Senior Data Scientist

Kros-Wise, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A Defense Analytics Firm is seeking a highly experienced Senior Data Scientist to lead advanced analytics and machine learning model development in a Department of Defense (DoD) program environment. This role involves architecting end-to-end data solutions to enhance operational effectiveness and readiness forecasting. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in data science and leadership, proficiency in Python, R, SQL, and familiarity with military data systems. A Master's degree is preferred, and U.S. citizenship is required with an active secret clearance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in data science.
• Experience working with DoD or federal data systems.
• U.S. Citizenship with an active or interim Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy predictive models.
• Lead data ingestion, cleaning, and analysis from diverse data sources.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve mission needs.

Skills

Python

Machine learning libraries

Data visualization tools

Cloud platforms

SQL

R

Spark

Education

Bachelor's degree in Data Science or related field

Master's degree in Data Science or related field

Job description

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Data Scientist to lead advanced analytics, machine learning model development, and data-driven decision support within a Department of Defense (DoD) program environment. This role involves architecting and deploying end-to-end data solutions that enhance operational effectiveness, readiness forecasting, and mission-critical insights for Navy enterprise systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy predictive models, natural language processing (NLP), and optimization algorithms
• Lead data ingestion, cleaning, transformation, and exploratory analysis from diverse structured and unstructured data sources
• Create interactive dashboards and visualizations to communicate analytical findings to technical and non-technical audiences
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including software engineers, data engineers, and subject matter experts
• Translate mission needs into analytical frameworks, model requirements, and implementation strategies
• Validate and tune models for performance, explainability, and operational relevance
• Author technical reports, white papers, and decision briefings for stakeholders and senior leadership

Minimum Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship with an active or interim Secret clearance
• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related field (Masters preferred)
• 10+ years of professional experience in data science and leadership or senior technical role
• Security+ Certification
• Proven experience with:
  • Python, R, SQL, and Spark for data analysis and modeling
  • Machine learning libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or XGBoost
  • Data visualization tools like Power BI, Tableau, or Plotly
  • Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) and MLOps workflows
• Experience working with DoD or federal data systems, including handling controlled unclassified information (CUI)

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing AI/ML solutions in support of Navy or defense logistics, sustainment, or readiness analytics
• Familiarity with DoD data governance, data labeling, and ethical AI guidelines
• Strong understanding of model operationalization, A/B testing, and production monitoring
• Knowledge of data engineering concepts including ETL pipelines, data lakes, and data mesh architectures
• Agile/Scrum experience or certifications (e.g., Certified Scrum Master, SAFe Practitioner)
• Ability to mentor junior data scientists and lead cross-disciplinary technical teams