Data Scientist

Opens: 22 October 2026 · Closes: 5 November 2026 · Position 010035341M (NH‑1560‑03) at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. A two‑page resume (minimum 10‑pt font) is required; see USAJOBS resume guidance.

About the role

The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) ICBM Digital Futures Branch discovers, matures, and inserts cutting‑edge digital solutions that enhance ICBM digital systems. As a Data Scientist you will serve as a technical authority for complex data‑science assignments supporting ICBM acquisition, operational analysis, and weapon‑system sustainment decision support. You will lead the design and execution of advanced statistical/ML forecasting, digital threading, life‑cycle and sustainment engineering, cost models, optimization/simulation, and decision tools that inform resource allocation across program offices and higher headquarters. The role includes conducting data‑driven business case analyses, quantifying uncertainty and risk, overseeing enterprise impact analyses and readiness metrics, providing policy guidance on data strategy/governance/model validation, translating mission needs into analytic designs, directing end‑to‑end analytics and MLOps activities, and mentoring junior data scientists.

Responsibilities

• Direct, manage, and lead pioneering efforts to develop innovative applications and data visualization projects.
• Research, collaborate, and employ data engineering theory to develop software capabilities that collect and analyze quantitative/qualitative information for ICBM metrics.
• Identify, gather, manage, store, and process structured and unstructured data to establish business intelligence and enable comparative analysis for pattern and trend discovery.
• Conduct regression analysis, statistical analysis, modeling, machine learning, data engineering, mathematical programming, Natural Language Processing, and auto coding.
• Apply computational and machine learning methods to new or big data to identify insights using next‑generation analytical tools.
• Support process/performance improvement; perform studies to identify issues, probable causes, establish assumptions, evaluate remedies, and recommend improvements for data accuracy or system performance.
• Stay abreast of industry technology, trends, and best practices; advise leadership on data analysis strategies that drive agency performance, improve data governance, and promote informed decision‑making.
• Participate with counterparts in planning, developing, and implementing enterprise‑wide analysis plans and strategic approaches.
• Communicate findings, interim results, and progress orally and in writing; present in formal and informal settings.
• Prepare presentations and written reports, build data visualization products, and communicate technical results and actionable insights to decision‑makers with varying analytic sophistication.
• Create and maintain dynamic displays of metric data.
• Assess potential benefits of automation to improve program operational efficiency.
• Lead ICBM efforts to deploy artificial intelligence (AI)‑enabled capabilities reliably, securely, and ethically.

Skills

• Professional knowledge of quantitative techniques and methods to conceptualize, develop, adapt, modify, and apply new models for the most difficult problems.
• Knowledge of a broad range of DoD or private‑sector systems, big data analytics, machine learning, AI, cognitive science, programs, operations, strategies, tactics, resource and information processes, force structure, and weapons systems.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, SQL, R, Java, C++, Scala, or others.
• Ability to visualize data using advanced Excel pivot tables/charts, Power BI Dashboards/report server, Tableau dashboards/server, Qlik dashboards/scripts, and Databricks data connections/data cleaning/scripting.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis to understand data set attribute significance, perform feature engineering, and develop custom data models and algorithms.
• Ability to research, develop, or apply descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and/or prescriptive models to identify the best AI solution design.
• Effective oral and written communication; ability to negotiate complex/sensitive issues and maintain good working relations.
• Ability to perform core KSATs for designated DoD Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF) roles and proficiency levels, including residency qualification standards per DoDM 8140.03 and DCWF guidelines.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top‑Secret security clearance; must handle and safeguard sensitive/classified information per regulations.
• Must meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements, including achieving Engineering and Technical Management “Practitioner” certification within the required timeframe after appointment.
• DoD Cyber Workforce position; must meet position qualification requirements per DoDM 8140.3 within 9–12 months. Assigned role: 423 (Data Scientist) at Intermediate proficiency level. See DCWF Tool for details.
• Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, computer engineering, or data science from an accredited institution, with at least 15 semester hours in statistics and mathematics including differential and integral calculus (preferred).
• Alternatively, a combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major (30 semester hours) in the above fields plus additional education or appropriate experience.

Pay

Typical 2026 salary range: $89,508 – $124,291 (NH‑1560‑03, Value of Position 78, includes 17.06% Hill AFB locality pay). Recruitment, relocation, retention, and student loan incentives may be authorized.