Senior Data Scientist

Rocket Lab; United States; Remote; USD 155,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company is seeking a Data Scientist to develop innovative AI solutions that enhance space sustainability. This full-time remote role emphasizes collaboration within a multidisciplinary team to create impactful machine learning models and simulations that contribute to space security and safety.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or MS plus 2 years experience in mathematics, data science, physics, or related field.
• Proficiency in algorithm development in programming languages like Python, C++, or Java.
• Expert-level understanding of machine learning and deep learning.

Responsibilities

• Develop machine learning approaches and algorithms to support business insights.
• Spearhead AI initiatives involving LLMs and automated reasoning agents.
• Collaborate with a diverse team of scientists and engineers.

Skills

Algorithm development

Machine learning

Deep learning

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Advanced degree (Ph.D. or MS)

Tools

Python

C/C++

Java/Kotlin

Julia

Job description

What You’ll Do:

In this role, you will be a member of the Data Science team, which is rooted within the larger science organization at Slingshot. You will contribute directly to Slingshot’s vision to accelerate space sustainability to create a safer, more connected world.

Slingshot Aerospace cares deeply about our commitment to company values, mission, and purpose. The core competencies we will be looking to identify include intellectual agility, ability to develop innovative solutions, leadership, performance orientation, and industry expertise.

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop machine learning approaches, algorithms, prototypes, and models that lend insights into key business arenas and future opportunities;
• Spearhead cutting edge AI initiatives with LLMs, agentic systems, and automated and reasoning agents;
• Envision and develop simulation environments to support agent training and learning;
• Participate in a matrixed team of AI and data scientists, astrodynamics scientists, and engineers;
• Identify and develop predictive algorithms, research, insights, and data science products;
• Participate in a strong data science team culture;
• Identify and develop data science product development, business concepts, and outreach activities;
• Author thought leading publications to advance technology for space security, safety, and sustainability;
• Collaborative work to deliver data science modeling insights as publications, papers, internal communications, and IP patents;
• Perform other duties as assigned (to be less than 10% of the responsibilities listed above).

Pre-Requisites

• Must be eligible to obtain or maintain US Government Security Clearance

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. or MS plus 2 years experience) with graduate degree in mathematics, data science, physics, or other related quantitative discipline;
• Conducted quantitative research with an emphasis in one or more of the following areas: (a) simulation modeling and analysis, (b) reinforcement learning, (c) agent-based modeling, prediction, and insights, or (d) stochastic data set construction;
• Demonstrated proficiency in algorithm development and implementation in one or more formal programming language(s) (e.g. Julia, Python, java/kotlin, C/C++);
• Expert-level understanding of machine learning and deep learning;
• Ability to work within multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced, evolving operational environment that spans military, government, and industry partners;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Skills

• Published peer-reviewed journal articles employing data science simulation methods, approaches, applications, predictions, or dataset creation;
• Experience in physics, aerospace, and astrodynamics disciplines and research questions;
• Ability to demonstrate creative solutions to challenging projects;
• Development of AI algorithms for use in environmental, physical, or behavior prediction;
• Experience leading the development, implementation, and transition of technology to production.

These skills are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. You don’t have to meet every qualification listed - if your skills are transferable and you meet the minimum requirements, we encourage you to apply.

Location: Remote, US

Classification: Full-time Exempt

Compensation: $155,000 - $200,000 annually

US-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following U.S. states: AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OR, RI, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, and WI. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other U.S. states at this time.

Internationally-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following locations: United Kingdom. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other countries at this time.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion are key to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds, who share a passion for creating a safer, more connected world. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also national origin, citizenship, sex, color, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic that is part of one’s identity. All of our employees’ points of view are key to our success, and we embrace individuality.