Lead Data Scientist

ResponsibilitiesPeraton is seeking an experience Lead Data Scientist to join our team of qualified and diverse individuals. This position supports our customer as part of an application transformation and modernization initiative. This program is driving a large-scale transformation of systems into a data-centric, cloud-native ecosystem capable of supporting high-volume, near real-time data processing and advanced analytics. The work includes modernization of legacy applications, development of new cloud-native solutions, and implementation of DevSecOps and scaled Agile practices across the organization.As a Lead Data Scientist at Peraton, you will define and drive enterprise data science and AI/ML strategy across a large-scale federal modernization program.You will lead efforts spanning advanced analytics, machine learning, MLOps, AI governance, and operational analytics integration across complex enterprise systems. This role requires close collaboration with data engineering, architecture, application development, and operational teams to ensure AI/ML capabilities are production-ready, scalable, explainable, and integrated into enterprise workflows.You will operate at both strategic and hands-on levels guiding technical direction, developing advanced models, and ensuring analytics solutions deliver measurable mission impact. Location: Suitland, MD (Hybrid)Day to Day Roles and ResponsibilitiesProvide technical leadership across enterprise data science and AI/ML initiatives within a large-scale modernization program Design, develop, validate, deploy, monitor, and scale machine learning and advanced analytics solutions in production environments Lead implementation of MLOps practices supporting model lifecycle management, automation, observability, and continuous improvement Apply advanced data science techniques including NLP, LLMs, deep learning, reinforcement learning, anomaly detection, and time series analysis Design and support event-driven analytics and real-time/streaming ML pipelines Collaborate with data engineers, architects, application teams, and SMEs to integrate AI/ML capabilities into enterprise systems and operational workflows Support system-of-systems (SoS) integrations across multiple systems, vendors, contractors, and interdependent platforms Establish AI governance frameworks supporting fairness, bias mitigation, explainability, transparency, and compliance with standards such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework Develop reproducible analytics workflows, technical documentation, analysis plans, dashboards, and reporting deliverables Support DataOps and Agile data science practices including iterative development, pipeline automation, CI/CD integration, and collaborative model delivery Ensure analytics solutions align with enterprise security, privacy, and compliance requirements Drive improvements in data quality, validation, accessibility, and operational analytics reliability Present findings, recommendations, and technical approaches to executive leadership and stakeholders Mentor data scientists and analytics teams while promoting best practices across the organizationQualificationsBasic Qualifications:Bachelors degree and 16 years of experience or an Associates degree and 18 years of experience or a High School diploma/equivalent and 20 years of experience.Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance15+ years of experience in data science, AI/ML, advanced analytics, or enterprise modernization initiativesProven experience leading AI/ML and analytics efforts across large-scale, complex systemsDeep expertise in machine learning, statistical modeling, and advanced analytics techniquesExperience implementing end-to-end MLOps pipelines including model training, validation, deployment, monitoring, and scalingExperience with NLP, LLMs, deep learning, reinforcement learning, anomaly detection, and time series analyticsExperience designing and supporting real-time or streaming analytics architecturesExperience integrating AI/ML solutions across system-of-systems (SoS) environments and distributed enterprise platformsExperience implementing AI governance frameworks addressing explainability, fairness, transparency, and bias mitigationExperience with large-scale distributed data environments and cloud-native analytics platformsExperience with DataOps, CI/CD integration, and Agile/SAFe delivery modelsStrong experience with Python, R, Spark, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Databricks, and related AI/ML technologiesExperience developing dashboards, technical reports, analysis plans, and reproducible analytics workflowsExperience collaborating across engineering, architecture, application, and operational teams at enterprise scalePreferred Qualifications:PhD is highly preferred in related technical fieldExperience supporting statistical and similarly large-scale federal modernization programsExperience implementing enterprise AI governance or responsible AI initiativesExperience with event-driven architectures, streaming analytics, or operational AI systemsExperience supporting large-scale data modernization or enterprise analytics transformation effortsExperience working within DevSecOps-enabled AI/ML delivery environmentsPeraton OverviewPeraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.Target Salary Range$146,000 - $234,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Job SummaryRequisition ID: 2026-170938Position Category: Scientific, Research & AnalysisClearance: Public Trust