Pay
$118K–$193K is typical
The middle half of what similar US postings state. This one doesn’t list pay.
From 3,721 postings in the last year. Stated ranges, not salaries paid.
Lead Data Scientist
Norfolk, Virginia, US
Actively hiring, first seen by us 6 days ago- Pay
- Pay not listedSimilar roles state $118K–$193K
- Work setting
- Not stated
- Employment
- Not stated
Before you apply
- Work authorization
- Citizens only
Security Clearance: Active SECRET Security Clearance with eligibility for TS/SCI
What you’ll work on
Full postingDesign and implement predictive, prescriptive, and descriptive models for mission decisions
Explore and analyze extremely massive datasets to find actionable insights
Build user-friendly reports and dashboards from multiple databases and systems
Work with data engineers to integrate databases, programs, and systems
Mentor junior data scientists and analysts
From the employer’s posting
Design and implement advanced predictive, prescriptive, and descriptive models to support mission-critical decision-making.
Plan and perform the determination of appropriate methods to creatively explore, mine, analyze, and manipulate extremely massive datasets.
Create user-friendly reports and dashboards using various databases, analyses, programs, and scripts.
Collaborate with data engineers to ensure connectivity and integration between various databases, programs, and systems.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior data scientists and analysts.
What you’ll bring
All qualificationsCore experience
- Master’s degree with 6–8 years of experience; OR
- Strong experience in designing and implementing machine learning models and statistical techniques.
- Expertise in Python, R, or equivalent programming languages for data analysis and modeling.
- Proficiency in SQL and working with relational/non-relational databases.
- Experience with distributed computing frameworks such as Spark or Databricks.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS (SageMaker, Redshift, Glue) or Azure equivalents.
Qualification wording
Master’s degree with 6–8 years of experience; OR
Strong experience in designing and implementing machine learning models and statistical techniques.
Expertise in Python, R, or equivalent programming languages for data analysis and modeling.
Proficiency in SQL and working with relational/non-relational databases.
Experience with distributed computing frameworks such as Spark or Databricks.
Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS (SageMaker, Redshift, Glue) or Azure equivalents.
Education & alternatives
- Security Clearance: Active SECRET Security Clearance with eligibility for TS/SCI. - Education & Experience (Gate Requirements – No Substitution):- Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or related field with 8–10 years of experience; OR - Master’s degree with 6–8 years of experience; OR
- Education & Experience (Gate Requirements – No Substitution):- Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or related field with 8–10 years of experience; OR - Master’s degree with 6–8 years of experience; OR - PhD with 3–5 years of experience.
- Master’s degree with 6–8 years of experience; OR - PhD with 3–5 years of experience. - Strong experience in designing and implementing machine learning models and statistical techniques.
About Bigbear.ai Holdings
BigBear.ai is a leading provider of AI-powered decision intelligence solutions for national security, supply chain management, and digital identity.
In the employer’s words · Read in context
Posting record
Report an errorActively hiringFirst seen by us 6 days ago, still listed, and not a repost of an earlier posting.
- Status in our records
- Live
- First seen by us
- Oct 28, 20266 days ago
- Recorded sightings
- 8
- Last seen by us
- Nov 4, 2026
These dates show when we found the posting. Check the employer’s website to confirm it is still accepting applications.
How this job compares
Time since we first saw it
Day 6
Early. Similar jobs usually come down between day 7 and day 55.
From 9,971 similar postings that came down. Coming down is not always a hire.
Bigbear.ai Holdings is hiring
6 open jobs
Open jobs by the week we first saw them, last 12 weeks.
Hiring recordSee how this role fits your experience
Add your resume and we’ll mark which of these tools you already use, and point out anything in the posting that could rule you out.
- Python
- R
- SQL
- AWS
- Azure
- Databricks
- Power BI
- Redshift
- SageMaker
- Spark
- Tableau
Where the posting names them
- Strong experience in designing and implementing machine learning models and statistical techniques. - Expertise in Python, R, or equivalent programming languages for data analysis and modeling. - Proficiency in SQL and working with relational/non-relational databases.
- Expertise in Python, R, or equivalent programming languages for data analysis and modeling. - Proficiency in SQL and working with relational/non-relational databases. - Experience with distributed computing frameworks such as Spark or Databricks.
- Experience with distributed computing frameworks such as Spark or Databricks. - Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS (SageMaker, Redshift, Glue) or Azure equivalents. - Strong knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or equivalent.
- Proficiency in SQL and working with relational/non-relational databases. - Experience with distributed computing frameworks such as Spark or Databricks. - Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS (SageMaker, Redshift, Glue) or Azure equivalents.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS (SageMaker, Redshift, Glue) or Azure equivalents. - Strong knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or equivalent. - Experience with version control practices (Git).
Your next step
Complete your application on careers-bigbearai.icims.com. The employer’s form will show what is required.
Applying through Jibe
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About the role
We file this job under Data Scientist, by the work the posting describes.
Data scientists use statistics and models to answer harder questions, such as whether a change worked, what demand will look like next quarter, or which customers are likely to leave.
Postings usually ask for Python or R, SQL, statistics, experiment design and common machine learning methods.
