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

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

Job summary

National Security Agency/Central Security Service in Fort Meade, MD seeks entry to expert level Data Scientists through the Data Scientist Development Program (DSDP). This role emphasizes tackling challenging problems with big data, ML, AI engineering, data engineering, and ML Ops within a supportive, rotational framework.

You will collaborate with NSA experts across domains, participate in technical roundtables and conferences, and may be enrolled in a three‑year Data Science Development

Qualifications

• 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.
• Degrees in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Biology/Bioinformatics, Life Sciences, Environmental Science, Data Analytics, or Information Science/Systems/Technology must include either a Data Science certificate or 5+ courses in advanced mathematics and/or advanced CS.
• Other degrees must be accompanied by a Data Science certificate and 5+ courses in advanced mathematics and advanced CS; at least one course in math and one in CS.

Responsibilities

• Exploring data analysis and model-fitting to reveal data features of interest
• Using machine-learned predictive modeling
• Constructing usable data sets from multiple sources to meet customer needs
• Identifying and analyzing anomalous data (including metadata)
• Developing conceptual design and models to address mission requirements
• Developing qualitative and quantitative methods for characterizing datasets in various states
• Performing analytic modeling, scripting and/or programming
• Working collaboratively and iteratively throughout the data-science lifecycle
• Designing and developing analytics and techniques for analysis
• Analyzing data using mathematical and statistical methods
• Evaluating, documenting and communicating research processes, analyses and results to customers, peers and leadership
• Creating interpretable visualizations

Skills

Data science

Machine learning

Statistics

Big data

Education

Mathematics/Statistics/CS degree

Data Science certificate

Job description

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

• Hiring Agency: National Security Agency/Central Security Service


• Department: Department of Defense


• Location: Fort Meade, Maryland


• Hiring Path: Fed Excepted


• Number of Openings: few


• Security Clearance: Sensitive Compartmented Information

Data science is present in every aspect of NSA's mission to protect the nation. By joining our team, you will tackle challenging problems by leveraging big data, high-performance computing, machine learning and more. We are looking for senior-level data scientists who believe that answers to hard questions lie in the yet-to-be-told story of diverse, complicated data sets.

Key Responsibilities

Data science at NSA uses elements of mathematics, statistics, computer science and application-specific knowledge to gather, make, and communicate principled conclusions from data. It encompasses AI engineering, data engineering, ML Ops engineering, and human perception and cognition engineering, in addition to traditional applications of data science.

You will develop solutions for complex data problems, taking full advantage of NSA's capabilities to tackle the highest priority foreign intelligence and cybersecurity challenges. Due to the evolving nature of the agency's data science challenges, you will be expected to continue broadening and deepening your expertise throughout your career, collaborating with NSA experts in data science, related technical domains and specialized subject areas.

You will have opportunities to participate in internal technical roundtables and to attend technical conferences with experts from industry and academia. There is also potential for some candidates to be enrolled in the three-year Data Science Development Program (DSDP), a rotational program to strengthen their basic skills.

Responsibilities may include:

• Exploring data analysis and model-fitting to reveal data features of interest


• Using machine-learned predictive modeling


• Constructing usable data sets from multiple sources to meet customer needs


• Identifying and analyzing anomalous data (including metadata)


• Developing conceptual design and models to address mission requirements


• Developing qualitative and quantitative methods for characterizing datasets in various states


• Performing analytic modeling, scripting and/or programming


• Working collaboratively and iteratively throughout the data-science lifecycle


• Designing and developing analytics and techniques for analysis


• Analyzing data using mathematical and statistical methods


• Evaluating, documenting and communicating research processes, analyses and results to customers, peers and leadership


• Creating interpretable visualizations

Requirements & Education

Note that different degree fields have different requirements as described below. 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.

Degrees in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Biology/Bioinformatics, Life Sciences, Environmental Science, Data Analytics, or Information Science/Systems/Technology, must include either a Data Science certificate from an accredited college/university OR 5 or more courses in advanced mathematics (for example, calculus, differential equations, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, and calculus-based statistics) and/or advanced computer science (for example, algorithms, programming, data structures, data mining, super intelligence).

Other degrees must be accompanied by a Data Science certificate from an accredited college/university, and must include 5 or more courses in advanced mathematics AND advanced computer science. At least one course must be from advanced mathematics (for example, calculus, differential equations, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, and calculus-based statistics).

At least one course must be from advanced computer science (for example, algorithms, programming, data structures, computer architecture, data mining, super intelligence).

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with National Security Agency/Central Security Service, Department of Defense.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $87362 – $197200/yr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-23.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Excepted' hiring path.

Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-11-12 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov