Data Scientist Lead

SAIC; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Data Scientist Lead to deliver SETA support for a program based in Chantilly, VA. You will analyze complex data to drive mission outcomes, guide analytic strategy, and advise leadership on data-informed tradeoffs.

Responsibilities include designing data sets, integrating large data sources, ensuring data quality, collaborating with cross‑functional teams, and documenting processes and compliance efforts to support operational platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher with nine+ years of experience, or Master’s with seven+ years, or PhD/JD with four+ years.
• Active clearance is required.
• 5+ years of software engineering experience with IC, DoD, and/or commercial sectors.
• Experience applying AI, ML, data science or statistics techniques.
• Ability to manage and support data migration and data architectures.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage data sets to ensure efficient data flow and interoperability.
• Collect and integrate large, complex data sets meeting cross‑organizational requirements.
• Evaluate data quality, reliability and lifecycle efficiency.
• Collaborate with data scientists, software developers, operators, managers and clients to prepare data for predictive modeling.
• Document internal process improvements to optimize data delivery and automate tasks.
• Support testing, validation, and user feedback collection for platforms.
• Develop technical documentation including system specs and modifications.
• Promote data compliance and ethical use of platforms and records.

Skills

Data architecture

Data analytics

Machine learning

Statistics

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD or JD

Tools

Power Automate

Power BI

PowerShell scripting

Job description

Job ID 2615930

Location Chantilly, VA, US

Date Posted 2026-08-20

Category Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory Modeling/Sim Engr

Schedule Full-Time

Shift Day Job

Travel No

Minimum Clearance Required TS.SCI_wPoly

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain None

Potential for Remote Work ORA_ON_SITE

SAIC is seeking a Data Scientist Lead to deliver Systems Engineering Technical Advisor (SETA) support a program based in Chantilly, VA. This role will contribute to the National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) Ground Enterprise Directorate (GED) in Chantilly, VA, which oversees the acquisition and lifecycle management of systems from inception to deployment and operations.

As the Data Scientist Lead you will support the analysis of complex data to drive strategic mission efforts. The role supports the resolution of operational and systems problems into data-driven solutions, guides analytic strategy, and advises leadership on mission impact, model risk, and data-informed tradeoffs.

Key duties of this position include (but are not limited to)

• Supports designing and managing data sets to ensure efficient data flow and interoperability with existing and emerging programs.
• Supports the collection and integration of large, complex data sets that meet cross-organizational requirements.
• Evaluates data quality, reliability, and efficiency throughout the data lifecycle.
• Collaborating with other data scientists, software developers, operators, project managers, and clients to prepare data for predictive modeling and develop data architectures.
• Documents internal process improvements to optimize data delivery and automate manual processes.
• Supports testing and validation procedures to ensure operational platforms function correctly, including the ability to gather user feedback, identify issues, conduct updates, and perform routine quality assurance checks.
• Supports the development of essential technical documentation for reference and reporting, which includes documenting processes, system specifications, and modifications.
• Supports data compliance with regulations, develop guidance, and promote ethical use of developed platforms, data repositories, and relevant technical records.

Qualifications

• Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience. Relevant experience to be substituted in lieu of degree.
• Active
• 5+ years of experience in software engineering with IC, DoD, and/or commercial
• Familiarity with Power Automate, Power BI, and PowerShell scripting for automation and data management tasks.
• Proven ability to manage and support data migration.
• Hands-on practical experience with data architecting, data analytics, machine learning, and statistical methods.
• Experience in applying modern techniques in artificial intelligence (AI), data science, machine learning (ML), or statistics.
• Demonstrated high level of initiative, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking.
• Demonstrated capability and success working in team environments.
• Strong experience in administrative and content management for large-scale organizations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to document technical processes and train end-users.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office applications.

Target salary range $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.