NextGen Federal Systems is seeking a detail-oriented Mid-Level Data Labeling Specialist to support Artificial Intelligence Operations (AIOPS) initiatives within the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) environment. This role will focus on preparing, annotating, categorizing, and validating structured and unstructured data for use within existing AI platforms and operational applications.
AIOPS supports the operational adoption and use of AI-enabled capabilities across NGC2. Accurate, consistently organized, and traceable data helps ensure these existing platforms can effectively support operational workflows and user requirements.
The ideal candidate will have practical experience in data annotation, data quality assurance, and dataset organization, with the ability to apply defined labeling standards independently. This role requires collaboration with technical personnel, functional subject matter experts, and government stakeholders to clarify data requirements and resolve quality issues.
Key Responsibilities
- Annotate and classify operational datasets, including specific modalities, using approved taxonomies, metadata standards, and task-specific instructions.
- Prepare and organize labeled datasets for use within existing AI platforms and applications.
- Review annotations for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and adherence to approved labeling conventions.
- Identify, document, and resolve data discrepancies, ambiguous records, duplicate entries, and inconsistent labels; elevate unresolved cases to appropriate subject matter experts.
- Coordinate with technical teams and functional subject matter experts to clarify labeling criteria and data interpretation.
- Perform first and second-pass quality reviews using defined sampling plans, acceptance criteria, and annotation-agreement measures; document findings and complete required rework.
- Maintain data labeling records, change history, quality findings, and supporting documentation to preserve traceability.
- Support the refinement of annotation instructions, review checklists, and repeatable data quality workflows.
- Handle data in accordance with applicable government security, access, and information management requirements.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Data Analytics, Computer Science, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- 3–5 years of relevant experience in data labeling, data annotation, data quality assurance, data management, or comparable data operations.
- Demonstrated experience reviewing, categorizing, and validating structured or unstructured datasets.
- Ability to apply labeling guidelines, metadata conventions, and documented quality standards consistently.
- Experience identifying data discrepancies and documenting corrective actions.
- Proficiency with spreadsheet applications and common data organization tools.
- Strong attention to detail, analytical judgment, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently while coordinating with technical teams and nontechnical subject matter experts.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Active Security Clearance Required: Secret or higher
Desired Qualifications
- Experience supporting DoD or other government data operations programs.
- Familiarity with data annotation or labeling platforms such as Label Studio, CVAT, or comparable tools.
- Experience preparing data for use in existing AI-enabled applications or operational analytics platforms.
- Familiarity with metadata management, controlled vocabulary, taxonomies, and dataset versioning.
- Experience with quality sampling, annotation agreement checks, and repeatable data review processes.
- Familiarity with CSV, JSON, SQL, or other common data formats and query tools.
- Experience working in controlled-access or secure government computing environments.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Data Analytics, Computer Science, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- 3-5 years of relevant experience in data labeling, data annotation, data quality assurance, data management, or comparable data operations.
- Experience reviewing, categorizing, and validating structured or unstructured datasets.
- Ability to consistently apply labeling guidelines, metadata conventions, and documented quality standards.
- Experience identifying data discrepancies and documenting corrective actions.
- Proficiency with spreadsheet applications and common data organization tools.
- Strong attention to detail, analytical judgment, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently while coordinating with technical teams and nontechnical subject matter experts.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Active Secret or higher security clearance.
- Experience supporting DoD or other government data operations programs.
- Familiarity with data annotation or labeling platforms such as Label Studio or CVAT.
- Experience preparing data for AI-enabled applications or operational analytics platforms.
- Familiarity with metadata management, controlled vocabularies, taxonomies, and dataset versioning.
- Experience with quality sampling, annotation agreement checks, and repeatable data review processes.
- Familiarity with CSV, JSON, SQL, or other common data formats and query tools.
- Experience working in controlled-access or secure government computing environments.
What We Do
NextGen is an award-winning IT solutions and services provider. NextGen is a fast-growing company that employs agile and mature processes in areas of innovation, research and development, program management, systems engineering, and technology commercialization. Current customers include the Department of Defense, Federal Government, and commercial companies. NextGen utilizes a mixed model consisting of Services and Solution Development in support of customer goals. Our core areas of expertise include Software Development, Research and Development, Enterprise IT Systems Engineering, and Cyber Security & Data Management. NextGen obtained ISO 9001 certification and achieved CMMI-DEV and CMMI-SVC Level 3 appraisal. Recent and steady growth led to our recognition by INC 5000 as the 211th (2016), 440th (2017), 1096th (2018), 1703rd (2019), and 2437th (2020) fastest-growing company in the US and 19th fastest growing IT Services Company in the US. NextGen has offices near Aberdeen, MD; Ft. Meade, MD; Dayton, OH; O’Fallon, IL, and Morgantown, WV. We understand the paradigm shift of doing more with less; developing, operating, and supporting complex systems and missions while keeping pace with changing technologies; and providing high-quality working solutions to analysts and warfighters supporting the Federal Government. We aggressively manage internal costs to ensure competitive salaries for top talent while ensuring cost-effective delivery to our customers. As the demand for quality increases, NextGen is well-positioned to tackle the most intricate challenges facing the defense and intelligence communities today.
