SME Data Scientist Lead

SAIC; Illinois; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC seeks a Subject Matter Expert - Data Scientist Lead at Scott AFB, IL to guide advanced analytics and data engineering for USTRANSCOM and the JDPAC V center. This role blends technical leadership with hands-on data science to deliver actionable insights for sustainment supply chains and global distribution.

Responsibilities include leading architectural decisions, migrating pipelines to Palantir and AWS, and building predictive models, dashboards, and decision-support tools.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret clearance and U.S. Citizenship required.
• 10+ years of data science/advanced analytics (or 8+ years with a Master's).
• Experience with Teradata to cloud migrations.
• Hands-on with AWS/Palantir cloud ecosystems.
• Proficiency in Python for data engineering and ML.
• Experience with BI tools (Power BI / Qlik) and automation (Power Automate).
• Strong leadership and stakeholder communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical strategy and guide analytics architecture across DoD sustainment supply chains.
• Migrate legacy workflows from Teradata to Palantir AWS cloud.
• Develop predictive and prescriptive models for global distribution.
• Build dashboards and BI solutions for executive leadership.
• Mentor data science team within agile delivery.

Skills

SQL proficiency

Python

Machine learning

Operations research

Cloud computing

Data engineering

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Data Science / OR / Math / CS

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

AWS

Palantir Maven

Databricks

Power BI

Power Automate

Job description

SAIC is seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) - Data Scientist Lead to support the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Joint Distribution Process Analysis Center (JDPAC V) at Scott AFB, IL. This role serves as the lead data scientist and principal technical advisor guiding advanced analytics and data engineering initiatives across the Department of Defense (DoD) sustainment supply chain and global distribution enterprise.

As USTRANSCOM transitions its analytical backbone from legacy on-premises systems (Teradata) to modern cloud environments-including the Palantir / Maven Smart System and AWS / War Data Platform-the SME - Data Scientist Lead will spearhead the architecture, development, and operationalization of advanced analytical models and decision-support tools. This position blends technical leadership, hands-on data science, and stakeholder collaboration to deliver actionable intelligence for global mobility, deployment, and distribution operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical Leadership & Cloud Modernization

  Serve as the lead data science SME, advising USTRANSCOM leadership and JDPAC stakeholders on analytic strategy, modern data architecture, and cloud adoption.

  Drive the migration of legacy analytic workflows and pipelines (Teradata) into enterprise cloud environments, primarily Palantir (Maven Smart System) and AWS (War Data Platform).

  Translate complex operational, distribution, and supply chain questions into rigorous mathematical models, predictive algorithms, and automated analytical pipelines.

• Data Engineering & Pipeline Development

  Design, implement, and govern data pipelines and ontologies across AWS and Palantir environments.

  Ingest, harmonize, and curate disparate, enterprise-scale logistics data from DoD transportation and supply data systems (including IGC and affiliated distribution feeds).

  Build robust data transformations and workflows utilizing modern cloud data tools and Power Automate to streamline recurring reporting processes.

• Data Science, Machine Learning & Operations Research

  Formulate and deploy advanced statistical, operations research, and machine learning addressing sustainment supply chain readiness, capacity constraints, and network distribution dynamics.

  Develop predictive and prescriptive capabilities, including:

  Multi-echelon supply and transportation demand forecasting

  Network and multimodal route optimization

  Port throughput and distribution bottleneck analysis

  Supply chain vulnerability, risk, and resilience modeling

  Deliver operational prototypes and simulation tools that evaluate time, cost, asset visibility, and mission trade-offs under dynamic operational conditions.

• Business Intelligence, Visualization & Automation

  Build and deliver interactive decision-support applications, dashboards, and exploratory tools using Palantir Workshop, Contour, Quiver, Qlik, Databricks, and Microsoft Power BI.

  Implement automated data alerts, workflows, and process integrations using Power Automate.

  Deliver high-impact executive briefings, technical documentation, and visual narratives to senior military and civilian leaders.

• Team Mentorship & Delivery Management

  Lead and mentor a team of data scientists, operations research analysts, and data engineers in modern analytics engineering, version control, and collaborative development best practices.

  Coordinate cross-functional requirements with functional logistics SMEs, data stewards, and cloud engineers in an agile delivery framework.

Required Qualifications:

• Clearance & Citizenship: Active DoD Secret clearance; U.S. Citizenship required.

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Operations Research, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or related technical field, with 10+ years of progressive experience in data science, advanced analytics, or operations research (or Master's degree with 8+ years).

• Cloud & Data Systems: Demonstrated proficiency in SQL and relational database concepts, including experience with enterprise data architectures and migration patterns (e.g., Teradata to cloud repositories).

• Hands-on experience working in modern cloud analytical ecosystems such as AWS/Palantir.

• Programming & Modeling: Advanced proficiency in Python for data engineering, statistical modeling, and machine learning.

  Practical background applying linear/nonlinear optimization, simulation, network analysis, or predictive modeling to complex operational problems.

• BI & Visual Analytics: Proven experience building self-service dashboards and decision-support tools using Microsoft Power BI, Qlik, and/or cloud-native analytics platforms (e.g., Databricks, Palantir).

  Experience automating workflows and notifications using Microsoft Power Automate.

• Leadership & Communication: Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, manage sprint backlogs, and convey advanced analytical concepts to non-technical operational stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications:

• - Master's or P