About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Defense & Space.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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What You’ll Do

The Confidential Client is seeking a Senior Data Scientist (AI/ML) to support Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO). You will apply statistical and machine‑learning techniques to mission data, produce reusable analytic products, and deliver actionable intelligence to analysts and decision‑makers.

• Apply statistical and ML approaches to intelligence and DCO problems.
• Engineer and transform features; build and optimize classifiers and anomaly‑detection systems.
• Automate analytic workflows and develop reusable analytic products for analysts.
• Curate, extract, transform, and load data from traditional and non‑traditional sources into accessible stores.
• Collaborate with engineers to implement validated models in production and set up model‑performance monitoring.
• Interpret results with analysts and communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Document processes, models, and configuration‑management plans.
• Research and recommend emerging data‑science tradecraft and technologies.

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Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with polygraph required for consideration.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus 8 years’ experience (or advanced degree with commensurate experience). (Master’s + 4 years acceptable.)
• 3+ years of Defensive Cyber Operations experience.
• 3+ years applying machine‑learning techniques and performing statistical model evaluation.
• Proficiency in Python or R and SQL for data manipulation and analysis.
• Experience with model engineering, validation, and production handoff.
• Familiarity with AWS, Cisco/CCNA, STIGs/IAVA, and/or Big Data Platform (BDP).

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Preferred / Desired Skills

• Strong Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, RHEL), Windows, and virtual environment skills.
• Experience with Jupyter Notebooks, network analysis tools, and independent problem solving.
• Familiarity with automated model monitoring and analytic workflow automation.
• Clear technical writing and documentation skills for operational environments.

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Clearance & Employment Type

• Minimum clearance required: Active TS/SCI with polygraph.
• Employment type: Contractor.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Starting salary: $160,000+ (listed by the confidential client).
• Bonus potential.
• 401(k) match (example listed: 10%).
• Paid time off (example listed: 24 PTO days, 13 holidays).
• Medical benefits (example listed: 100% employee coverage, 80% dependent coverage; company HSA contribution noted).

Note: Benefits and exact compensation structure are determined by the confidential client and may vary.

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Why Join the Confidential Client

• Work at the intersection of AI/ML and mission‑critical defensive cyber operations.
• Collaborate directly with analysts, engineers, and decision makers on high‑impact intelligence challenges.
• Take technical ownership in a fast‑paced, growth‑oriented environment.

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Skills & Tools / Keywords

• Data Scientist, AI/ML, Defensive Cyber Operations, Columbia MD
• Python, R, SQL, Jupyter Notebooks
• Machine learning, anomaly detection, model evaluation, feature engineering
• AWS, Linux, Cisco/CCNA, STIGs/IAVA, Big Data Platform (BDP)

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.