Applied Data Scientist

Shift5; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Equity in a startup

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Health Savings Account

Uncapped paid time off

Flexible work & remote policy

Tax-deferred public transit benefits

Job summary

Shift5, located in Arlington, Virginia, is looking for an Applied Data Scientist to join our Data Science team. In this role, you will define and engage in data science projects, enhancing our product suite with your analyses.

The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background, excellent communication skills, and a keen understanding of customer needs. A Master's or Doctorate in Data Science is preferred, along with experience in defense or cybersecurity.

Qualifications

• Proficient in generic analytics coding languages, including Python and SQL.
• Experience with time-series data and strong data analysis skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical details to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead data science projects from problem definition to deliverables.
• Collaborate with teams to translate analyses into customer value.
• Perform complex statistical analyses to leverage operational data.

Skills

Fluency in Python

SQL

R

Matlab

Data needs analysis

Strong communication skills

Education

Master's or Doctorate in Data Science

Job description

About Shift5

Shift5 is building the data platform for onboard operational technology (OT). We deliver cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance capabilities that enable defense and commercial fleets to operate with greater readiness, resilience, and mission assurance.

Shift5 is seeking an Applied Data Scientist to join our growing Data Science team. In this role, your primary responsibility will be to collaborate with customers and internal stakeholders to discover critical insights, deconstruct complex business problems into testable hypotheses, and build end-to-end data science solutions that scale back into Shift5’s core product line.

What You’ll Do

• End-to-End Project Scoping: Take ownership of data science projects from initial problem definition and hypothesis building to final, actionable deliverable.
• Product Generalization: Take one-off customer insights and solutions and build them back into the broader, deployable suite of Shift5 core products.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with embedded analysts, deployment strategists, and forward-deployed engineers to translate complex analyses into immediate customer value.
• Advanced Data Analysis: Perform complex statistical analyses to push the envelope, interpret trends, and break new ground in leveraging operational data for diagnosis and prediction.
• System Optimization: Work closely with programmers, engineers, and leadership to identify process improvements, propose system modifications, and devise long-term data strategies.

What Success Looks Like

• You are proactive at identifying critical open questions and customer needs - often far ahead of the customer’s own articulation of them.
• You maintain a "no task too small" mindset, successfully managing multiple engagements simultaneously while staying focused on scalable solutions.
• You efficiently break down unstructured, highly ambiguous problems into smaller, manageable parts and execute them independently.

What We’re Looking For

• Technical Skills: Fluency in a generic analytics coding language (Python, SQL, R, or Matlab) and strong data needs analysis skills (identifying data and technical tests required to validate hypotheses).
• Communication & Mindset: Excellent communication skills with a track record of translating highly technical information for non-technical audiences. A humble, receptive attitude toward feedback.
• Logistics: Ability and willingness to travel up to 40% of the time (US only).
• Preferred Experience: Experience with time-series data, and a background/education blend (ideally a Master's or Doctorate program) in Data Science. Industry experience in defense, aerospace, or cybersecurity is a major plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $120,000 - $170,000
• Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
• Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
• Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Uncapped paid time off policy
• Flexible work & remote work policy
• Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)

We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that embraces the diversity of our people and represents the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives and ways of solving problems. We strive to attract and retain talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Shift5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, age, marital status, ancestry, projected veteran status, or any other protected group or class.