Data Scientist, Mid with Security Clearance

Castalia Systems; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision coverage

401k matching

Generous PTO

Paid holidays

Professional training opportunities

Pet insurance

Job summary

Castalia Systems is seeking a Mid-level Data Scientist to support our client onsite in Chantilly, VA. The role involves evaluating and improving advanced analytics capabilities for national security missions in a classified environment.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years in data science, proficiency in Python or R, and an active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph. You will work with government personnel, developers, and analysts to validate models and advance analytic modernization efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field.
• 6+ years of data science and analytics experience.
• Experience evaluating and improving ML models and analytics.
• Proficiency in Python, R, and analytics libraries.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.

Responsibilities

• Review and improve statistical models and ML algorithms used in intelligence operations.
• Evaluate algorithm performance, accuracy, and scalability against mission requirements.
• Analyze large structured and unstructured datasets to identify trends and improvements.
• Perform validation and verification to ensure reliable results.
• Collaborate with government stakeholders and engineers to implement changes.
• Ensure compliance with security and classified environment requirements.

Skills

Python

R

Statistics

Machine Learning

Data Visualization

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in data science or related field

Master's degree in data science or related field

Tools

Python libraries (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas)

R libraries (tidyverse)

SQL

Jupyter/Notebook

Job description

Job Type: Full- Time Workplace Type: Onsite Clearance: TS/SCI W/CI poly Must be a U.S. Citizen Job Summary Castalia Systems is seeking a Mid-level Data Scientist to support our client onsite in Chantilly, VA. The Data Scientist provides Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support to our customer’s mission by evaluating, assessing, and improving advanced analytics capabilities used across intelligence operations. This role focuses on reviewing existing statistical models, machine learning algorithms, and analytic methodologies to ensure they meet mission requirements, performance objectives, and operational needs. The position analyzes complex structured and unstructured datasets to assess algorithm effectiveness, identify optimization opportunities, and recommend enhancements to government stakeholders. The Data Scientist works closely with government personnel, developers, engineers, and analysts to support model validation, performance evaluation, and analytic modernization efforts. This role operates within a classified environment and contributes to the advancement of data-driven intelligence capabilities supporting national security objectives.

Roles and Responsibilities

A qualified candidate will perform the following duties and responsibilities, but are not limited to:

• Review, assess, and provide recommendations for improving existing statistical models, machine learning algorithms, and analytic workflows supporting Space and Counterspace missions.
• Evaluate algorithm performance, accuracy, scalability, and operational effectiveness against mission requirements and customer objectives.
• Analyze large, complex datasets from multiple intelligence and operational sources to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities for analytic enhancement.
• Conduct validation and verification activities to ensure analytic models and algorithms produce reliable and reproducible results.
• Assess data quality, source integrity, and data management practices that impact algorithm performance and analytic outcomes.
• Develop technical assessments, recommendations, and briefing materials to support government decision-making and capability improvements.
• Support the integration and evaluation of new data sources, analytic techniques, and modeling approaches within existing mission systems.
• Collaborate with government stakeholders, engineers, and data science teams to prioritize improvements and implement approved changes.
• Document methodologies, evaluation criteria, findings, and recommendations to support governance, oversight, and mission continuity.
• Ensure compliance with security, data governance, and classified environment requirements throughout all analytical activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Operations Research, or a related quantitative field.
• 6+ years of experience in data science, advanced analytics, machine learning, algorithm evaluation, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience evaluating, validating, testing, or improving statistical models, machine learning algorithms, or analytic methodologies.
• Proficiency in Python, R, or similar data science programming languages and experience using associated analytical libraries and frameworks.
• Active Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) access and Current Polygraph.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), Space Domain Awareness (SDA), or national security missions.
• Experience with machine learning frameworks and model evaluation tools.
• Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Intelligence Studies, or a related field.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Normal office environment.
• Travel as needed.

Company Description

Castalia Systems is a proven business partner providing mission critical solutions to the Federal Government. We provide cutting edge solutions from Securing and Managing Data to Systems Engineering and Development. Castalia Systems is a pioneer in Artificial Intelligence Design and Application. With our vast knowledge of our customers’ needs and relevant technology, our team is able to bring successful solutions to every mission. We are one-upping our competitors by providing premium IT solutions and platforms with cutting-edge technology so it’s so evident when you compare us with anyone.

Compensation

At Castalia Systems, we provide you with opportunities and choices and support your total well-being. Our benefits include:

• Medical
• dental
• vision coverage
• 401k matching
• generous PTO
• paid holidays
• professional training opportunities
• pet insurance

All regularly scheduled employees working at least 30 hours per week are eligible to participate in Castalia Systems’ benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. Salary at Castalia Systems is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, position knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $180,000.00 to $190,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Castalia Systems’ total compensation package for employees.

Disclaimer

Castalia Systems is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and strives to comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, HIV-positive status, as well as any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws. All such discrimination is unlawful, and all persons involved in the operations of the company are prohibited from engaging in this type of conduct.