Data Scientist Development Program; DSDP

As a senior-level data scientist role at the National Security Agency, this position may include enrollment in the three-year Data Science Development Program. The work focuses on solving complex data problems using big data, high-performance computing, machine learning, and related data science methods to support foreign intelligence and cybersecurity missions.

Fort Meade, MD (onsite)

USD 87, per year (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance, Senior, Expert)

Through this development track, selectees engage in advanced data science activities that support mission requirements. The program emphasizes analytic modeling, dataset development, and collaborative execution across the data science lifecycle.

• Explore data analysis and model-fitting to uncover data features of interest
• Apply machine-learned predictive modeling
• Construct usable datasets from multiple sources to meet customer needs
• Identify and analyze anomalous data, including metadata
• Develop conceptual design and models to address mission requirements
• Create qualitative and quantitative methods for characterizing datasets across different states
• Perform analytic modeling, scripting, and or programming
• Work collaboratively and iteratively across the data science lifecycle
• Design and develop analytics and techniques for analysis
• Analyze data using mathematical and statistical methods
• Evaluate, document, and communicate research processes, analyses, and results to customers, peers, and leadership
• Create interpretable visualizations

• Desire for continual learning
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Accountable, proactive, and detail oriented working style
• Ability to solve complex problems and make analytic determinations using critical thinking and reasoning
• Effectiveness in collaborative team environments
• Capability to bridge technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to provide technical leadership

Applicants are required to complete the Data Science Examination (DSE), which assesses knowledge of statistics, mathematics, and computer science topics relevant to data science work. Passing the exam at a local testing site is required to be considered for selection into a data scientist position.

• Degrees in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Applied Statistics, Data Science, Operations Research, Quantitative/Computational Finance, Econometrics/Quantitative Economics, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering qualify without additional coursework requirements
• Degrees in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Biology/Bioinformatics, Life Sciences, Environmental Science, Data Analytics, or Information Science/Systems/Technology must include either a Data Science certificate from an accredited college or university or 5 or more courses in advanced mathematics and/or advanced computer science (examples include calculus, differential equations, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, calculus-based statistics, algorithms, programming, data structures, computer architecture, data mining, and super intelligence)
• Other degrees must be accompanied by a Data Science certificate from an accredited college/university and include 5 or more courses in advanced mathematics and advanced computer science
• At least one course must be from advanced mathematics (examples include calculus, differential equations, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, and calculus-based statistics)
• At least one course must be from advanced computer science (examples include algorithms, programming, data structures, computer architecture, data mining, super intelligence)

• Entry
  :
  Associate's degree plus 2 years relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree with no experience
  , or Master's degree with no experience
• Full Performance
  :
  Associate's degree plus 5 years relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree plus 3 years
  , or Master's degree plus 1 year
  , or Doctoral degree with no experience
• Senior
  :
  Associate's degree plus 8 years relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree plus 6 years
  , or Master's degree plus 4 years
  , or Doctoral degree plus 2 years
• Expert
  :
  Associate's degree plus 11 years relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree plus 9 years
  , or Master's degree plus 7 years
  , or Doctoral degree plus 5 years

Relevant experience must include work in one or more of the following areas: designing and…