Data science and engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Data Science & AI Engineer (IT Casual – Specialist IV) to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of AI products, from conducting exploratory data analysis and developing machine learning models to implementing, testing, and deploying these solutions into production environments.

The selected candidate will be required to work part-time on-site at our facility in Chantilly, VA. This is a casual part-time role.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design, build, and train advanced machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and Generative AI (GenAI) models (including LLMs) to address complex business challenges
• Convert data science prototypes into production-ready services, managing model versioning, monitoring, and continuous training (CI/CD)
• Build and maintain scalable data pipelines for ingestion and processing of structured and unstructured data, ensuring high-quality data for training
• Transform machine learning models into robust APIs for integration with software products, such as recommendation engines, chatbots, or automated assistants
• Perform rigorous statistical analysis, A/B testing, and model tuning to ensure high performance, accuracy, and efficiency
• Work closely with cross-functional teams (App-Dev\Product, Engineering, Enterprise Services Business Units) to define AI strategies, translate requirements into technical specifications, and communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements Data Science & AI Engineer (IT Casual – Specialist IV) include:

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Engineering or related field is required
• A minimum of (15) years of experience, working across multiple industries, and thrives on translating complex data challenges into actionable insights and building self-learning applications that drive business impact is required
• Expert-level proficiency in Python and familiarity with languages like Scala or Java for production systems
• Strong hands-on experience with TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn
• Proficient in SQL and NoSQL databases, as well as data manipulation libraries (Pandas, NumPy)
• Experience deploying models on cloud platforms (AWS SageMaker, Azure ML, or GCP) and nice to have experience with containerization tools (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Familiarity with vector databases (e.g., Pinecone, Milvus), LangChain, and RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) techniques
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to explain technical concepts to a diverse audience

• Casual employment is normally for fewer than 20 hours a week, usually non-continuous, irregular, and infrequent

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Experience with Agentic AI frameworks (e.g., LangGraph, AutoGen) is preferred
• Proven experience in Natural Language Processing (NLP) or Computer Vision (CV)
• Experience with Data tools (Apache Spark, Kafka) is preferred

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at

[email protected]

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