Principal Discovery Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

ACTIVE SECURITY CLEARANCE AT THE TS/SCI POLYGRAPH LEVEL IS REQUIRED

We are seeking a Data Scientist / Advanced Discovery Specialist with an analyst, targeteer, or signals intelligence background to join our team supporting critical defense and intelligence customer missions. In this role, you will deliver advanced discovery support by combining machine learning, analytical prototyping, custom scripting, and data visualization with specialized TechSIGINT tools. You will analyze complex datasets, perform statistical analysis, and rapidly build automation workflows and models that uncover hidden patterns and high-value targets.

If you are adaptable, eager to embrace new tools and technologies as mission needs evolve, and passionate about bringing innovative discovery techniques directly to operational users, Team Nyla is where you belong.

The annual base salary range for this role is $152,000-$180,000 (USD) , which does not include discretionary bonus compensation or our comprehensive benefits package. Actual compensation offered to the successful candidate may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, and/or skill level, among other things.

• Targeting Analyst Background: Prior operational experience as an intelligence analyst, targeteer, or discovery specialist with deep familiarity in operational intelligence workflows.

  • Advanced Discovery Machine Learning: Applied experience using machine learning models, statistical analysis, and analytical prototyping to perform operational discovery across complex, high-volume datasets.

  • TechSIGINT Tools: Hands-on experience utilizing specialized TechSIGINT tools, signals analysis suites, and technical data sources for targeting and threat discovery.

  • Scripting Automation: Strong practical programming skills in Python or R for custom tool development, rapid prototyping, workflow automation, and data parsing.

  • Data Visualization: Proficiency in creating dynamic data visualizations and dashboards to communicate complex statistical trends and discovery leads to non-technical stakeholders.

  • Adaptability: Demonstrated ability to quickly learn, adapt to, and integrate emerging software tools, techniques, and technologies into ongoing operational workflows.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Computational Linguistics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline, PLUS 7+ years of professional experience in data science, NLP, or software engineering OR  Master’s Degree in a related field, PLUS 5+ years of relevant professional experience OR  High School Diploma / GED , PLUS 11+ years of specialized technical experience in lieu of a degree.

Big Data Analytics: Experience working with distributed data frameworks (e.g., Apache Spark, Hadoop) and cloud-native analytics platforms.

Database Query Languages: Advanced proficiency in SQL and NoSQL databases for complex querying and data preparation.

Graph Network Analysis: Familiarity with graph analytics, link analysis, and network visualizers (e.g., Gephi, NetworkX, Maltego, Palantir).

Jupyter Notebook Prototyping: Extensive experience rapidly prototyping analytical models in Jupyter Notebooks or interactive data science environments.

Nyla Technology Solutions delivers exceptional Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and Software Engineering services for the U.S. Government. Nyla embraces a forward-thinking and bold approach at every turn,  earning us a solid reputation of technical trendsetters within the industry. We have a passion for developing solutions that have a quick and immediate impact on mission. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, our customers love how we tackle their most challenging problems and get things done.

If you have the unique experience and expertise we are seeking, along with the desire and determination to invest your time and energy as a part of Nyla’s team, 

Taking Care of All of You

Nyla provides a top-of-market compensation and benefits package. And through our unique Nyla FLEX program, we custom tailor these benefits to best fit your lifestyle. 

The Nyla FLEX benefit program is designed to offer you flexibility in the 3 biggest areas of your life: your pay, your leave, and your schedule. 

PAY - Nyla starts with 4 weeks of Annual Leave plus 11 holidays and an additional day of Annual Leave for each year you’re at the company. You have the flexibility to cash out your annual leave hours, opt out of other Nyla benefits, and/or arrange for additional hours on contract* (over 40 hrs/week). There’s even an option to earn 1.3 times your hourly rate once you work over 1880 hours on contract!

LEAVE - Want to spend more time with the family? Want more time to travel the world? You can BUY additional annual leave for a total of 6 weeks of annual leave. That’s up to 240 hours of leave plus 11 holidays! That’s not even including paid anniversary leave!

SCHEDULE - Does the traditional 40-hour workweek no longer fit your lifestyle? With Nyla FLEX, you have the freedom to scale down to 30-32 hours while still enjoying the top-notch Nyla benefits you know and love. It's flexibility that works for you without compromising the perks!

WHAT ABOUT OTHER BENEFITS?  Nyla’s health care (medical, dental, and vision) is 100% covered by the company. We provide 10% 401k matching - with full vesting day 1! Our Professional Development offers $5,000 per year to be used towards fees, tuition, or time off for your continued growth. We even have a student loan repayment program and we provide 8 hours of volunteering annually so you can support your community, making your world a better place.  

To learn more about Nyla's culture and our exceptional benefit packages click here.

Nyla is an equal opportunity employer.