Data Scientist Development Program (DSDP) - Entry to Expert Level

US National Security Agency/Central Security Service; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 87,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The NSA Central Security Service Data Scientist Development Program (DSDP) is a data-focused career path designed for senior-level data scientists working on complex, high-priority challenges.

In this onsite role at Fort Meade, you will apply data science, machine learning, and related capabilities to build and validate solutions while progressing through a structured development track for candidates selected for the three-year rotational program.

Qualifications

• Minimum experience: 2 years.
• Experience in designing/implementing machine learning, data mining, statistical analysis, or AI development.
• Ability to program and work across data-science lifecycle.
• Security background investigation and polygraph required.

Responsibilities

• Explore data analysis and model-fitting to identify features of interest.
• Use machine-learned predictive modeling.
• Construct usable datasets from multiple sources to meet customer needs.
• Identify and analyze anomalous data, including metadata.
• Develop conceptual designs and models to address mission requirements.
• Create qualitative and quantitative methods for characterizing datasets in various states.
• Perform analytic modeling and scripting and/or programming.
• Work collaboratively and iteratively across the data-science lifecycle.
• Design and develop analytics and techniques for analysis.
• Analyze data using mathematical and statistical methods.
• Evaluate, document, and communicate research processes, analyses, and results to customers, peers, and leadership.
• Create interpretable visualizations

Skills

Machine learning

Data mining

Statistical analysis

AI development

Computational science

Software engineering

Technical writing

Data visualization

Programming

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Science

Master's degree in a quantitative field

Doctoral degree (PhD)

Job description

The NSA Central Security Service Data Scientist Development Program (DSDP) is a data-focused career path designed for senior-level data scientists working on complex, high-priority challenges. In this onsite role at Fort Meade, you will apply data science, machine learning, and related capabilities to build and validate solutions while progressing through a structured development track for candidates selected for the three-year rotational program.

Role overview

Data science at NSA supports mission work by applying mathematics, statistics, computer science, and application-specific knowledge to gather, transform, and communicate defensible conclusions from data. The work spans traditional data science as well as areas including AI engineering, data engineering, ML Ops engineering, and human perception and cognition engineering.

Salary and location

• Location: Fort Meade, MD (onsite)
• Salary: USD 87,362 - 197,200 per year
• Work schedule: Full-time
• Telework: No
• Remote: No
• Travel required: Not required
• Appointment type: Permanent

Duties

• Explore data analysis and model-fitting to identify features of interest
• Use machine-learned predictive modeling
• Construct usable datasets from multiple sources to meet customer needs
• Identify and analyze anomalous data, including metadata
• Develop conceptual designs and models to address mission requirements
• Create qualitative and quantitative methods for characterizing datasets in various states
• Perform analytic modeling and scripting and/or programming
• Work collaboratively and iteratively across the data-science lifecycle
• Design and develop analytics and techniques for analysis
• Analyze data using mathematical and statistical methods
• Evaluate, document, and communicate research processes, analyses, and results to customers, peers, and leadership
• Create interpretable visualizations

Data Science Development Program (DSDP)

Selected candidates may be enrolled in a three-year rotational Data Science Development Program (DSDP) intended to strengthen basic skills. The program aligns with ongoing expectations to broaden and deepen expertise across the evolving data-science landscape through collaboration with NSA experts in data science and related technical domains.

Security and compliance

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph
• Security clearance: Sensitive Compartmented Information
• Position sensitivity and risk: Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
• Drug test: Yes
• Background check type: National security
• DCIPS Trial Period: required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless veterans' preference-eligible (one-year trial period)
• Upon completion of the trial period, employment will be terminated unless written certification confirms continued employment advances the public interest

How you will be evaluated

Your evaluation will be based on how well you meet the qualifications listed for the position. Programming, formal or informal leadership, and relevant experience aligned to data science work are important factors.

• Programming and leadership experience
• Experience in one or more: Designing and implementing machine learning, Data mining, Statistical analysis, Statistical consulting, Artificial intelligence development, Computational science, Software engineering, Technical writing, Data visualization, or Data engineering

Minimum experience and qualification tiers

Minimum experience: 2 years.

• ENTRY: Associate's degree + 2 years relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree with no experience, or Master's degree with no experience
• FULL PERFORMANCE: Associate's degree + 5 years, or Bachelor's degree + 3 years, or Master's degree + 1 year, or Doctoral degree with no experience
• SENIOR: Associate's degree + 8 years, or Bachelor's degree + 6 years, or Master's degree + 4 years, or Doctoral degree + 2 years (must also include programming and formal or informal leadership)
• EXPERT: Associate's degree + 11 years, or Bachelor's degree + 9 years, or Master's degree + 7 years, or Doctoral degree + 5 years (must also include programming and formal or informal leadership)

Relevant experience definition

Relevant experience must include one or more of the following: designing/implementing machine learning, data mining, statistical analysis, statistical consulting, super intelligence development, computational science, software engineering, technical writing, data visualization, or data engineering. For Full Performance, Senior, and Expert tiers, programming must be included, and leadership is required for Senior and Expert.

Examination, transcripts, and documentation

• Applicants must complete the Data Science Examination (DSE), which evaluates knowledge of statistics, mathematics, and computer science topics related to data science. Passing the examination at a local testing site is required to be considered.
• Transcripts: transcripts for each academic institution are required prior to interview invitation and should be submitted with the online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at this stage.

Education requirements

Degrees in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Applied Statistics, Data Science, Operations Research, Quantitative/Computational Finance, Econometrics/Quantitative Economics, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering qualify without additional coursework requirements. For other listed degree fields, qualification depends on either completing a Data Science certificate from an accredited college/university or meeting advanced mathematics and advanced computer science coursework thresholds, including at least one course from advanced mathematics and at least one from advanced computer science. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Benefits and support

• NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package
• Training will be provided based on the selectee’s needs and experience
• Relocation expenses reimbursed; you may qualify for reimbursement in accordance with agency policy

Candidates should be committed to

• Improving the efficiency of the Federal government
• Upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution
• Embodying the ideals of the American republic