Data Scientist

CACI; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 93,500 - 196,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Wellness benefits

Retirement plans

Continuing education support

Time off benefits

Job summary

CACI is seeking a Data Scientist in San Antonio, TX to develop complex AI/ML systems for the Department of Defense. You will lead efforts to identify threats using advanced algorithms and mentor a team of developers. The ideal candidate should have 5+ years of experience in deploying ML models, an active TS/SCI security clearance, and strong programming skills in Python.

The role offers a competitive salary range between $93,500 - $196,500 and comprehensive benefits including healthcare and family support.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Machine Learning with deployment experience.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance required.
• Strong Python programming skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy high-performance ML models.
• Lead data preparation and model lifecycle.
• Mentor junior software developers.

Skills

Machine Learning

Python

Data Visualization

Deep Learning

Cybersecurity

Education

Master's in Data Science or related field

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Elasticsearch

Docker

CI/CD

Job description

Job Title: Data Scientist

Job Category: Science

Time Type: Full time

Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI

Employee Type: Regular

Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 10%

Type of Travel: Local

The Opportunity

The 35th Intelligence Squadron seeks a motivated AI/ML Engineer to develop and deploy complex Artificial Intelligence systems defending the Department of Defense Air Force Information Network (AFIN). The role requires anomaly detection algorithms for identifying and isolating malicious threats using supervised and unsupervised learning, Graph Neural Networks, and Deep Learning models.

You will drive our cyber threat intelligence and detection mission by providing expert leadership and mentorship in advanced AI/ML solutions, augmenting cyber threat analysts triaging 1TB+ of boundary device logs daily to produce defensible intelligence reports with real mission consequences. You will provide technical direction for the design, implementation, testing, deployment, and operation of the 35 IS's cyber threat detection methods and enabling systems.

Responsibilities

• Design & Deploy: Architect, build, and deploy high-performance ML models with 1TB+ daily ingestion across heterogeneous data sources into production, ensuring scalability, reliability, and low latency.
• Drive the ML Lifecycle: Lead data preparation, model development, evaluation, monitoring, drift detection, and continuous retraining within mission-aligned constraints.
• Model Innovation: Develop and implement state-of-the-art algorithms, specifically a hybrid GNN and BiLSTM architecture operating on a continuously updated heterogeneous network graph.
• Optimize: Improve model performance through feature engineering, hyperparameter tuning, and advanced experimentation.
• Mentorship: Mentor junior software developers and provide technical guidance and expertise.
• Logistics: Ensure appropriate documentation for all delivered analytics. Build explainability into the product from the beginning to support defensible intelligence reports. Ensure analyst trust is a design requirement, not an afterthought.
• Innovation: Guide analytic approaches where information is incomplete or no precedent exists. Apply that experience to real constraints: classification boundaries, data that cannot be shared with vendors, upstream pipeline failures, and out of order log delivery.

Qualifications

Required:

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Certification: DOD Directive 8140.01 (Security+ or equivalent).
• Experience: 5+ years in Machine Learning focused on deploying models into production.
• Education: Master's in Data Science, AI, or related quantitative field preferred.
• Technical Skills: Deep knowledge of ML frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Programming: Strong Python. ML libraries including Spark MLlib, Scikit-learn, XGBoost, Keras, Hugging Face, PyTorch Geometric, MLflow. Explainability tools such as SHAP, GNNExplainer, or attention-based interpretation methods.
• Data: Extensive experience incorporating data from multiple sources, labeling data for training, and identifying hidden patterns.
• Visualization: Matplotlib, Grafana, or Kibana. Communication: Ability to communicate complex problems and solutions to non-technical leadership.

Desired:

• 2+ years developing analytic solutions at scale over multiple PB of data.
• Experience with:
  • Elasticsearch (ELK stack) and Lucene.
  • Docker/Kubernetes and containerized products.
  • CI/CD pipelines and Git.
  • Data pipelines - Pandas, NumPy, NiFi, Kafka, or similar.
  • Confluence, Jira, and collaborative platform experience.
  • Software engineering best practices across the full development lifecycle.
  • Familiarity with network defense, cybersecurity principles, and threat hunting.
  • Familiarity with data collection, storage, and monitoring.

Pay Range

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

The proposed salary range for this position is: $93,500 - $196,500

CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.