Data Scientist Principal

SAIC; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is hiring a Data Scientist Principal to support a SETA program for the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, VA. You will analyze complex data to inform mission decisions, guide analytic strategy, and advise leadership on model risk and data-informed tradeoffs.

Responsibilities include designing data sets, integrating large data, ensuring data quality, collaborating with data scientists and engineers, documenting processes, and supporting testing and compliance with regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level plus 9+ years of experience; Master’s 7+; PhD/JD 4+ (degree substituted by experience).
• Active Top Secret/SCI with Poly.
• 5+ years of software engineering with IC, DoD, or commercial space architectures.
• Experience in data analytics, ML, statistics.
• Experience applying AI/ML techniques.
• Demonstrated initiative, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• Strong oral and written communication in technical, high-tempo environments.
• MS Office proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage data sets for interoperability.
• Integrate large, complex data sets for cross-organizational use.
• Evaluate data quality and efficiency across data lifecycle.
• Collaborate with data scientists, developers, operators, PMs, and clients.
• Document process improvements to automate data delivery.
• Support testing and validation of operational platforms.
• Develop technical documentation on processes and system specs.
• Ensure data compliance and promote ethical use of platforms.

Skills

Data analytics

Machine learning

Statistics

Communication skills

Team collaboration

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD/JD

Job description

Job ID 2618552

Location Chantilly, VA, US

Date Posted 2026-10-28

Category Information Technology

Subcategory Data Scientist

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

Required Education and Experience

• 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 Top Secret/SCI with Poly.
• 5+ years of experience in software engineering with IC, DoD, and/or commercial space architectures, systems, and/or operations.
• Hands-on practical experience with 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 oral and written communications ability on significant technical matters often requiring coordination within a high tempo environment.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office applications.

Target salary range $140,001 - $180,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.