Data Scientist SME – Enterprise Mission Automation (Process Disruption)

Leidos; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 154,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Fort Meade, MD seeks an Eminent Expert Data Scientist and Mission Automation SME to disrupt legacy workflows, architect rapid prototypes, and deploy AI at wire speed across mission operations. You will drive transformation, reduce latency, and mentor senior technologists.

The role requires 15+ years in Data Science or related fields, 5–7 years in workflow automation, and hands-on leadership. Expect mastery of AI/frameworks, automation tools (Ansible, SaltStack, GitLab CI/CD), and API

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or Software Engineering.
• Master’s or PhD in AI, ML, or Computational Engineering preferred.
• CKA, AWS DevOps Pro, or Terraform Associate certifications preferred.
• TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance or equivalent security credentials.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation strategy, solution design, and code reviews across teams.
• Mentor senior technologists and drive automation culture within the organization.
• Architect rapid-prototype AI solutions and deploy enterprise automation for mission operations.

Skills

AI Frameworks

Workflow Automation

Orchestration

Automation Tools

Scripting

API Integration

Education

Bachelor's in Data Science/CS/SWE

MS/PhD in AI/ML/Computational Eng

CKA Certification

AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional

Terraform Associate

Military Equivalency

Tools

Ansible

SaltStack

GitLab CI/CD

Job description

Description

Mission Overview

The Leidos Intel Sector is seeking an Eminent Expert Data Scientist and Mission Automation SMEto disrupt ordinary ways of doing business across the command. Your core mission is to eliminate corporate and operational latency. You will challenge legacy workflows, transforming manual processes that take hours or days into optimized, automated pipelines executing in minutes. As a Technical Transformation Leader, you will architect rapid-prototype solutions, deploy cutting-edge AI, and mentor senior technologists to achieve business and mission operations at wire speed.

Core Technical Requirements

• AI & Agentic Frameworks: Production-level scaling of autonomous workflows using LangGraph, CrewAI, or AutoGPT to replace manual decision trees and administrative bottlenecks.

• Workflow Algorithmic Automation: Applying data science methodologies, statistical modeling, and machine learning to optimize enterprise queries, data curation, and ingestion pipelines.

• Orchestration & Business Logic: Engineering and finalizing complex playbooks within automation platforms (SOAR tools, low-code/no-code enterprise suites) to disrupt manual business processing.

• Automation Tooling: Mastery of Ansible, SaltStack, and GitLab CI/CD for mission-critical enterprise pipeline deployment.

• Scripting & Development: Professional-grade mastery of Python, Go, and PowerShell for rapid prototype development of business tools.

• Mission Orchestration: Engineering custom API integrations for unified mission-support systems, including TACMS and Maven Smart System.

Experience & Leadership

• Total Experience: 15+ years in Data Science, Advanced Analytics, Enterprise Architecture, or Technical Operations.

• Specialized Experience: 5–7 years focused on workflow automation, business process re-engineering (BPR), DevSecOps, or "Hands on Keyboard" (HOK) optimization within the DoD or Intelligence Community (IC).

• Technical Leadership: 3+ years mentoring senior technologists, conducting code reviews, and driving cultural change toward automation.

Education & Certifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or Software Engineering. Master’s or PhD in AI, Machine Learning, or Computational Engineering highly preferred to match algorithmic optimization needs.

• Preferred Certifications: Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional, or HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate.

• Military Equivalency: Documented technical leadership in enterprise modernization, data governance, or automated operations within a cyber/technical framework.

Clearance & Location

• Clearance: TS/SCI with Polygraph required.

• Location: Fort Meade, MD (100% On-site / SCIF).

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range

Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.