Pay
Higher than most similar jobs
$192K–$200K against $118K–$193K, the middle half of what similar US postings state.
From 3,721 postings in the last year. Stated ranges, not salaries paid.
Senior Data Scientist/Engineer
Chantilly, VA
Open 6 months, first seen by us 189 days ago- Pay
USD 192,000–200,000/year — pay source
Salary 192,000 – 200,000 USD per year Our Core Values
Read the full posting- Work setting
- Not stated
- Employment
- Not stated
Before you apply
- Work authorization
- Citizens only
Active DoD - TS/SCI FSP
What you’ll work on
Full postingLead end-to-end development of NLP and entity-extraction models for cyber data
Prototype and integrate generative AI solutions to automate insight generation
Parse raw logs and prepare feature sets for data-engineering tasks
Evaluate model performance and iterate to improve accuracy and scalability
Present findings and demos to stakeholders and incorporate feedback
From the employer’s posting
Lead the end-to-end development of NLP and entity-extraction models tailored for cyber data.
Prototype and integrate generative AI solutions to automate insight generation.
Assist with data-engineering tasks, including parsing raw logs and preparing feature sets.
Conduct model performance evaluations and iterate to improve accuracy and scalability.
Present findings and demos to stakeholders, incorporating feedback into subsequent sprints.
What you’ll bring
All qualificationsCore experience
- Expertise in NLP techniques (e.g., tokenization, named-entity recognition, embedding models).
Qualification wording
Expertise in NLP techniques (e.g., tokenization, named-entity recognition, embedding models).
Education & alternatives
Education, Background, and Years of Experience · Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related field. · 4–8 years of hands-on data-science experience, including algorithm development and model deployment in production environments.
About Agile-Defense
At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges require new solutions.
In the employer’s words · Read in context
Posting record
Report an errorOpen 6 monthsWe first saw this posting 189 days ago and it is still up. Roles open this long are often slow to fill or kept open to collect applications.
- Status in our records
- Live
- First seen by us
- Apr 29, 2026189 days ago
- Recorded sightings
- 147
- 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 189
Up longer than most. Similar jobs usually come down between day 7 and day 55.
From 10,000 similar postings that came down. Coming down is not always a hire.
Agile-Defense is hiring
29 open jobs
Open jobs by the week we first saw them, last 12 weeks.
- Hiring is picking up
- Takes jobs down at a usual pace
See 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
- AWS
- Azure
- Docker
- Hadoop
- Kafka
- Kubernetes
- Spark
- pandas
- Plotly
- PyTorch
- scikit-learn
- TensorFlow
Where the posting names them
· Translate user stories and requirements into technical specifications and test plans. · Implement, document, and maintain Python code for reproducible data-science workflows. · Conduct model performance evaluations and iterate to improve accuracy and scalability.
Required Skills · Strong proficiency in Python and its data-science ecosystem (pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow). Expertise in NLP techniques (e.g., tokenization, named-entity recognition, embedding models).
· Experience with big-data platforms (Spark, Hadoop) and stream processing (Kafka). · Familiarity with cloud-based intelligence-community environments (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government). · Knowledge of containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
· Familiarity with cloud-based intelligence-community environments (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government). · Knowledge of containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes). · Hands-on experience with data-visualization tools (e.g., Plotly, D3.js).
Preferred Skills · Experience with big-data platforms (Spark, Hadoop) and stream processing (Kafka). · Familiarity with cloud-based intelligence-community environments (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government).
· Knowledge of containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes). · Hands-on experience with data-visualization tools (e.g., Plotly, D3.js). WORKING CONDITIONS
Your next step
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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
About Agile Defense
At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges require new solutions. That’s why we always look to the future and embrace change with an unmovable spirit and the courage to build for what comes next.
Our vision is to bring adaptive innovation to support our nation's most important missions through the seamless integration of advanced technologies, elite minds, and unparalleled agility—leveraging a foundation of speed, flexibility, and ingenuity to strengthen and protect our nation’s vital interests.
Requisition #: 1355
Job Title: Senior Data Scientist/Engineer
Location: Chantilly, VA
Clearance Level: Active DoD - TS/SCI FSP
Non-Employee Referral Bonus Eligible: $2,000
SUMMARY
You will join a secure, on-site intelligence data-analysis initiative focused on empowering end users to rapidly sift through vast cyber datasets and surface actionable insights. Working alongside cyber subject-matter experts, data engineers, and analysts, the program delivers a next-generation analytics tool that combines natural language processing, entity extraction, and generative AI to accelerate decision making in a highly classified environment.
As a Senior Data Scientist, you will design, develop, and deploy advanced data-science models and workflows within a cross-functional team. You will translate complex requirements into scalable algorithms, collaborate on data-ingestion and parsing tasks, and iteratively refine prototypes to meet end-user needs. Your work will directly inform the core analytics capabilities of the program’s user interface.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· Lead the end-to-end development of NLP and entity-extraction models tailored for cyber data.
