Senior Data Scientist

Leidos; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to provide leadership in analytics for national security programs. This role involves leading complex analytics efforts and requires a master's degree in a relevant field, along with extensive experience in data science. Expert proficiency in Python and/or R is essential, as well as an active TS/SCI clearance. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively with experts and lead the development of innovative data science solutions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with relevant experience required, or Bachelor's degree with more years of experience.
• Expert-level proficiency in Python and/or R required.
• Strong experience working with large, complex datasets needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex analytics efforts supporting national security programs.
• Design, develop, and deploy advanced analytics and machine learning solutions.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to analytic standards.

Skills

Python

Data Science

Machine Learning

Communication

Analytic direction

Education

Master’s degree in Data Science or related quantitative field

Tools

R

Job description

Description

Leidos is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to provide technical leadership and advanced analytics expertise in support of mission‑critical national security programs. This role supports customers operating in classified environments and requires close collaboration with subject matter experts, designers, engineers, analysts, and mission stakeholders to deliver innovative, operationally relevant data science and AI solutions.

The Senior Data Scientist will lead complex analytics efforts across the full solution lifecycle—from problem definition and requirements development through design, implementation, deployment, and ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M). The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, strong mission awareness, and the ability to communicate analytic insights to senior decision‑makers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical contributor and analytic lead on complex, high‑impact national security programs
• Partner with government customers and subject matter experts to define mission problems and analytic objectives
• Translate ambiguous operational challenges into actionable data science requirements and solution designs
• Design, develop, and deploy advanced analytics, statistical models, and machine learning solutions
• Apply advanced data science techniques including exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, predictive modeling, hypothesis testing, and algorithm development
• Integrate structured and unstructured data from diverse sources across classified environments
• Communicate analytic findings, insights, and recommendations to senior technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• Support deployment, monitoring, and ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) of analytic solutions
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists and contribute to analytic standards, best practices, and reusable frameworks
• Maintain awareness of emerging data science, AI, and big‑data technologies relevant to national security missions

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field with 15+ years of relevant experience, or Bachelor’s degree with 18+ years of relevant experience
• Extensive experience applying data science and advanced analytics to complex, mission‑focused problems
• Expert‑level proficiency in Python and/or R, including advanced data science and machine learning libraries
• Strong experience working with large, complex datasets from multiple sources
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts and influence analytic direction on large or complex programs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including briefing senior leaders
• Must hold an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting intelligence community, Department of Defense, or other national security customers
• Experience operating in classified computing environments
• Expertise in one or more advanced domains such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, graph analytics, or predictive modeling
• Experience with cloud‑based or enterprise analytics platforms
• Demonstrated experience mentoring technical staff or serving as a technical lead
• Demonstrated experience providing instruction, instructional design, or curriculum development

Clearance Requirement

Active TS/SCI with Polygraph

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.

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.