Chief Data Scientist, Cost

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Act as the senior technical authority across all assignments.

• Provide technical supervision of pipeline designs, analytical approaches, deployed products, and subcontractor technical activities.

• Function as the enterprise architect for the customer's cloud cost data environment.

• Take ownership of architectural decisions, technology stack suggestions, and platform advancements.

• Approve contractor-level decisions within a structured government decision framework.

• Manage experimental design, statistical governance, model selection policies, validation standards, and reproducibility benchmarks.

• Assess where machine learning is suitable compared to transparent parametric methods.

• Document sample size and data quality requirements for analytical techniques.

• Identify and deliver technology insertion suggestions to the customer.

• Counsel the customer on anticipated benefits, impacts on pipeline and products, effort levels, and associated risks.

• Act as the primary strategic advisor to the customer technical director.

• Collaborate with the program manager to detect adoption obstacles and incorporate products into cost estimating processes.

• Ensure the quality of technical content, uniformity, and compliance across all tasks.

• Write or endorse technical research reports.

• Propel research and development efforts in machine learning and artificial intelligence.

• Convert complex analytical findings into actionable recommendations for decision-makers.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree from an accredited institution.

• At least ten years of experience as a data scientist.

• Minimum of five years in cost estimating or cost analysis.

• At least five years managing projects of similar scope.

• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams comprising data scientists, data engineers, and data or cost analysts.

• Experience in defining a data strategy that aligns with organizational objectives.

• Demonstrated proficiency in integrating advanced data science capabilities with existing processes and technologies.

• Proven track record of driving research and development projects in machine learning and artificial intelligence.

• Knowledge and experience in cost estimating and analysis for major defense systems.

• Familiarity with typical work breakdown structures and standard cost data, including cost and software data reporting, operating and support data, earned value data, selected acquisition reports, and budget data.

• Documented experience in developing cost estimating relationships and conducting analogy estimating.

• Exceptional communication skills, particularly in translating complex analytical results into actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders.

• Active Secret clearance required at the time of hire.

• United States citizenship is mandatory.

• Advanced degree in a quantitative discipline is highly desirable.

• Doctorate in statistics, operations research, economics, engineering, or a related quantitative field is preferred.

• A published research record in cost estimating, applied statistics, or machine learning is advantageous.

• Experience with Databricks, Apache Spark, Python, R, and SQL in a governed cloud environment is preferred.

• Prior support for a service cost agency, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, or a major defense acquisition program office is preferred.

• Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility is strongly preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive nationwide Medical/Dental/Vision insurance programs.

• Life insurance coverage.

• Matching 401k contributions.

• Educational and training support.

• Competitive compensation packages.