Data Scientist

Job Title: Data Scientist (Contract) Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid – 1 day/week on-site currently; 4–5 days if requested) About The Company We support a large-scale federal agency dedicated to advancing economic growth, technological innovation, and sustainable development Job Summary We are looking for a Data Scientist on a contract basis in Washington, DC. The ideal candidate is an experienced and driven professional with a strong background in statistical analysis, machine learning, and data engineering. This client-facing role involves designing and delivering complex data science solutions while effectively collaborating with cross-functional teams. U.S. Citizenship is required due to federal security requirements. Key Responsibilities • Build full data pipelines from ingestion to processing, transformation, and visualization. • Develop predictive models using ML and NLP techniques, including LLMs and RAG frameworks. • Design simulations and decision models for complex business problems. • Use cloud services (AWS/Azure) to process structured/unstructured data and create vector embeddings. • Conduct advanced NLP analysis such as sentiment analysis, topic modeling, and text classification. • Acquire and integrate new data sources via APIs, web scraping, and secure file transfers. • Translate data insights into clear visualizations and presentations for technical and non-technical stakeholders. • Contribute to business development through proposal writing, capture support, and client engagement. • Stay current on emerging tools and techniques in AI and data science to support technical innovation. Requirements • Education: Advanced degree in Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field. • Experience: 5+ years in data science/analytics, 3+ years Python (NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn), 2+ years in AWS or Azure. • Skills: Strong SQL, experience with large datasets (time-series, cross-sectional), and modern NLP methods. • Certifications: Must pass Public Trust clearance with the Department of Commerce. • Other: • Must be a U.S. Citizen • Must be comfortable with contract roles with potential extension or hire. • Able to commute to DC office as needed. Preferred Qualifications • Experience with search-based text applications, embeddings, and vector search. • Familiarity with deploying AI solutions into production environments. • Prior experience supporting government contracts or proposals.