background screen and be able to obtain a federal security clearance.

Key Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with government clients and internal stakeholders to gather, analyze, and refine technical and functional requirements.
  • Design, architect, and develop full-stack applications from concept to completion.
  • Work on multiple simultaneous projects with varying timelines and technical scopes.
  • Develop scalable backend services and APIs.
  • Build responsive, user-friendly front-end interfaces aligned with UI/UX best practices.
  • Participate in code reviews, testing, debugging, and performance optimization.
  • Maintain documentation for system architecture, code, and processes.
  • Ensure compliance with security, privacy, and operational standards required in a federal R&D environment.
  • Provide ongoing maintenance, enhancements, and technical support for deployed applications.



Required Technical Skills
Programming Languages
  • JavaScript
  • TypeScript
  • Python
  • SQL
  • Backend Frameworks-Fast API
  • Frontend FrameworksVue.js 2 & Vue.js 3
  • State Management-Pinia
  • UI Libraries-Vuetify
  • Databases-PostgreSQL
  • Other Technologies-GraphQL

Nice to Have
  • Java development experience
  • Experience working in government, national laboratory, or regulated environments
  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
  • Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)Experience with automated testing frameworks


Qualifications
  • Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
  • 3+ years of professional full-stack development experience
  • Demonstrated experience delivering production-ready applications end-to-end.
  • Strong communication skills and ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain any required facility clearances or background checks.
  • Work Environment On-site presence is required due to the secure nature of the facility.
  • Collaborative, mission-driven R&D atmosphere.
  • Opportunity to contribute to projects with national-level impact and long-term technical value.