Intelligent Automation & Agentic AI Developer

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities: (Knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for this position.

• Design and build multi-step agentic workflows that combine LLMs, tool use, retrieval, and RPA bots to automate complex business and analytical processes.

• Develop, deploy, and maintain RPA solutions using Power Automate, including its AI-native extensions (Copilot Studio, AI Builder).

• Build and maintain Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines that integrate INL enterprise data sources with vector stores and embedding models.

• Consuming Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers to connect AI agents with internal systems and data in a secure, reusable way.

• Build front-end interfaces (chat UIs, admin dashboards, human-in-the-loop review tools) for agentic solutions using React.

• Apply prompt engineering, guardrails, and human-in-the-loop patterns to mitigate prompt injection, hallucination, data leakage, and other AI-specific risks.

• Deploy and monitor automation components including bots, agents, MCP servers, code repositories, CI/CD pipelines, and supporting scripts.

• Review source code, technical documentation, user reports, and other artifacts; participate in code reviews and contribute to libraries of reusable components.

• Support and troubleshoot existing RPA, agentic AI, and PowerApp solutions when issues arise.

• Contribute to project planning by helping estimate scope, cost, and schedule for assigned work.

• Partner with security, compliance, and data governance teams to ensure agentic and RPA solutions meet DOE and INL data handling, cybersecurity, and audit requirements.

• Remain current on agentic AI, RPA, and process automation technology and best practices.

• Ensure compliance with INL's safety, security, environmental, health, and quality assurance requirements.

Education, Credentials, and Work Experience: 

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field.

•  Level 3 - Bachelor’s and 5 years. Master’s and 2 years. PhD and 2 years.

• Level 4 - Bachelor’s and 9 years. Master’s and 6 years. PhD and 4 years.

• 1+ years building agentic AI solutions and integrating AI capabilities into automation workflows (professional or substantial project experience considered).

• Proficiency in Python for building agentic applications, including experience with common libraries used in the AI/ML ecosystem.

• Proficiency in React (including modern patterns such as hooks and functional components) for building front-end interfaces that support agentic and automation solutions.

• Familiarity with TypeScript, modern build tooling (Vite, Next.js), and component libraries (shadcn/ui, Material UI, or similar).

• Experience building with LLM APIs (Anthropic Claude, OpenAI/Azure OpenAI, Amazon Bedrock, or equivalent) and unified LLM gateways such as LiteLLM, including function/tool calling and structured outputs.

• Experience implementing RAG solutions with a vector database such as Pinecone, Weaviate, Qdrant, Chroma, pgvector, or Azure AI Search.

• Working knowledge of REST APIs, OAuth 2.0, Git, and CI/CD workflows.

• Containerization experience (Docker) and basic Kubernetes literacy.

• Experience working with non-technical partners and translating business needs into technical solutions.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "L" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of RPA development experience with Power Automate, Blue Prism, or Automation Anywhere.

• Familiarity with Model Context Protocol (MCP) for connecting agents to tools and data sources.

• Hands-on experience with at least one agentic framework such as LangGraph, LangChain, Microsoft Semantic Kernel, AutoGen, or CrewAI.

• Experience deploying local or self-hosted models (Ollama, vLLM, llama.cpp) for environments with data residency, air-gap, or classification requirements.

• Experience with prompt engineering patterns (ReAct, chain-of-thought, few-shot, self-consistency) and lightweight fine-tuning approaches (LoRA/PEFT).

• Familiarity with event-driven architectures and message queues (Azure Service Bus, Kafka, or similar).

• Experience with multi-agent orchestration patterns and advanced retrieval approaches such as GraphRAG or hybrid search with re-ranking.

• Prior experience in a regulated, high-security, or national laboratory environment.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee may be required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to handle materials, manipulate tools, keyboard, and type, reach with hands and arms, and operate job-related equipment. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our REC facility with every other Friday off. 

• The pay range for this position is: Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288) / Level 4 ($114,360 - $234,336). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

Working Conditions:

The work environment is an office environment. The noise level is generally low; however, may be exposed to loud noises on occasion.  Position requires working more than 8 hours/day and working alone. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Security and Privacy Language:
This position includes information security and privacy responsibilities as defined by NIST SP 800 53, OMB Circular A 130, and DOE Order 206.1A. Position must complete initial and annual role-specific training as required. The incumbent must sign and comply with all required access agreements prior to being granted access to organizational systems or data. Comply with all applicable information security and privacy policies and procedures by following established protocols, with an understanding that non-compliance may result in sanctions.

Level Definers

EX3 – Career:

• Knowledge: Complete understanding and wide application of principles, theories, and concepts in field of specialization. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways. This level is fully qualified, career oriented.
• Problem Solving: Works on problems of diverse scope. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Solutions are imaginative, thorough, practical, and consistent with organizational objectives.
• Discretion and Latitude: Works under only general direction. Normally receives little instruction day-to-day. Independently determines and develops approach to solutions. Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives.
• Impacts: Contributes to completion of specific programs and projects. Failure to obtain results or erroneous decisions or recommendations would typically result in program delays.
• Liaison: Frequent internal organizational customer contacts. May have some outside contact or represent organization in providing solutions to difficult issues associated with specific projects or work.
• Education/Experience:  Bachelor’s and 5 years. Master’s and 2 years. PhD and 2 years.

EX4 – Senior:

• Knowledge: Technical leader with a high degree of knowledge in the overall field and recognized expertise in specific areas. Has wide-ranging experience. Uses professional concepts and company objectives to solve complex issues in creative and effective ways. Interfaces with and mentor junior staff.
• Problem Solving: Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
• Discretion and Latitude: Work is performed without appreciable direction. Determines methods and procedures on new assignments and may coordinate activities of other personnel (Lead). Exercises considerable latitude in determining objectives of assignment.
• Impacts: Guides the successful completion of major programs and may function in a project leadership role. Erroneous decisions or recommendations would typically result in failure to achieve organizational objectives.
• Liaison: Represents organization as prime contact on projects or work. Interacts with senior internal personnel on significant matters often requiring coordination between organizations. Networks with key contacts outside own area or expertise.
• Education/Experience:  Bachelor’s and 9 years. Master’s and 6 years. PhD and 4 years.