Lead Data Scientist

MITRE; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 233,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE is seeking a hybrid Data Scientist/Data Engineer to tackle high‑impact national security and public interest problems. The role combines data modeling, analytics, ML/AI, and data engineering across the full lifecycle, from processing to deployment.

Applicants should have a strong CS/Math background, hands‑on ML experience, and the ability to work on site for a minimum three days per week. Top Secret clearance is required or must be eligible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience in data science or data engineering.
• Hands‑on proficiency with ML techniques including models and evaluation.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL; familiar with large data sets and analytics.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design data systems and apply advanced analytics, ML, and AI to mission problems.
• Lead data lifecycle activities from modeling to deployment and monitoring.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure scalability, reliability, and secure data handling.

Skills

Python

SQL

Machine Learning

Statistics

Data Modeling

C/C++

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science / Applied Math / Statistics / Data Science

Master’s degree in CS / Applied Math / Statistics / Data Science

PhD in CS / Applied Math / Statistics / Data Science

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

Department Summary:

MITRE’s Data Science and Engineering department is looking for qualified applicants to bring their advanced data science, data engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and applied research skills to bear on solving problems of critical national importance. MITRE’s diverse work program provides opportunities to apply your expertise and creative thinking in challenging domains such as national security, intelligence, transportation, and healthcare. Employees may also participate in MITRE’s internal research and development program, which provides funding for innovative applied research that addresses our sponsors’ hardest problems.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The successful candidate for this position is a hybrid Data Scientist and Data Engineer who combines strong foundations in computer science, mathematics, and software engineering with hands‑on experience designing data systems and applying advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI techniques to solve mission problems. This role requires practitioners who can operate across the full data lifecycle from data modeling, processing, and infrastructure engineering to statistical analysis, machine learning, experimentation, and operational deployment. Our organization values innovation and believes that keeping up with the latest research and technologies is essential.

The candidate should have hands‑on experience in several of the areas specified below, however it is not required that a candidate has experience in all of these areas.

Advanced Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence

• Machine Learning and Model Evaluation (e.g., supervised, unsupervised, deep learning, reinforcement learning)
• Statistical Analysis and Exploratory Data Analysis (e.g., descriptive statistics, regression, visualization)
• Large Language Models and AI‑Assisted Workflows
• Natural Language Processing (e.g., summarization, classification, entity recognition, topic modeling)
• Anomaly Detection and Predictive Modeling
• Graph Analytics (e.g. centrality, similarity, link prediction)

Data Engineering

• Distributed Data Processing and Big Data Architectures (e.g., Spark, Hadoop, Ray, Dask, Kafka)
• Data Pipeline/ETL Development and Orchestration (e.g., Airflow, Dagster, NiFi)
• Batch and Streaming Data Processing
• Data Modeling, Schema Design, and Data Quality Assessment
• Data Governance, Access Controls, and Secure Data Handling
• Cloud‑based Data Platforms and Storage Architectures

Software Development and MLOps

• Computer Programming and Databases – Proficiency in Python and SQL required
• Software Engineering Best Practices (e.g., version control, testing, modular design)
• MLOps and Model Operationalization (e.g., model deployment, monitoring, reproducibility, containerization)
• Linux‑based Development Environments, Git, Containers, and Cloud Platforms

Expectations for this position are as follows:

• Leads functional teams or complex projects with moderate resource requirements, risks, or complexities; Develops strategies and objectives and leads others to execute them.
• Works independently, with guidance needed only in highly complex situations.
• Identifies and leads others to solve complex problems; Uses sophisticated analytical thought to exercise judgement and identify innovative applications; May develop and recommend solutions to novel or atypical problems within the Data Science and Data Engineering disciplines.
• Applies extensive in‑depth conceptual, practical, and technical knowledge within the Data Science and Data Engineering disciplines and transfers that knowledge to others.
• Communicates complex concepts clearly and simply and persuades others to adopt a different point of view.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or related field with 8 years of relevant experience.
• Hands‑on proficiency with advanced Data Science techniques, including Machine Learning (e.g., supervised, unsupervised, deep learning, reinforcement learning), anomaly detection, statistical analysis, and/or analysis of very large datasets.
• Computer programming skills (e.g., Python, R, C/C++, Java, Scala, Julia, Rust, MATLAB).
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 3 days per week on‑site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or related field with 6 years of relevant experience; PhD in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or related field with 3 years of relevant experience.
• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Top Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$155,200 - $194,000 - $232,800 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Commitment to Non‑Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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