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Posted: March 17, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Data Scientist

Missile Defense Agency

Department of Defense

Fresh

Location

Salary

$91,870 - $158,322

per year

Closes

March 23, 2026

GS-11 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $62,107 - $80,737

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-10. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 years graduate study.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as a data scientist for the Missile Defense Agency, where you'll build data pipelines to handle large amounts of complex information, apply machine learning to find hidden patterns, and create clear visualizations to explain insights to non-experts.

It's ideal for someone with a background in math, stats, or computer science who enjoys solving tough problems with data in a defense setting.

Good fits include analytical thinkers comfortable with both technical coding and communicating results simply.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
  • One year of specialized experience at GS-11/NH-02 level, including at least 3 of: developing models for problem-solving, data management, assessing stakeholder needs via analytics, database design and modeling, translating results for non-technical audiences, and using data visualization tools
  • Experience designing and implementing data pipelines for acquiring, cleaning, transforming, and engineering features from high-volume, unstructured data
  • Proficiency in applying machine learning algorithms for exploratory data analysis and pattern discovery
  • Ability to create impactful visualizations, charts, graphs, and interactive dashboards
  • Strong skills in data organization, structural relationships, and data dictionaries
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance (implied for DoD role)

Full Job Description

Salary Ranges are the following unless statutory/regulatory rates prevail: For the Redstone Arsenal, AL Location: $93,216 to $144,102 (includes 21.91% locality) For the Fort Belvoir, VA and/or Dahlgren Location: $102,415-$158,322 (includes 33.94% locality).

For the Schriever AFB, CO Location: $91,870 to $142,022 (includes 20.15% locality). You may qualify at the NH-03 Broadband Level, if you fulfill the following qualifications: A.

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-02/GS-11 grade level in the Federal service as listed below and must meet 3 of the 6 specialized experience listed below to be qualified: Conceptualizing, developing, adapting, modifying, and applying new models to resolve difficult problems and to achieve support for alternative solutions within the commercial and government technical community.

Performing data management activities.

Assessing stakeholder requirements, advising and executing on specific courses of action through data visualization and analytics principles, concepts, environments, and applications.

Supporting data management through database design, conceptual and logical data modeling, data organization structures, structural relationships, and data dictionaries/directories.

Translating complex analytical results into a clear, concise, and compelling narrative for non-technical audiences.

Using modern data visualization tools and libraries to create impactful charts, graphs, and interactive dashboards that reveal insights at a glance.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1560, series as listed below: Basic Requirements: Degree: Mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position.

The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position.

OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience.

NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Major Duties:

This position is part of the Department of Defense (DoD), Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

The incumbent will be responsible for: designing, developing, and implementing advanced data pipelines for the acquisition, cleaning, transformation, and feature engineering of complex, high-volume, and unstructured data from dissimilar sources.

Developing and applying advanced computational and machine learning algorithms to conduct exploratory data analysis and uncover novel patterns.

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Acq Demo Business and Technical Management to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

This position is being filled under AcqDemo Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for non-acquisition positions involving 51% or more of time in direct support of acquisition positions within Business and Technical Management Professional Career path.

As a Data Scientist at the NH-1560-3 broadband level, some of your typical work assignments may include: Designing, developing, and implementing advanced data pipelines for the acquisition, cleaning, transformation, and feature engineering of complex, high-volume, and unstructured data from dissimilar sources.

Developing and applying advanced computational and machine learning algorithms to conduct exploratory data analysis and uncover novel patterns, anomalies, and previously unknown vulnerabilities indicative of fraud, waste, and abuse.

Creating and validating predictive models to forecast areas of emerging risk, allowing for proactive fraud prevention and the strategic allocation of oversight resources.

Serving as a technical expert and consultant to auditors and investigators to design and implement data-driven approaches for detecting anomalies and inefficiencies in agency programs and operations.

Leading the design and application of custom analytical models and experiments to test hypotheses, assess program effectiveness, and quantify the impact of potential and implemented policy changes.

Translating complex model outputs and analytical findings into strategic and operational insights for stakeholders at all levels, from senior leadership to program managers.

Developing and maintaining interactive data visualizations, applications, and dashboards to enable self-service analytics and data exploration by non-technical users.

Researching, testing, and validating emerging data science methodologies, computational techniques, and machine learning/AI frameworks to continuously enhance the agency's analytical capabilities.

Developing and prototyping new analytical tools, reusable code libraries, and scalable data products for use across the organization, promoting data literacy and data-informed decision-making.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/17/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/18/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: MDA-26-12908971-DH