· Prototype and integrate generative AI solutions to automate insight generation.
· Assist with data-engineering tasks, including parsing raw logs and preparing feature sets.
· Collaborate with cyber SMEs to define data-quality standards and validation criteria.
· Translate user stories and requirements into technical specifications and test plans.
· Implement, document, and maintain Python code for reproducible data-science workflows.
· Conduct model performance evaluations and iterate to improve accuracy and scalability.
· Present findings and demos to stakeholders, incorporating feedback into subsequent sprints.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Clearance
· Active U.S. security clearance at TS/SCI with Full Scope Poly
Education, Background, and Years of Experience
· Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related field.
· 4–8 years of hands-on data-science experience, including algorithm development and model deployment in production environments.
ADDITIONAL SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Required Skills
· Strong proficiency in Python and its data-science ecosystem (pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow).
Expertise in NLP techniques (e.g., tokenization, named-entity recognition, embedding models).
· Proven ability to implement entity-extraction pipelines.
· Familiarity with generative AI frameworks and experience with machine learning.
· Experience with data-engineering fundamentals (ETL, data cleansing, feature engineering).
· Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to distill complex concepts for non-technical audiences.
· Demonstrated experience working with cyber or security-related datasets.
Preferred Skills
· Experience with big-data platforms (Spark, Hadoop) and stream processing (Kafka).
· Familiarity with cloud-based intelligence-community environments (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government).
· Knowledge of containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions
· Full-time, on-site at a secure government facility.
· Standard business hours with occasional requirements for extended support during demos or deployments.
· Strict adherence to all security protocols, policies, and data-handling procedures.
. On-site parking.
Strength Demands
· Sedentary – 10 lbs. Maximum lifting, occasional lift/carry of small articles. Some occasional walking or standing may be required. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Physical Requirements
· Stand or Sit; Walk; Repetitive Motion; Use Hands / Fingers to Handle or Feel; See; Push or Pull; Climb (stairs, ladders) or Balance (ascend / descend, work atop, traverse).
Salary
192,000 – 200,000 USD per year
Our Core Values
Employees of Agile Defense are our number one priority, and the importance we place on our culture here is fundamental. Our culture is alive and evolving, but it always stays true to its roots. Here, you are valued as a family member, and we believe that we can accomplish great things together. Agile Defense has been highly successful in the past few years due to our employees and the culture we create together.
What makes us Agile? We call it the 6Hs, the values that define our culture and guide everything we do. Together, these values infuse vibrancy, integrity, and a tireless work ethic into advancing the most important national security and critical civilian missions. It's how we show up every day. It's who we are.
- Happy - Be Infectious. Happiness multiplies and creates a positive and connected environment where motivation and satisfaction have an outsized effect on everything we do.
- Helpful - Be Supportive. Being helpful is the foundation of teamwork, resulting in a supportive atmosphere where collaboration flourishes, and collective success is celebrated.
- Honest - Be Trustworthy. Honesty serves as our compass, ensuring transparent communication and ethical conduct, essential to who we are and the complex domains we support.
- Humble - Be Grounded. Success is not achieved alone, humility ensures a culture of mutual respect, encouraging open communication, and a willingness to learn from one another and take on any task.
- Hungry - Be Eager. Our hunger for excellence drives an insatiable appetite for innovation and continuous improvement, propelling us forward in the face of new and unprecedented challenges.
- Hustle - Be Driven. Hustle is reflected in our relentless work ethic, where we are each committed to going above and beyond to advance the mission and achieve success.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
Employment type
Regular
Source details
Source notes
Source excerptsSelected passages from the saved posting. Check the full description for conditions and exceptions.
- Pay
Salary 192,000 – 200,000 USD per year Our Core Values
- Location & working pattern
Chantilly, VA
SUMMARY You will join a secure, on-site intelligence data-analysis initiative focused on empowering end users to rapidly sift through vast cyber datasets and surface actionable insights. Working alongside cyber subject-matter experts, data engineers, and analysts, the program delivers a next-generation analytics tool that combines natural language processing, entity extraction, and generative AI to accelerate decision making in a highly classified environment. As a Senior Data Scientist, you will design, develop, and deploy advanced data-science models and workflows within a cross-functional team. You will translate complex requirements into scalable algorithms, collaborate on data-ingestion and parsing tasks, and iteratively refine prototypes to meet end-user needs. Your work will directly inform the core analytics capabilities of the program’s user interface.
More source context
Environmental Conditions · Full-time, on-site at a secure government facility. · Standard business hours with occasional requirements for extended support during demos or deployments.
More relevant text appears in the full description.
- Work authorization
Required Clearance · Active U.S. security clearance at TS/SCI with Full Scope Poly Education, Background, and Years of Experience