Data Scientist (Applied AI – Performance Management)

Leidos; United States; On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking an Applied Data Scientist to join the Performance Management team supporting a large, mission-critical Navy program. This remote role focuses on using data science and AI to surface performance improvement opportunities, improve POAM effectiveness, and enable a proactive, code-first approach to performance management.

You will collaborate with analysts, engineers, and performance leaders while also serving as a hub for AI-driven exploration and capability building across the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree with relevant experience in data science, AI, or analytics.
• Proficiency in Python for data analysis and modeling.
• Ability to frame ambiguous problems and select appropriate analytical approaches.

Responsibilities

• Apply data science and AI techniques to large operational datasets to identify performance issues and opportunities.
• Design code-first analyses and models to automate discovery of performance improvements.
• Evaluate and prioritize POAMs using AI-driven insights to improve contractual performance.
• Collaborate with analysts, engineers, and stakeholders to translate operational problems into data-driven solutions.
• Develop reusable analytics, code, and methods to uplift team capability in data science and AI.
• Communicate insights clearly to technical and non-technical leadership.

Skills

Python

Data analysis

Problem framing

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Leidos is seeking an Applied Data Scientist to join our Performance Management team supporting a large, mission-critical Navy program. This role is focused on using data science and AI to identify performance improvement opportunities, improve the effectiveness of plans of action and milestones (POAMs), and enable a more proactive, code-first approach to performance management. The work centers on Service Level Requirements (SLRs) that govern contractual performance across the program, with additional support to broader Navy performance initiatives such as World Class Alignment Metrics (WAM). The emphasis is on applied problem solving, not reporting-using AI and data science to surface patterns, leading indicators, and improvement opportunities that would not be found through traditional analysis. This role sits at the intersection of data science, operational performance, and AI enablement. You will collaborate closely with analysts, engineers, and performance leaders, while also serving as a hub for AI-driven exploration and capability building across the team. This position is remote. Please be advised that during the interview, you will be required to keep your camera on, and your interviewer will be taking your picture for identification purposes if an offer letter is extended to you.

What You’ll Do

• Apply data science and AI techniques to large, complex operational datasets to identify performance degradation, systemic issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Design and implement code-first analyses and models that support automated or semi-automated performance opportunity discovery.
• Use AI and advanced analytics to evaluate, prioritize, and improve the effectiveness of POAMs tied to contractual performance outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with performance analysts, engineers, and stakeholders to translate operational problems into data-driven solutions.
• Explore and apply context-appropriate AI techniques, balancing innovation with explainability and defensibility.
• Build reusable analytical approaches, code, and methods that elevate the team’s overall capability in data science and AI.
• Communicate insights clearly and credibly to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including leadership.
• Support broader Navy performance initiatives (e.g., WAM) by extending methods and insights beyond SLR-focused use cases where appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors and 4 – 8 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 2 – 6 years of prior relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree.
• US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain an active DoD Secret security clearance.
• Experience applying data science, machine learning, or AI to real-world operational or performance problems.
• Strong problem-framing skills: ability to understand ambiguous problems, identify relevant data, and determine appropriate analytical approaches.
• Proficiency in Python or similar languages for data analysis and modeling.
• Experience working with large, messy, or heterogeneous datasets.
• Ability to explain complex analytical results clearly and defensibly.
• Collaborative mindset and comfort working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with applied machine learning, statistical modeling, or AI techniques used for pattern detection, prioritization, or forecasting.
• Familiarity with operational performance metrics, service-level agreements, or contract-driven environments.
• Experience balancing advanced methods with explainability and stakeholder trust.
• Exposure to AI enablement, platform thinking, or reusable analytics frameworks.
• Experience supporting large-scale or enterprise environments.

What Success Looks Like

• Performance improvement opportunities are identified earlier, more consistently, and with greater confidence.
• POAMs are better prioritized and more effective, with clearer data-driven justification.
• AI-driven insights are adopted and trusted by the team and leadership.
• Reusable data science and AI capabilities exist that others on the team can build upon.
• The team increasingly operates in a code-first, AI-enabled performance management model.

Pay Range: Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00 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 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 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.

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].

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.