Data Scientist -AI Pilots

Optima Global Solutions Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Optima Global Solutions Inc. is seeking a mid-level Data Scientist to lead practical ML pilot initiatives within federal programs. You will design, develop, and deploy AI/ML solutions, build Python-based data pipelines, and integrate systems via APIs in secure environments.

You will collaborate with agile teams to translate business needs into deployable models, support workflows with Power Automate, and help scale successful pilots to production systems for mission-focused clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, MIS, engineering, mathematics, or related field.
• 3–6 years of data science, AI, or analytics experience.
• Strong Python development skills, including data pipelines, ML models, and API integrations.
• Experience with Power Automate or similar workflow tools.
• Experience delivering AI/ML solutions (predictive models, NLP, or LLM apps).
• Experience integrating multiple data sources via REST APIs.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy AI/ML pilot solutions for government use cases.
• Develop Python-based data ingestion, processing, modeling, and deployment pipelines.
• Build automation workflows with Power Automate to support data movement and process improvement.
• Integrate APIs and data services to enable end-to-end analytical pipelines.
• Prepare and structure datasets for analysis and modeling.
• Translate business needs into technical designs and prototypes.
• Collaborate with teams and stakeholders to ensure mission alignment.
• Support scaling pilots into production-ready implementations.

Skills

Python development

Agile delivery

Strong communication

REST APIs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/MIS/Engineering/Math

Tools

Power Automate

Azure AI/ML

REST APIs

Job description

Founded in 2001, Optima Global Solutions Inc. brings over two decades of IT transformation experience across higher education, government, manufacturing, and financial services. Optima specializes in Automation and AI, Strategic Staffing and Custom Solutions Development, focusing on process, people, strategy, and transformation.

Position Summary

We are seeking a mid-level Data Scientist to support AI pilot initiatives across government programs. This role focuses on designing and delivering practical Machine Learning (ML) solutions that address operational challenges in secure environments. The Data Scientist will work within an Agile delivery team to build working prototypes, integrate automation tools and APIs, and translate business needs into deployable technical solutions. The role supports cross-functional efforts to expand responsible AI adoption across mission-focused federal programs.

Job Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy AI/ML pilot solutions aligned to operational government use cases such as workflow automation, document processing, and decision-support analytics
• Develop Python-based solutions for data ingestion, processing, modeling, and deployment, including integration across systems using APIs
• Build automation workflows using Microsoft Power Automate and similar tools to support data movement and process improvement
• Integrate APIs and data services to enable end-to-end analytical pipelines across legacy and modern platforms
• Prepare and structure operational datasets, including cleaning, organizing, and transforming inconsistent data for analysis and modeling
• Translate business and operational requirements into technical designs, models, and working prototypes
• Collaborate with technical teams, program leadership, and stakeholders to ensure solutions align with mission needs
• Support the transition of successful pilot efforts into scalable, production-ready implementations

Job Requirements

• Bachelor\'s degree in computer science, Management Information Systems, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field
• 3–6 years of experience in data science, applied Artificial Intelligence, or software-driven analytics roles
• Strong Python development skills, including experience building data pipelines, ML models, and API integrations
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Power Automate or similar workflow automation tools
• Experience building or deploying AI/ML solutions such as predictive models, NLP systems, or Large Language Model (LLM) applications
• Experience working with REST APIs and integrating multiple data sources into working solutions
• Ability to translate operational problems into structured analytical and technical implementations
• Experience supporting government clients, healthcare environments, or regulated systems preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to attend customer meetings in Rosslyn, Virginia as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft Azure, particularly Azure AI and Machine Learning services
• Familiarity with secure government cloud environments such as AWS GovCloud or Azure Government
• Working knowledge of Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), model deployment, and lifecycle management practices
• Experience working in Agile delivery environments focused on rapid prototyping and iterative implementation