Principal Data Scientist/Architect @ Agile Defense

Data & Analytics (2)
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Data & Analytics (2)

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 NUMBER: 1026

Title: Principal Data Scientist / Architect

Clearance: DoD Top Secret

Location: Arlington, VA; Falls Church, VA;

Overview:

Agile Defense is seeking a Data Science Lead / Architect to lead the design, implementation, and deployment of secure, scalable data architectures and AI/ML pipelines across the DRAID CDAO ADA IR program. This role will serve as the technical lead for data science and engineering activities, partnering with product teams, data engineers, mission stakeholders, and technologists to unlock the value of structured and unstructured data in support of national defense priorities.

As a Data Science Lead, you will architect advanced data processing and model deployment workflows on platforms such as Databricks, EC2, Tableau, and Palantir (Apogee), and lead the development of operational AI capabilities for Combatant Commands and Joint Staff. You will apply DevSecOps principles, build trusted pipelines, support ontology alignment, and drive the adoption of reusable models and MLOps practices across distributed teams.

This role requires a strong foundation in statistical modeling, applied machine learning, and cloud-native architectures, combined with a leadership mindset and a track record of delivering real-world outcomes. The ideal candidate brings expertise in infrastructure-as-code, platform automation, API deployment, and system integration to lead DevSecOps readiness across distributed environments. You will also serve as a key mentor and capability-builder within Agile Defense’s data practice, helping scale data-driven decision-making across the Department of Defense.

Responsibilities/Duties:

Objective 1: Architect and Implement Scalable Data and AI Systems

· Architect secure, scalable, and cloud-native solutions across AI, data, and analytics platforms.

· Lead the design and development of data architectures that support AI/ML operations in production environments.

· Oversee development and deployment of data ingestion pipelines and feature engineering workflows using tools like Databricks and Spark.

· Define standards for data cataloging, lineage, compliance, and continuity across DoD-hosted environments.

· Ensure system interoperability, availability, and integration across enterprise platforms (e.g., Apogee, Cliq, Tableau).

· Create detailed architecture diagrams, technical documentation, and deployment playbooks to support system integration.

· Guide the full lifecycle of AI initiatives from scoping and prototyping to operational deployment and monitoring.

Objective 2: Lead Technical Execution and Operational Readiness of Projects

· Configure, deploy, and troubleshoot RESTful APIs across distributed systems and data environments.

· Implement automation for system deployment, monitoring, backup, and recovery using infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible).

· Tune platform performance and drive continuous optimization of operations in environments such as EC2 and Databricks.

· Support continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) and observability for system health and availability.

· Manage CI/CD pipelines and model versioning using DevSecOps best practices.

· Apply reproducible workflows for unit testing, source control, and model retraining, ensuring models remain current and auditable.

· Support ingestion of multimodal data sources, including sensor data, text, geospatial, and time series data.

Objective 3: Provide Technical Leadership and Mentorship

· Serve as the primary technical mentor for a cross-functional team of data scientists, engineers, and analysts.

· Conduct regular reviews of modeling approaches, infrastructure decisions, and integration plans.

· Define and communicate architecture strategy, standards, and best practices across delivery teams.

· Support onboarding and skills development through internal knowledge-sharing and paired problem-solving.

Objective 4: Collaborate with Stakeholders to Translate Mission into Models

· Work directly with ADA/IR stakeholders to understand decision workflows and operational data gaps.

· Facilitate stakeholder engagement to prioritize model objectives and interpretability requirements.

· Ensure seamless interoperability across legacy systems, mission platforms, and new technologies like Avana and Palantir.

· Partner with product managers and system engineers to ensure AI solutions are technically feasible, ethically responsible, and aligned with mission goals.

· Produce clear technical documentation, failover strategies, and model performance summaries for leadership audiences.

Objective 5: Advance Agile Defense’s AI/ML Capability and Visibility

· Contribute to the growth of Agile Defense’s data science practice by developing public-facing demonstrations, templates, and reusable components.

· Collaborate with BD and capture teams to define technical strategies for future AI/ML engagements.

· Contribute to Agile Defense Communities of Practice and external conferences by sharing novel use cases and lessons learned.

· Contribute to open-source or federated data science efforts where aligned with security and mission constraints.

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

· 2+ years of experience working with Palantir Foundry

· 2+ years of experience working with Advana

Required Skills/Qualifications:

· 6+ years of experience with data analytics, data engineering, statistical analysis, or artificial intelligence and machine learning

· 6+ years of experience with major data science languages, including Python and R

· 6+ years of experience retrieving, merging, and analyzing structured and unstructured data sources from APIs and databases, including through R, Python, or SQL

· 2+ years of experience developing and documenting organizational standards for Data Storage, Data Transformation, and Metadata Management

· Experience with ETL processing

· Bachelor's degree in computer sciences, information systems, engineering or other related technical discipline.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions

· Contractor site with varied travel possible. Possible off-hours work to support releases and outages. General office environment. Work is generally sedentary in nature but may require standing and walking for up to 10% of the time. The working environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are not hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment available.

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; Stoop, Kneel, Crouch, or Crawl; See; Push or Pull; Climb (stairs, ladders) or Balance (ascend / descend, work atop, traverse).

About Us:

Agile Defense delivers IT strategy, cloud, cybersecurity, application, data and analytics, enterprise IT, intelligence analysis, and mission operation support services to accelerate technical performance and efficiency for Defense, Civilian, and National Security & Federal Law Enforcement clients.

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.

We also believe in supporting our employees by offering a competitive and comprehensive benefits package. To explore the benefits we offer, please visit our website under the Careers section.

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

Principal Data Scientist/Architect

Agile Defense

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