Senior Data Scientist; Public Trust Security Clearance

Position: Senior Data Scientist (Public Trust) with Security Clearance
Location:

Bethesda, MD (Hybrid) Clearance:
Public Trust (Role may require additional background investigations)

Employment Type:

Full-Time US Citizenship is Required

Position Overview:

Praescient Analytics is seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Scientist for support on a major federal data and analytics modernization program. This role leads the design, development, evaluation, and operationalization of advanced statistical, machine learning, and AI-driven analytics that directly support mission-critical decision-making in a regulated government environment. The Senior Data Scientist plays a central role in advancing predictive analytics, real-time hazard detection, semantic analysis, and AI-enabled insight generation, working across large-scale structured and unstructured datasets.

This position supports the federal client's transition to a cloud-native, open-source analytics ecosystem and contributes directly to improving speed, accuracy, and effectiveness of mission outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

* Design, develop, and deploy advanced statistical, machine learning, and AI models to support predictive analytics, anomaly detection, classification, regression, and clustering.
* Apply supervised and unsupervised learning techniques, including NLP and semantic analysis, to extract insights from structured and unstructured data sources.
* Conduct rigorous model evaluation using metrics such as precision, recall, F1-score, AUC, and other performance and fairness indicators.
* Assess model robustness, bias, explainability, and suitability for use in high-impact decision-making environments.
* Perform advanced exploratory data analysis (EDA) to identify patterns, anomalies, and relationships across diverse datasets.
* Develop compelling data stories that communicate complex analytical results to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
* Create dashboards, visualizations, and analytic products using Power BI or equivalent tools to support decision-making and executive briefings.
* Work closely with data engineers, AI/ML engineers, analysts, architects, and Agile project managers in an iterative delivery environment.
* Contribute to Agile ceremonies, backlog refinement, sprint planning, and retrospectives.
* Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to shared analytical standards and best practices.

Required Qualifications:

Experience
* Minimum of 8+ years of hands-on experience developing advanced statistical and AI/ML models in production or mission-critical environments.
* Demonstrated experience building predictive, classification, NLP, and anomaly detection models.
* Proven ability to work with large, complex, and diverse datasets. Technical Skills
* Strong proficiency in Python, including libraries such as Pandas, Num Py, Scikit-learn, and deep learning frameworks (PyTorch and/or Tensor Flow).
* Experience using SQL for data extraction, transformation, and analysis.
* Hands-on experience in cloud-based analytics environments, preferably Microsoft Azure.
* Experience developing dashboards and analytic visualizations (Power BI or equivalent).
* Familiarity with Git-based version control and collaborative development workflows. Communication & Leadership
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to translate complex analytical concepts into clear, decision-ready insights.
* Proven ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional and Agile teams. Clearance:
Minimum of a Public Trust (U.S. Citizenship is Required)

Preferred Qualifications
* Master's or Ph.D. in Data Science, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field - or equivalent professional experience.
* Experience supporting federal, public-sector, or regulated environments.
* Familiarity with responsible AI frameworks, model governance, and ethical AI principles.
* Experience working with real-time or near-real-time analytics pipelines.
* Azure certifications (Data Scientist, AI Engineer, or related) are a plus. What you can expect from us:
* Real opportunity for career growth in an environment where your achievements will be celebrated
* Constant collaboration with numerous teams to ensure client success
* A team that respects and embraces your ideas and expertise
* Coworkers that are motivated by pursuing excellence, rather than the prospect of personal gain
* A workplace dedicated to supporting and bettering public safety and government agencies Benefits:
* Very competitive salary based on qualifications and experience
* Comprehensive, Company paid healthcare for you (We pay your premiums and deductibles)
* 401(k) with company match
* Travel & performance incentives
* 3 weeks paid time off (plus Federal Holidays) * $5K annual training allowance * $500 book allowance Praescient Analytics is a Certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) with over a decade of expertise in advanced analytics, engineering, and Dev Ops, specializing in transforming complex data into actionable intelligence for…