The Leidos Digital Modernization Sector is seeking a highly motivated Lead Data Scientist; this position will allow for full time telework from any U.S. based location.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Leidos Chief Data & Analytics Office (CDAO) is a new, high-growth organization at the center of the company's technology strategy. Our Operational AI (Ops.AI) division is seeking an experienced and innovative Lead Data Scientist to drive the delivery of high-impact data science solutions. This role is essential for translating complex business challenges into data-driven insights that improve mission-critical outcomes. This is an exciting opportunity to leverage your experience to solve complex problems and optimize decision-making in dynamic environments.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Lead Data Scientist will guide a team of data scientists and analysts in the development and deployment of advanced analytical models and AI solutions. This individual will act as a technical leader and a key bridge between our data science team and business stakeholders, ensuring that our projects are technically sound, strategically aligned, and deliver measurable value. This position is key to leveraging data science to solve complex problems and accelerate innovation across Leidos.
- Project Leadership: Lead the end-to-end execution of data science projects, from problem formulation and data exploration to model development, validation, and deployment.
- Technical Mentorship: Provide technical mentorship and guidance to data scientists on advanced analytics, machine learning techniques, and best practices.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business needs, define project scope, and translate requirements into data science tasks.
- Advanced Analytics Application: Drive the application of advanced techniques, including prescriptive analytics, scenario modeling, and data-to-insight transformation.
- Quality & Rigor: Ensure the quality, rigor, and scalability of data science solutions, adhering to trusted and responsible AI principles.
- Insight Communication: Communicate complex analytical findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences to drive decision-making.
- Innovation: Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science and machine learning, and champion their adoption within the team.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field with 12+ years of applicable experience; additional years of experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.
- Proven experience leading data science projects from conception to production.
- Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R and experience with common data science libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, pandas, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
- Demonstrated expertise in machine learning, statistical modeling, and data analysis.
- This position offers flexibility for remote or hybrid work arrangements.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience in the national security, health, or engineering domains.
- Experience with Generative AI, including LLMs and RAG architectures.
- Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud-based data science platforms.
- Strong project management and leadership skills.
- A portfolio of completed data science projects or contributions to open-source projects.
Come break things (in a good way). Then build them smarter.
We're the tech company everyone calls when things get weird. We don’t wear capes (they’re a safety hazard), but we do solve high-stakes problems with code, caffeine, and a healthy disregard for “how it’s always been done.”
Original Posting:October 10, 2025For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
Top Skills
What We Do
We Are Leidos
For 50 years we have been tackling some of the biggest problems that face our nation and our world.
OUR MISSION
Through our culture of innovation and history of performance, we develop deep customer trust built on integrity and create enduring solutions that improve our world. Leidos is a science and technology solutions leader working to address some of the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and healthcare markets. The company’s 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $11.09 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2020.
Leidos was cited for the meaningful work employees perform that is challenging, impactful, and aligned with our customers’ missions as reasons professionals want to work and stay at our company. Leidos has also been named to lists including Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, and Ethisphere Institute’s World's Most Ethical Companies®.
Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors and talented colleagues and customers. Employees appreciate our flexible work environment, allowing for and encouraging a true work-life balance. Our professionals are also excited about our Employee Resource Groups, like the newly launched Collaborative Outreach with Remote and Embedded Employees (CORE), which strives to create an environment where every employee, regardless of location, feels fully engaged as a valued employee of Leidos.
Your most important work is ahead.