Unlike an ML engineer, a data scientist's main output is often an analysis or a first model, not software running inside a product.
US government figures for data scientists
- Median yearly pay, May 2025
- $120,230
- Expected change, 2025 to 2035
- 34.6% more jobsagainst 3.5% for all jobs
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) and Employment Projections (2025 to 2035). Occupation code 15-2051.
Job description
Residency
Overview
What you will do
What you need to have
What we'd like you to have
Pay transparency
About BigBear.ai
All applicants must currently reside in the United States
Overview
BigBear.AI has an exciting opportunity for a Lead Data Scientist to join our talented and agile team of forward-thinking data scientists, data engineers, analysts, mission technologists, and domain experts.
BigBear.AI is one of the fastest-growing AI/ML companies in the industry and operates at the nexus of technology-driven decision support and enterprise data modernization in support of the Department of War (DoW). Our team relies on deep subject matter expertise (SME), active user community engagement, operational awareness, and disciplined data science practices to deliver secure, scalable, and mission-aligned analytical solutions.
Due to the requirement for active, on-site customer engagement and the sensitive nature of our data and applications, the work location for this role is in Norfolk, Virginia.
What you will do
As a Lead Data Scientist at BigBear.AI, you will lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced analytical models and techniques to solve complex problems using massive datasets. You will creatively explore, mine, analyze, and manipulate data to uncover actionable insights, develop innovative solutions, and enable decision-making across mission-critical DoW operations.
You will collaborate with stakeholders, data engineers, and analysts to ensure seamless integration of analytical solutions into operational workflows. You will also communicate results in a manner that is broadly understandable, enabling stakeholders to act on insights effectively.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan and perform the determination of appropriate methods to creatively explore, mine, analyze, and manipulate extremely massive datasets.
- Develop and analyze modeling and measuring techniques using mathematics, machine learning, statistical methods, and engineering approaches to discover multiple solutions to complex problems.
- Design and implement advanced predictive, prescriptive, and descriptive models to support mission-critical decision-making.
- Create user-friendly reports and dashboards using various databases, analyses, programs, and scripts.
- Collaborate with data engineers to ensure connectivity and integration between various databases, programs, and systems.
- Work closely with stakeholders to understand analytical problems and develop tailored solutions.
- Communicate results and insights in a clear, concise, and broadly understandable manner to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Stay current with emerging trends and technologies in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior data scientists and analysts.
What you need to have
- Security Clearance: Active SECRET Security Clearance with eligibility for TS/SCI.
- Education & Experience (Gate Requirements – No Substitution):
- Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or related field with 8–10 years of experience; OR
- Master’s degree with 6–8 years of experience; OR
- PhD with 3–5 years of experience.
- Strong experience in designing and implementing machine learning models and statistical techniques.
- Expertise in Python, R, or equivalent programming languages for data analysis and modeling.
- Proficiency in SQL and working with relational/non-relational databases.
- Experience with distributed computing frameworks such as Spark or Databricks.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS (SageMaker, Redshift, Glue) or Azure equivalents.
- Strong knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or equivalent.
- Experience with version control practices (Git).
- Ability to work with structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data sources.
What we'd like you to have
- Experience supporting DoW enterprise data platforms.
- Familiarity with RMF, NIST 800-53, and DoD IL-level cloud environments.
- Experience with natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision techniques.
- Knowledge of metadata management, data cataloging, and governance tools.
- Experience operating within Agile or DevSecOps environments in government programs.
Pay transparency
Please note the targeted compensation range is provided as an estimate, and any actual compensation offer may vary depending on the needs of the company, or an applicant's skillset, competencies, experience, education, certifications, location, or other factors. The estimated range does not include the value of any benefits offered.
About BigBear.ai
BigBear.ai is a leading provider of AI-powered decision intelligence solutions for national security, supply chain management, and digital identity. Customers and partners rely on Bigbear.ai’s predictive analytics capabilities in highly complex, distributed, mission-based operating environments. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, BigBear.ai is a public company traded on the NYSE under the symbol BBAI. For more information, visit https://bigbear.ai/ and follow BigBear.ai on LinkedIn: @BigBear.ai and X: @BigBearai.
BigBear.ai is an Equal opportunity employer all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Source details
Source notes
Source excerptsSelected passages from the saved posting. Check the full description for conditions and exceptions.
- Pay
No pay amount identified in the saved description.
- Location & working pattern
Norfolk, Virginia, US
BigBear.AI is one of the fastest-growing AI/ML companies in the industry and operates at the nexus of technology-driven decision support and enterprise data modernization in support of the Department of War (DoW). Our team relies on deep subject matter expertise (SME), active user community engagement, operational awareness, and disciplined data science practices to deliver secure, scalable, and mission-aligned analytical solutions. Due to the requirement for active, on-site customer engagement and the sensitive nature of our data and applications, the work location for this role is in Norfolk, Virginia. What you will do
- Work authorization
What you need to have - Security Clearance: Active SECRET Security Clearance with eligibility for TS/SCI. - Education & Experience (Gate Requirements – No Substitution):- Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or related field with 8–10 years of experience; OR