Data Scientist

Location: Chantilly, VA, US

Schedule: Full‑Time, Day shift

Travel: No

Potential for remote work: Yes (on‑site required as needed)

About the role

SAIC is hiring a Data Scientist to serve as a Systems Engineering Technical Advisor (SETA) supporting a program within the National Reconnaissance Office’s Ground Enterprise Directorate. The role focuses on analyzing complex data to drive strategic mission efforts, resolving operational and systems problems with data‑driven solutions, guiding analytic strategy, and advising leadership on mission impact, model risk, and data‑informed tradeoffs.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage data sets to ensure efficient data flow and interoperability with existing and emerging programs.
• Collect and integrate large, complex data sets that meet cross‑organizational requirements.
• Evaluate data quality, reliability, and efficiency throughout the data lifecycle.
• Collaborate with data scientists, software developers, operators, project managers, and clients to prepare data for predictive modeling.
• Document internal process improvements to optimize data delivery and automate manual processes.
• Support testing and validation procedures to ensure operational platforms function correctly, gather user feedback, identify issues, conduct updates, and perform routine quality‑assurance checks.
• Develop essential technical documentation for reference and reporting, including processes, system specifications, and modifications.
• Ensure data compliance with regulations, develop guidance, and promote ethical use of platforms, data repositories, and technical records.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with five (5) or more years of experience, or Master’s degree with three (3) or more years of experience, or PhD with relevant experience; relevant experience may substitute for a degree.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with polygraph.
• Software engineering experience with intelligence community, DoD, and/or commercial space architectures, systems, or operations.
• Hands‑on experience with data analytics, machine learning, and statistical methods.
• Experience applying modern AI, data science, machine learning, or statistical techniques.
• Demonstrated initiative, creative problem‑solving, and critical thinking.
• Proven ability to work effectively in team environments.
• Strong oral and written communication skills for technical matters in a high‑tempo environment.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Clearance

• Active Top Secret/SCI with polygraph required; ability to obtain additional clearance if needed.

Pay

Target salary range: $120,001 – $160,000 (based on experience and other factors).