Senior Data Scientist

VTG Defense; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

VTG Defense seeks an experienced NLP Data Scientist / Machine Learning Engineer to turn large volumes of data into actionable insights for senior leaders.

You will apply NLP, ML, and DL techniques using Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow, and Hugging Face transformers to support production, resources, and performance metrics. Strong SQL skills and GPU-accelerated workloads are required for this role.

Qualifications

• Strong NLP experience and practical data science skills.
• Experience with Python NLP libraries such as spaCy, Gensim, and NLTK.
• Proficient in building ML/DL models and evaluating them.

Responsibilities

• Perform sophisticated analysis of structured and unstructured data using NLP techniques.
• Develop NLP solutions using Python libraries (spaCy, Gensim, NLTK).
• Select NLP approaches based on problems and data.
• Build text classification and topic modeling solutions.
• Develop ML models with Scikit-learn and DL frameworks.
• Create deep learning solutions with PyTorch/TensorFlow/Keras.
• Utilize Hugging Face transformers for NLP tasks.
• Apply encoder-decoder and generative language models.
• Evaluate model performance and measure effectiveness.
• Leverage GPUs for training and inference.
• Provide NLP SME support for organizational initiatives.
• Preprocess large datasets and design ETL processes.
• Communicate methods and results clearly to leadership.

Skills

Python

NLP expertise

SQL

Machine learning

Deep learning

GPU acceleration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Engineering

Tools

spaCy

Gensim

NLTK

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Keras

Hugging Face

Scikit-learn

GitHub

Jenkins

Transformers

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced NLP Data Scientist / Machine Learning Engineer to provide advanced data science and Natural Language Processing (NLP) support for a data-driven business analytics organization.

The successful candidate will leverage Python, SQL, NLP, machine learning, deep learning, and advanced data analytics to transform large volumes of structured and unstructured data into actionable insights that support senior-level decision-making related to production, resources, personnel, and organizational performance.

What will you do?

• Conduct sophisticated analysis of structured and unstructured data using Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques.
• Develop and implement NLP solutions using Python libraries such as:
  • spaCy
  • Gensim
  • NLTK
• Select appropriate NLP libraries, preprocessing techniques, modeling approaches, and evaluation methodologies based on the analytical problem.
• Develop text classification and topic modeling solutions using Python.
• Build machine learning models using Scikit-learn and other machine learning frameworks.
• Develop deep learning solutions using technologies such as:
  • PyTorch
  • TensorFlow
  • Keras
• Utilize the Hugging Face Transformers library and model hub for NLP applications.
• Apply encoder-decoder and generative language models to NLP use cases.
• Evaluate model performance and develop practical approaches for measuring effectiveness.
• Leverage GPUs and accelerated computing to train and execute machine learning and deep learning workloads.
• Provide NLP subject matter expertise supporting organizational initiatives.
• Analyze and preprocess large volumes of raw structured and unstructured data, including text-based datasets.
• Clean, normalize, and prepare data for analytical and machine learning applications.
• Design and implement advanced Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) processes.
• Conduct advanced statistical analysis across personnel, intelligence, production, and performance metrics.
• Assist in selecting and developing appropriate research methodologies.
• Develop practical approaches for measuring organizational and program performance

Do you have what it takes?

• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Demonstrated professional or academic experience performing Natural Language Processing (NLP).
• Strong programming experience with Python.
• Experience selecting and utilizing Python NLP libraries such as spaCy, Gensim, and/or NLTK.
• Experience with deep learning frameworks such as:
  • PyTorch
  • TensorFlow
  • Keras
• Experience with Hugging Face Transformers and associated models.
• Experience developing machine learning models for:
  • Text classification
  • Topic modeling
  • Other NLP applications
• Experience using Scikit-learn and/or deep learning models.
• Experience working with encoder-decoder and generative language models.
• Experience preprocessing and analyzing structured and unstructured datasets.
• Strong proficiency with SQL.
• Experience developing advanced SQL queries using CTEs, set operations, aggregate functions, and nested subqueries.
• Experience developing complex ETL processes and data transformations.
• Experience communicating analytical methodologies, model decisions, and results.
• Experience utilizing version control and development tools such as GitHub and Jenkins.
• Experience leveraging GPUs for accelerated computing.
• Strong analytical and statistical problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to translate complex analytical findings into information that is understandable to customers and senior leadership.