Data Scientist Development Program: Path to Expert

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

Job summary

National Security Agency (NSA) is seeking data scientists for the Data Scientist Development Program (DSDP) at Maryland locations such as Fort Meade. Candidates progress from entry to expert levels through a structured development plan, with opportunities to rotate through projects and attend technical conferences.

Strong mathematical, statistical, and programming foundations are essential. The role emphasizes collaboration with NSA experts, leadership development, and ongoing skill expansion in

Qualifications

• Pass Data Science Examination (DSE) covering statistics, mathematics and CS topics.
• Transcripts required; unofficial transcripts allowed at application stage.
• Degrees in mathematics, statistics, data science, CS, or related fields qualify; other degrees require DS certificate or advanced coursework.
• Entry: Associate's degree + 2 years experience or Bachelor's with no experience or Master's with no experience.
• Full Performance: Bachelor's +3 years or Master's +1 year or Doctoral +0 years.

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.
• 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

Programming

Machine learning

Statistical analysis

Data mining

Data visualization

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Doctoral degree

Associate's degree

Tools

Python

R

SQL

Job description

National Security Agency (NSA) is seeking data scientists for the Data Scientist Development Program (DSDP) at Maryland locations such as Fort Meade. Candidates progress from entry to expert levels through a structured development plan, with opportunities to rotate through projects and attend technical conferences.

Strong mathematical, statistical, and programming foundations are essential. The role emphasizes collaboration with NSA experts, leadership development, and ongoing skill expansion in