Data Science & AI Data Scientist / AI Engineer (Enablement & Outreach)

McBride has an exciting opportunity to support Allied Command Transformation (ACT) which is NATO’s leading agent for change: driving, facilitating, and advocating the continuous improvement of Alliance capabilities to maintain and enhance the military relevance and effectiveness of the Alliance. The main objectives of ACT are: providing appropriate support to NATO missions and operations; leading NATO military transformation; improving relationships, interaction and practical cooperation with partners, nations and international organizations. ACT therefore leads Alliance concept development, capability development, training and lessons learned initiatives and provides unfettered military support to policy development within NATO.

You will be responsible for the following:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of an enabling data science and AI capability at HQ SACT and for the NATO Enterprise, particularly in the context of the ongoing implementation of the Data Exploitation Framework and Program .
  
• Identify, contribute to, and implement machine learning (ML)/AI initiatives across HQ SACT and the NATO Enterprise with suggestions for ML approaches and implementation, including the processing of training data and performance assessment of machine learning techniques on datasets.
  
• Apply existing data science techniques to new problems and datasets using specialized programming techniques to meet the needs of the project and customer.
  
• Evaluate the outcomes and performance of data science models. Identify and implement opportunities to train and improve models and the data they use.
  
• Publish and report on machine learning model outputs to meet customer needs and conform to agreed standards.
  
• Utilize in-depth knowledge of NLP, ML applications, or computer vision.
  
• Demonstrate experience with Generative AI.
  
• Support review of data science and AI activities, processes, products, or services.
  
• Collaborate with other data professionals (such as data scientists, data and information managers, data engineers), software engineers, and SMEs from different functional areas, branches, and directorates within HQ SACT or NATO entities, as directed, for example in support of the ACT Innovation Branch.
  
• Provide subject matter expertise to (military and civilian) staff within HQ SACT or the NATO Enterprise and develops proofs of concept, as directed.
  
• Provide outreach support to internal and external communities that bring together DS & AI practitioners and consumers. This comprises, for example, TIDE Sprint, the NATO Data Science & AI Expert Network, or initiatives related to academia and industry.
  
• Contribute to the development of scientific studies.
  
• Assist with educational efforts and training development and execution as it relates to data, AI, or digital literacy.
  
• Remain current with new developments in data science and AI to bring innovative ideas into implementation.
  
• Support building a data-driven culture that uses analytics to generate insights, improve decision-making at all levels, inform strategy and policy decisions, and enhance performance.
  
• Perform additional tasks as required by the COTR related to the LABOR category.
  

Requirements

Mandatory Qualifications:

• Proven work experience as a Data Scientist, AI/ML Engineer, or a similar role in the last four years.
  
• Experience in modern software architecture and software development related to data science, analytics, and AI, e.g., Python, SQL, R.
  
• Experience with machine learning and AI frameworks, using e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch , scikit-learn, or other modern machine learning frameworks.
  
• Experience with planning, executing, and maintaining data science pipelines.
  
• Experience visualizing data and producing high-quality graphs and reports, charts, and interactive dashboards using tools such as Tableau, MS Power BI, Kibana.
  
• Proven understanding of data security and privacy issues, particularly in international or military environments, to ensure compliance with NATO standards for protecting sensitive information.
  
• Experience in providing training in various areas related to data science, analytics, and AI at different technical levels.
  
• Portfolio of demonstrable products available via GitLab, or other platforms.
  
• Ability to work in a cloud environment, particularly Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services.
  
• Working experience in an international environment with both military and civilian elements.
  
• Proven ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, with excellent briefing skills.
  

Desir ed Qualifications:

• Experience working within a Big Data ecosystem, with tools such as Databricks, Spark, etc.
  
• Experience working with open source and publicly available data.
  
• Experienced 'data storyteller,' capable of presenting findings and insights effectively to non-technical audiences.
  
• Experience working on a military staff. Familiarity with federated learning methodologies to support secure collaboration and data sharing across NATO nations while maintaining sovereignty of sensitive datasets.
  
• Knowledge of NATO organization and its functions.
  
• Experience in project management, including agile methods and tools.
  
• Additional language skills, particularly those of NATO partner and member states, are advantageous .
  

Education and Clearance:

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher at a nationally recognized/certified university in Data Science, Data Analytics, AI engineering, or a related discipline such as Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Software Engineering OR four years minimum professional experience in the area of Data Science, including providing analysis and advice in the field of data science, within the last five years.
  
• Active NATO or National SECRET (or higher) security clearance.
  
• Eligibility and past experience working with NATO security clearance requirements to access and process classified or sensitive data.