Data Scientist

Leidos LLC; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Data Scientist to support a program that processes large forensic images, extracts metadata, and presents insights for analysts. You will work with a Systems Engineer in a fast-paced, agile environment to build a cloud-based system replacing a legacy solution.

The role requires deep experience with Python, PySpark, AWS, and data analytics, plus strong Elasticsearch and Spark skills. Expect collaboration with stakeholders and an emphasis on security and scalable data pipelines.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with poly clearance.
• Masters with 15+ years experience or Doctorate with 13+ years, or Bachelors with 18+ years experience.
• Experience with AWS cloud environment and security requirements.
• Experience building testing environments and debugging.
• Experience programming in Python, PowerShell, and Java 8+.
• Experience using PySpark to process large datasets.
• Experience using Jira and GitHub for version control and task tracking.
• Experience with SQL, MySQL or SQL Server, and ElasticSearch.
• Experience with Apache Spark, Spark clusters, and Databricks platform.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and operate data management systems in a cloud-native environment.
• Develop a modern cloud-based system to replace legacy tooling for enterprise search, digital forensics, and data analytics.
• Collaborate in an Agile Scrum setting with biweekly sprints to deliver features.
• Ensure data throughput, query performance, and security scans across applications.

Skills

Python

AWS

Spark

SQL

ElasticSearch

Databricks

ML models

Linux/Bash

Jira/GitHub

Education

Masters degree

PhD

Bachelors degree

Tools

Jenkins

MySQL

SQL Server

ElasticSearch

Apache Spark

Databricks API/CLI

AWS CloudFormation

Python/PySpark

Job description

Leidos is seeking a Data Scientist to support the customer in their program that automates processing of large forensic images, extract and enrich metadata, and display resulting information in meaningful ways for analysts to conduct their assessments. This candidate will be working with a Systems Engineer to complete this work.

Primary Responsibilities: This team provides technical solutions and capabilities that enable a cadre of analysts to make critical assessments, including a platform to conduct enterprise search, digital forensics, and data analytics. This Data Scientist will be building a modern cloud-based system to replace a legacy standalone system and requires an infrastructure team that can work in a quick-paced, dynamic, agile software development environment.

You will adhere to an Agile Scrum development methodology best practices and has 2 week sprint cycles. Your team will work with a variety of individuals, including key stakeholders and other development teams. However, the customer's project manager will manage priorities. The team will be responsible for the data stream to data storage solutions. Focus on design, implementation, and operation of data management systems and will design how data is stored, consumed, integrates, and managed by different data entities and digital systems. They will plan, design, and optimize for data throughput and query performance issues and run security scans on existing and new web applications.

Basic Qualifications:

• Must have an active TS/SCI with poly to be considered
• Must have a Masters and at least 15 years of experience OR a doctorate and at least 13 years of experience OR a Bachelors and 18 years of experience.
• Experience working with an AWS cloud environment.
• Experience understanding and implementing system security requirements.
• Experience creating a testing environment to identify and improve bugs and efficiencies.
• Experience programming in Python, PowerShell, and Java 8+.
• Experience using Python and the PySpark library to read, write, and manipulate large structured and semi-structured datasets.
• Experience using task tracking and version control technology to include JIRA and GitHub.
• Experience using SQL and database technologies such as MySQL or SQL server.
• Experience using and managing ElasticSearch clusters.
• Experience tuning and optimizing ElasticSearch.
• Experience creating and managing ElasticSearch indices.
• Experience with Apache Spark and managing Spark clusters.
• Experience tuning and optimizing Apache Spark.
• Experience with the Databricks platform and Databricks API & CLI.
• Experience understanding Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS).
• Experience understanding Databricks File System (DBFS).
• Experience with infrastructure as code (IaC) technologies including AWS Cloud Formation.
• Experience using automated build tools such as Jenkins.
• Experience implementing machine learning models on text and multimedia data such as Spark NLP and Computer Vision models.
• Experience with Linux operating systems and shell scripting such as Bash.
• Experience developing machine learning models on text data and structured datasets.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics, or related field or equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated professional experience with cloud technology networks, digital forensics, or cybersecurity topics.
• Demonstrated experience using artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies/packages.
• Demonstrated experience using data pipelines and workflow technologies.
• #MSBA

At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting: July 22, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range: Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.