PNNL

Steven Eklund is a program manager and capability lead at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) with more than 16 years of experience innovating in workforce development, artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and quality assurance. His work bridges cutting-edge technologies, including AI, Internet of Things (IoT), deep learning, and reality capture, with strategic solutions that improve research outcomes, operational excellence, and safety across Department of Energy (DOE) programs and priorities.

He expanded his expertise in 2025 to leadership roles within PNNL’s Environmental Management research programs. As deputy project manager for the Deep Vadose Zone Project, Eklund drives environmental compliance and risk-based evaluations that improve operational efficiency and safety monitoring for critical DOE cleanup sites. He also oversees the recalibration of deep learning models, enabling rapid AI deployment and cost-effective scaling across multiple DOE research and operational sites. In his role as the reality capture capability lead, he integrates Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), photogrammetry and IoT sensors to create high-fidelity 3D facility models. These digital twins optimize infrastructure planning, enhance safety analysis, and advance DOE’s resilience and security objectives.

Eklund also spearheads automation efforts as part of the Research Computing Division, reducing administrative overhead by up to 75 percent to enable operational teams to focus on research priorities. His AI-powered tools streamline reporting, compliance, and management workflows, improving efficiency across DOE programs.

Eklund’s expertise in talent and workforce development complements his technological leadership. As leader of PNNL’s Talent Pipeline program within the Computing and Information Technology Directorate, he has developed recruitment and mentorship frameworks with an approximate 20 percent conversion rate to full-time hires, ensuring sustainable talent growth aligned with DOE’s mission to develop the next generation of scientific leaders.

Previously at PNNL, Eklund managed the Laboratory-wide software quality program, introducing performance dashboards to drive executive decision-making. Outside PNNL, his prior roles include overseeing reality capture programs at Washington River Protection Solutions, achieving $5 million in annual savings and managing quality initiatives at AECOM’s Waste Treatment Plant. As vice president of business operations at NOW Business Intelligence, he scaled revenues while driving strategic growth.

Eklund began his career at PNNL 2009, co-founding the SharePoint Capability group to enhance software quality practices across the Laboratory.

• Environmental compliance and regulatory integration
• National security compliance
• Infrastructure optimization through reality capture technologies (LiDAR, photogrammetry, IoT)
• AI and automation for operational efficiency
• Scalable AI deployment
• Workforce development and talent strategy
• Software and quality assurance
• Risk-based process evaluation and program management
• Agile process optimization
• Strategic stakeholder engagement and leadership

MS in information systems management and enterprise systems, Walden University
BS in information systems and business administration, Walden University

• ISTQB Certified Tester
• NQA-1 Lead Auditor
• Human Performance Improvement Trainer