Data Scientist

Agile Defense, LLC; Scott Air Force Base (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Agile Defense, LLC is seeking a Data Scientist to support the design, development, and operational deployment of scalable, AI-enabled data solutions within DoD programs. You will work on data pipelines, pre-processing workflows, feature engineering, and ML services in secure, containerized environments.

The role requires a blend of statistical modeling and software engineering, with collaboration across product managers, full-stack developers, and mission stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of recent specialized experience, OR, an associate's degree plus 7 years of recent specialized experience, OR, a major certification plus 7 years of recent specialized experience, OR, 11 years of recent specialized experience
• 4+ years of experience in applied data science, machine learning engineering, or data pipeline development.
• Proficient in Python, SQL, and distributed data frameworks (e.g., Spark, Databricks, PySpark)

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy scalable, AI-enabled data solutions for DoD programs.
• Shape and deploy data pipelines, pre-processing workflows, feature engineering strategies, and ML services.
• Collaborate with product managers, developers, platform engineers, and stakeholders in agile environments.
• Communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences and ensure reproducibility and testing.

Skills

Python

SQL

Spark/Databricks

Education

Bachelor's degree + 3 years of experience

Associate's degree + 7 years of experience

Major certification + 7 years of experience

11 years of recent specialized experience

Job description

Job Overview

Data Scientist

Location: In Person: Falls Church, VA | Ft. Meade, MD | Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany | Tampa, FL | Honolulu (Camp H.M. Smith), HI | Colorado Springs, CO | Doral (Miami area), FL | Omaha (Offutt Air Force Base), NE | Scott Air Force Base, IL

Clearance Level: Top Secret with the ability to obtain an SCI, Must Have Clearance to Start

Job Description

Agile Defense is seeking a Data Scientist / Engineer to support the design, development, and operational deployment of scalable, AI-enabled data solutions within the Department of Defense's CDAO ADA IR program. This role is part of a multidisciplinary team integrating advanced analytics, machine learning, and engineering practices into mission-critical environments at Combatant Commands.

You will help shape and deploy data pipelines, pre‑processing workflows, feature engineering strategies, and machine learning services within secure, containerized environments. The ideal candidate brings a hybrid of statistical modeling fluency and hands‑on software engineering expertise. You will collaborate closely with product managers, full‑stack developers, platform engineers, and mission stakeholders to transform raw data into meaningful insights and decision‑support tools.

This role requires strong technical communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and experience working in agile environments that value reproducibility, testing, and continuous delivery. Familiarity with cloud‑based data platforms such as Databricks, Palantir, or AWS‑native data services is highly preferred.

Education and Background

A bachelor's degree plus 3 years of recent specialized experience, OR, an associate's degree plus 7 years of recent specialized experience, OR, a major certification plus 7 years of recent specialized experience, OR, 11 years of recent specialized experience

Required Skills

• 4+ years of experience in applied data science, machine learning engineering, or data pipeline development.
• Proficient in Python, SQL, and distributed data frameworks (e.g., Spark, Databricks, PySpark

Preferred Skills

• Experience developing ML models from training to deployment using industry‑standard tools and libraries (e.g., scikit‑learn, TensorFlow, XGBoost, MLflow).
• Familiarity with MLOps, API development, and secure cloud‑based environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, Palantir Foundry).
• Strong understanding of data validation, model testing, and performance evaluation techniques.
• Experience with data visualization and storytelling using tools such as Tableau, Plotly, or Matplotlib.
• Excellent technical communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to non‑technical audiences.

Working Conditions

Requires work onsite in a SCIF

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities