Senior Data Scientist

Senior Data ScientistThe imagery that supports the Government's AI model evaluation program doesn't move itself. It has to be ingested, standardized, transformed, and routed across security domains with precision — and that requires a data engineer who can build the backend that makes it all work. As a Senior Data Scientist on this program, you'll own the data architecture and pipeline infrastructure that enables the accreditation pipeline to run: building ETL workflows, managing database schemas, and solving the cross-domain data problems that stand between an AI model and its accreditation clearance.Role OverviewAs a Senior Data Scientist on the program, you support the maintenance and implementation of the data architecture that enables the program to store, process, and move imagery data across security domains and systems. Working alongside imagery scientists and the government customer team, you'll build and sustain the pipelines and database infrastructure needed to ingest emergent sensor data, apply ETL transformations to standardize it for labeling and model testing, and move it between platforms via API. You'll bring deep database and cloud architecture experience, strong programming skills, and the ability to work within classified government IT environments. This is a SCIF-based role performed at a contractor facility.Source-Derived Role SummaryThe Data Scientist shall support the maintenance and implementation of the data architecture for all Program data. This position requires experience with databases, cloud architectures, and compliance with data standards. This position is responsible for maintaining data backend workflows that allow for the movement of data across security domains and across systems.A Day in the LifeBuild and maintain database tables, schemas, and health alerts for emergent sensor data; set up ETL pipelines to ingest, transform, and load new imagery data in alignment with government schemas and governance requirementsDevelop API-based workflows to enable data movement between platforms as directed by the government; assess metadata, format, and schema differences when integrating new sensors into the existing data operations pipelineDetermine pre-processing and standardization approaches for new sensor data — file format conversions, geospatial tiling (chipping), orthorectification, and other data transformations needed for labeling and model testingMonitor data health and pipeline availability; address issues that could block imagery delivery to the accreditation testing pipelineEnsure all sensor data adheres to government-directed schemas, formats, and governance requirements; maintain documentation and standards compliance throughout the pipelineAvailable during core business hours (10am–2pm EST) to coordinate with imagery scientists and the government customer on data architecture and pipeline questionsWhy This Role MattersMission Impactprogram cannot run AI model evaluation and testing testing without properly formatted, schema-compliant imagery data that has been moved securely across the domains where it needs to live. Your pipeline work is the infrastructure that connects imagery identification to model testing — and when it works, AI models get accredited and cleared for operational use.Geo Owl ImpactYour engineering reliability is a Key Position deliverable on this program. Your work sustains Geo Owl's technical standing on program and demonstrates the data capability that makes us a credible partner on this contract.Your GrowthYou'll develop deep expertise in classified government cloud and data pipeline environments — including cross-domain data solutions, enterprise data platforms and MLOps technologies, and AI/ML-ready data infrastructure — in a program context where data engineering directly enables national security outcomes.Core ResponsibilitiesBuild and maintain database infrastructure (tables, schemas, health alerts, ETL pipelines) to store and process emergent sensor data in support of program AI model evaluation and testingDevelop API-based workflows to enable data movement between platforms across security domains as directed by the governmentEnsure all sensor data adheres to government-directed data schemas, formats, and governance requirements throughout the pipelineAssess metadata, format, and data structure differences for new sensors; adapt ETL processes, schemas, and APIs accordingly to enable clean ingestion into the existing data operations pipelineDetermine pre-processing and standardization requirements for new sensor data — file format conversion, tiling/chipping to specified geospatial bounds, orthorectification, and other data transformations required for labeling and model testingMaintain pipeline reliability and data availability across program's operational environment; respond to data health issues that could block the accreditation testing workflowRequired QualificationsActive TS/SCI clearance with eligibility for SI/TK/G/HCS/NATO access; CI polygraph required or willingness to obtainMinimum 10 experience points required (see experience point calculation below)4+ years of experience working with SQL or NoSQL databases and cloud architecturesExperience leveraging APIs to query systems and migrate dataExperience with programming languages including Python, JavaScript, or JavaExperience developing and sustaining operational data pipelines supporting multiple data formats and interfacesExcellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both lay and expert audiencesPreferred QualificationsExperience with government enterprise technologies, authorization processes, and secure government system access managementExperience implementing processes and tools within an organization using the Scaled Agile Framework for Enterprise (SAFe)Experience developing dynamic visualizations to monitor pipeline availability, currency, and volumetricsExperience Point RequirementThis is a Senior-level (Level 4) position requiring a minimum of 10 experience points. Points are calculated as follows:Education: Associate's = 2 pts · Bachelor's = 3 pts · Master's = +2 pts · PhD = +3 ptsProfessional / Military Experience: 1 pt per year of relevant experienceCertifications: 0.5 pts eachSpecialized Training: 0.25 pts per relevant courseProfessional Impact (publications, presentations, patents): up to 3 pts totalTools, Technologies & TradecraftPython JavaScript / Java SQL NoSQL Cloud Architecture REST APIs ETL Pipelines Geospatial Data Formats Orthorectification / Chipping Government Enterprise Technologies [Preferred] SAFe [Preferred]What Makes Someone Successful in This RoleYou're fluent across the data stack — schema design, API development, ETL orchestration, and cross-domain data movement feel like one integrated problem to you, not separate tracksYou navigate classified environments with precision — you understand that government system access credentials and ATO requirements, and security domain constraints aren't overhead, they're the architectureYou can assess a new sensor's metadata and schema against an existing pipeline and tell the team exactly what needs to change before the first data arrivesYou take governance seriously — you understand that non-compliant data in the accreditation pipeline produces unreliable test results, and you prevent it at the ETL layerYou communicate your engineering decisions clearly — you can explain a schema change or a pipeline failure to imagery scientists and program managers who don't speak SQLIs This Role For You?Great FitYou are a data engineer who thrives in structured, high-compliance classified environments and wants your pipeline work to matter at the national security level. You have experience with government cloud infrastructure or cross-domain data solutions and are energized by the challenge of keeping complex, multi-sensor data operations running in a SCIF-based environment.May Not Be For YouThis may not be the right fit if you prefer rapid-iteration commercial cloud environments without classified IT constraints, or if working from a certified contractor SCIF rather than remotely from home is not compatible with your situation.Career Growth & Professional ValueThis role builds deep expertise in geospatial data engineering within a classified government environment — including cross-domain data solutions, enterprise data platforms, and AI/ML-ready pipeline architecture. Experience maintaining data infrastructure for a government AI model evaluation program that spans multiple computer vision programs (multiple AI/ML programs) is a highly differentiated credential for data engineers pursuing senior or architect-level roles in the defense and intelligence community.Benefits:Health Insurance (Geo Owl pays 80%+ of the premium).401k matching.Dental, Vision, and other supplemental insurance plans available.Company-paid short-term and