Senior Data Scientist

Job Summary:

FRDA is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to architect and lead the delivery of advanced data science solutions that enable mission-critical decisions for national security and operational environments. This is a technical leadership role that combines modeling, system design, operational deployment, and mentorship. The ideal candidate thrives in dynamic environments and has deep expertise in areas such as signal processing, computer vision, and analytics under edge-computing or tactical constraints.

This role is onsite in Springfield, VA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead full-lifecycle development of data science solutions from ingestion through modeling, evaluation, and production deployment.
• Architect and maintain analytic pipelines using Python, cloud-native services, and containerization technologies (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes).
• Design and implement models for real-time analytics, signal exploitation, threat detection, computer vision, and geospatial applications.
• Integrate solutions with mission systems through RESTful APIs, optimizing performance for fielded environments.
• Mentor junior team members, promote modern MLOps practices, and ensure reproducibility and scalability.
• Collaborate directly with operators, analysts, and mission leadership to shape solution design and delivery timelines.
• Maintain technical awareness of emerging tools, research, and best practices in applied data science and AI.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Data Science, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in designing, building, and deploying operational data science products.
• Advanced proficiency in Python, FastAPI, containerization (Docker), and cloud platforms (e.g. AWS or Azure).
• Demonstrated experience in at least two of the following domains:
  • Signal Processing (e.g., SDR, RF analytics)
  • Computer Vision (e.g., OpenCV, PyTorch)
  • Geospatial Analytics
  • Edge-AI / Low-Latency Modeling
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including experience briefing technical and non-technical audiences.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading technical teams in high-stakes, operational environments.
• Familiarity with deploying AI/ML models in disconnected, edge, or resource-constrained settings.
• Understanding of the operational and data ecosystems in military or intelligence contexts.
• Hands-on experience with MLOps tooling, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud-native ML stacks.

FRDA is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, train, compensate, discharge or any other term or condition of employment, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Reasonable Accommodations: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. FRDA, LLC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, FRDA will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, employees and applicants should contact Human Resources.