Junior Data Scientist – Analytics & ML

MAXIMUS; Mobile (AL); On-site; USD 59,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

MAXIMUS is seeking a data analytics professional to analyze operational data, build scalable ETL/ELT pipelines with SQL Server and Databricks, and deliver actionable insights for stakeholders. The role covers data preparation, modeling, and the development of KPI-driven dashboards.

Experience with PySpark, Python or R, and Power BI is required. The candidate will collaborate with multiple projects, guide partners, and contribute to mission-focused analytics initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• 5-7 years of relevant professional experience required.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience considered in lieu of degree.
• Bachelor's degree with one to two (1-2) years of experience in quantitative science, social science, or a related discipline.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, and Access.
• Working knowledge of SQL Server/SQL/T-SQL, including querying, joins, indexing basics, and relational schemas.
• Hands-on experience or strong exposure to Databricks and Apache Spark, preferably PySpark, or comparable scalable data preparation systems.
• Foundational programming skills in Python or R for analysis, data manipulation, and machine learning workflows.
• Understanding of data engineering concepts, including ETL/ELT, data modeling basics, data quality checks, reproducible pipelines, and version control.
• Experience building visual analytics with Power BI, including reports, datasets/semantic models, and DAX fundamentals.
• Familiarity with Power Apps and Power Automate for workflow integration.
• Basic familiarity with NLP and Large Language Models, including typical use cases and data requirements.
• Ability to communicate clearly with stakeholders and translate mission needs into data requirements and analytical outputs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy advanced methods to analyze operational data and derive meaningful, actionable insights for stakeholders and business development partners.
• Function as point of contact for data and analytical usage across multiple projects, and guide operational partners on product performance and solution improvement/maturity options.
• Analyze extracted data, identify trends and provide insights and analyses around operations and project data.
• Develop and implement new metrics, functions, and scripts as KPIs as needed.
• Code to defined requirements to segment populations from large enterprise datasets, verify data accuracy, and output files per specifications.
• Create and maintain all documentation including obtaining and collecting artifacts as needed.
• Ad hoc tool development to support operational and under served analytical areas.
• Learning emerging technologies and systems of need for company initiatives.
• Activities to support team communication and strategy implementation (meetings, etc.).
• Project management activities.
• Acquire, integrate, and prepare data from multiple sources to enable operational reporting, readiness analytics, and decision support.
• Design and implement ETL/ELT pipelines using SQL Server and Databricks leveraging Apache Spark/PySpark for scalable batch processing and data transformation.
• Develop and maintain curated, analysis-ready datasets with attention to data quality, lineage, and repeatability.
• Optimize data processing performance and contribute to reliable scheduling, orchestration, and monitoring of recurring workloads.
• Apply statistical methods, data mining, and machine learning to generate actionable insights, forecasts, and predictive analytics relevant to military missions and readiness.
• Create dashboards and analytical products using Power BI, including semantic modeling and measures to support consistent metrics and reporting.
• Support low-code solutions by integrating data products into Power Apps and automations using Power Automate.
• Contribute to text and language-focused use cases by preparing and analyzing unstructured data.
• Demonstrate familiarity with LLMs and agent concepts and assist senior team members in implementing these capabilities where appropriate.
• Document data sources, transformations, assumptions, and analytical methodologies to support transparency and operational continuity.

Skills

SQL

Python

R

Data analysis

Machine learning workflows

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Databricks

Apache Spark

SQL Server

Power BI

Power Apps

Power Automate

PySpark

Job description

MAXIMUS is seeking a data analytics professional to analyze operational data, build scalable ETL/ELT pipelines with SQL Server and Databricks, and deliver actionable insights for stakeholders. The role covers data preparation, modeling, and the development of KPI-driven dashboards.

Experience with PySpark, Python or R, and Power BI is required. The candidate will collaborate with multiple projects, guide partners, and contribute to mission-focused analytics initiatives.