Data Scientist - AI/ML & Advanced Analytics (Fraud Analytics & Investigative Support)

Praescient Analytics; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive healthcare

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

$5K annual training allowance

$500 book allowance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Praescient Analytics is hiring for a Data Scientist role focused on supporting federal fraud detection missions. The position involves designing and implementing advanced analytical capabilities utilizing machine learning, NLP, and data analytics.

The ideal candidate should have a strong background in developing analytical models and experience with Python and SQL. The position offers remote work with possible travel, competitive benefits, and opportunities for career growth.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience developing advanced analytical or machine learning solutions.
• Strong proficiency in Python and SQL programming.
• Experience developing and validating analytical models.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize advanced analytical models for fraud detection.
• Collaborate with various teams to develop analytical solutions.
• Document methodologies and model performance results.

Skills

Fraud Analysis

Python

SQL

Machine Learning

Natural Language Processing

Analytical Thinking

Tools

Azure Databricks

Power BI

Neo4j

Job description

Location: Remote (Occasional Travel May Be Required)

Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust

Position Overview

Praescient Analytics is building a multidisciplinary advanced analytics team supporting federal fraud detection and investigative missions. We are seeking experienced Data Scientists with expertise in one or more advanced analytical disciplines, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), large language models (LLMs), graph analytics, and relationship discovery. These positions will help design and implement next‑generation analytical capabilities that identify hidden fraud patterns, uncover complex relationships, analyze unstructured information, and transform large, diverse datasets into actionable intelligence for investigators and oversight organizations. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on technical specialist who enjoys applying emerging analytical technologies to solve complex fraud, financial crime, and investigative challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, validate, and optimize advanced analytical models supporting fraud detection and investigative missions.
• Apply machine learning, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, graph analytics, and statistical modeling techniques to identify fraud patterns and emerging risks.
• Analyze structured, semi‑structured, and unstructured data from multiple government and commercial sources.
• Develop scalable analytical workflows using cloud‑native technologies and open‑source data science frameworks.
• Collaborate with Graph Data Scientists, Data Engineers, Investigative Analysts, and Technical Analytics Managers to develop integrated analytical solutions.
• Document analytical methodologies, model performance, validation results, and technical recommendations.
• Support Agile software development through sprint planning, demonstrations, peer reviews, and iterative solution development.

Required Qualifications

• Must have experience with Fraud Analysis
• Three (3) or more years of professional experience developing advanced analytical or machine learning solutions.
• Strong Python and SQL programming experience.
• Experience developing, testing, validating, and improving analytical or machine learning models.
• Experience working with cloud analytics environments.
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.

Desired Experience

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: Developing, validating, deploying, and optimizing machine learning and AI models using modern frameworks and best practices for predictive analytics, classification, clustering, and model evaluation.
• Natural Language Processing (NLP) & Large Language Models (LLMs): Applying NLP, LLMs, Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG), semantic search, information extraction, document intelligence, and other techniques to analyze and derive insights from unstructured text.
• Graph Analytics & Relationship Discovery: Leveraging graph databases, knowledge graphs, link analysis, network analytics, entity resolution, and relationship discovery tools (e.g., Neo4j, Cypher, i2 Analyst's Notebook) to identify hidden patterns and complex fraud networks.
• Cloud‑Native Analytics: Developing analytical solutions within modern cloud and Lakehouse environments using platforms such as Azure Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Lake Storage, SQL Server, Power BI, Git, or comparable technologies.
• Fraud Analytics & Investigative Support: Applying advanced analytics to fraud detection, financial crimes, program integrity, federal benefit programs, grants, loans, emergency relief, or other government oversight and investigative missions.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for technically curious data scientists who enjoy exploring emerging technologies and applying them to real‑world investigative challenges. Whether your expertise lies in machine learning, large language models, graph analytics, relationship discovery, or advanced AI techniques, you'll help build innovative analytical capabilities that strengthen government oversight, accelerate fraud detection, and support investigators in protecting the integrity of federal programs.

What you can expect from us

• Real opportunity for career growth in an environment where your achievements will be celebrated
• Constant collaboration with numerous teams to ensure client success
• A team that respects and embraces your ideas and expertise
• Coworkers that are motivated by pursuing excellence, rather than the prospect of personal gain
• A workplace dedicated to supporting and bettering public safety and government agencies

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience
• Comprehensive, company‑paid healthcare for you (we pay your premiums and deductibles)
• 401(k) with company match
• Travel & performance incentives
• 3 weeks paid time off (plus Federal Holidays)
• $5K annual training allowance
• $500 book allowance
• Tuition reimbursement program

Praescient Analytics is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, experience, performance, business needs, and applicable contract requirements. Praescient does not unlawfully discriminate or provide disparate treatment based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. Praescient Analytics acknowledges the applicable clause and provision updates implementing Executive Order 14398, addressing DEI discrimination by federal contractors, and the related FAR/RFO updates, including FAR 52.222‑90 where applicable. Praescient does not engage in racially discriminatory DEI activities, including disparate treatment based on race or ethnicity in recruitment, hiring, promotion, contracting, program participation, training, mentoring, leadership development, or allocation of company resources. Praescient’s employment and contracting decisions are made based on merit, qualifications, experience, performance, business needs, and applicable contract requirements.

Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

US Citizenship Required