AI/ML Data Scientist

Central Strategies, LLC; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Strategies, LLC is seeking an AI/ML Data Scientist to support the U.S. Coast Guard. You will design, develop, deploy, and scale AI/ML solutions to improve mission effectiveness and operational efficiency, working with stakeholders across engineering, analytics, and leadership.

The role emphasizes MVP pilots, data-driven decision support, and enterprise-scale transition of successful solutions, with a hybrid work location in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, CS, Math, Statistics, AI, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in data science, AI, or advanced analytics.
• Experience deploying machine learning models to production.
• Proficiency with Python and SQL.
• Experience with ML frameworks: Scikit-Learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face, LangChain.
• Experience building data pipelines with Databricks, Spark, Hadoop, Kafka, Airflow, or AWS Glue.
• Experience with cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GovCloud).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DHS Public Trust.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy AI/ML solutions supporting Coast Guard missions and operations.
• Build predictive, prescriptive, classification, anomaly detection, NLP, and Generative AI solutions.
• Develop dashboards and analytics products to support enterprise transformation.
• Identify high-value automation opportunities and transition solutions to enterprise-scale capabilities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate use cases into AI/ML solutions.

Skills

Python

SQL

Analytics

AI/ML

Big data

Education

Bachelor's degree in Data Science / CS

Tools

Scikit-Learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Hugging Face

LangChain

Databricks

Apache Spark

Hadoop

Kafka

Airflow

AWS Glue

Job description

Central Strategies is seeking an AI/ML Data Scientist to support the U.S. Coast Guard. This position supports the Coast Guard’s Digital Transformation Strategy by developing, deploying, and scaling Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), advanced analytics, and data-driven automation solutions that improve mission effectiveness, operational efficiency, and enterprise decision-making.

The AI/ML Data Scientist will work closely with business process analysts, automation engineers, enterprise architects, data engineers, mission stakeholders, and program leadership to identify high-value automation opportunities, develop predictive and prescriptive analytics solutions, support minimum viable product (MVP) pilots, and transition successful solutions into enterprise-scale capabilities.

This role supports an enterprise automation program focused on accelerating innovation, workflow modernization, mission modeling, business process transformation, and data-driven decision support across the U.S. Coast Guard.

Work Location: Hybrid in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

KeyResponsibilities

AI/ML Solution Development

• Design, develop, test, and deploy AI/ML solutions supporting Coast Guard mission and business operations.
• Build predictive, prescriptive, classification, anomaly detection, natural language processing (NLP), and generative AI solutions.
• Develop machine learning models that improve operational decision-making, workforce productivity, and mission effectiveness.
• Support development of AI-enabled minimum viable products (MVPs) and automation pilots.

Data Science & Analytics

• Conduct exploratory data analysis, statistical modeling, and advanced analytics using structured and unstructured data.
• Identify trends, patterns, and operational insights to support Coast Guard leadership decisions.
• Develop dashboards, visualizations, performance metrics, and analytical products to support enterprise transformation initiatives.
• Establish repeatable analytics methodologies and data science best practices.
• Develop and optimize data pipelines supporting AI/ML initiatives.
• Assist with database design, ETL processes, data cleansing, transformation, and reporting activities.
• Design reusable and scalable data models and architectures.
• Diagnose data quality issues and recommend corrective actions.
• Support integration of data from multiple Coast Guard systems and repositories.

Automation & Digital Transformation

• Support automation opportunity assessments, feasibility analyses, and pilot evaluations.
• Collaborate with automation engineers to integrate AI/ML capabilities into workflow automation, RPA, ServiceNow, UiPath, Power Platform, Salesforce, and Appian solutions.
• Participate in business process reengineering efforts and identify opportunities to automate manual processes through AI and advanced analytics.

Mission Modeling & Decision Support

• Support mission modeling and simulation initiatives that evaluate mission execution, staffing models, operational impacts, and technology alternatives.
• Develop analytical models that assist with scenario planning, operational experimentation, and performance forecasting.
• Provide recommendations to leadership based on model outputs and analytical findings.
• Participate in Agile planning, backlog refinement, sprint reviews, demonstrations, and release activities.
• Collaborate with product owners, developers, business analysts, architects, and mission stakeholders to translate use cases into AI/ML solutions.
• Support technical demonstrations, pilot evaluations, and user feedback sessions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or advanced analytics.
• Experience developing and deploying machine learning models in production environments.
• Strong proficiency with:
• Python
• SQL
• Machine Learning frameworks (Scikit-Learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face, LangChain)
• Experience performing:
• Predictive analytics
• Statistical analysis
• Model evaluation and validation
• Experience working with large datasets and complex data environments.
• Experience developing Generative AI and Large Language Model (LLM) solutions.
• Experience with Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture.
• Hands-on experience using Databricks to develop data pipelines, perform advanced analytics, and support AI/ML solutions; experience with Apache Spark, Hadoop, Kafka, Airflow, or AWS Glue is also valued.
• Experience with cloud environments including AWS, Azure, or GovCloud.
• Experience integrating AI/ML capabilities into:
• UiPath
• ServiceNow
• Power Platform
• Appian
• Strong communication skills with experience briefing technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DHS Public Trust.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting DHS, USCG, DoD, or other Federal agencies.

Desired Certifications

• AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer
• Databricks Certified Data Analyst Associate or higher is a plus.