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Behavior Scientist Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Steampunk

AI Evaluation Scientist

Mclean, VA · On-site

$105K - $145K/yr

The AI Evaluation Scientist will work closely with engineers, data scientists, governance analysts ... Perform structured error analysis and behavioral audits of LLMs, retrieval-augmented generation ...

Amazon

Sr. Research Scientist, AWS Security

Herndon, VA · On-site

$101K - $129K/yr

In this role, you will design and conduct large-scale research studies-leveraging advanced statistical modeling, survey research, and behavioral science-to surface actionable insights. Key job ...

BLN24

Social Science Research Lead

Mclean, VA · On-site

This position provides subject matter expertise, scientific leadership, and programmatic support for social, behavioral, and economic sciences (SBES) research that advances NOAA's ability to ...

Steampunk

Data Scientist (Generative AI)

Mclean, VA

Design experiments to evaluate generative model behavior (e.g., hallucination rates, factuality ... Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science/statistics, information systems, engineering ...

Leidos

Data Scientist

Bethesda, MD

Are you a Data Scientist that likes to perform research-level data analytics and are willing to ... behavior and more. * Support multiple simultaneous projects and take open-ended or high-level ...

BLN24

Social Science Research Lead

Mclean, VA · On-site

This position provides subject matter expertise, scientific leadership, and programmatic support for social, behavioral, and economic sciences (SBES) research that advances NOAA's ability to ...

Leidos

Data Scientist

Bethesda, MD · On-site

Are you a Data Scientist that likes to perform research-level data analytics and are willing to ... behavior and more. * Support multiple simultaneous projects and take open-ended or high-level ...

QxBranch

Data Scientist QxBranch

Washington, DC · On-site

... deep learning, behavioral analysis, causal analysis * Strong data visualization and data ... Experience with Dataiku's Data Science Studio Additional Information QxBranch is committed to ...

QxBranch

Data Scientist QxBranch

Washington, DC · On-site

... deep learning, behavioral analysis, causal analysis * Strong data visualization and data ... Experience with Dataiku's Data Science Studio Additional Information QxBranch is committed to ...

Guidehouse

AI/ML Data Scientist

Arlington, VA

Data Science Consulting Travel Required: Up to 25% Clearance Required: Ability to Obtain Public ... anomalous behavior, patterns, or suspicious activity. * Familiarity with law enforcement ...

Steampunk

Data Scientist (Generative AI)

Mclean, VA · On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

Design experiments to evaluate generative model behavior (e.g., hallucination rates, factuality ... Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science/statistics, information systems, engineering ...

Guidehouse

AI/ML Data Scientist

Arlington, VA · On-site

Data Science Consulting Travel Required: Up to 25% Clearance Required: Ability to Obtain Public ... anomalous behavior, patterns, or suspicious activity. * Familiarity with law enforcement ...

Steampunk

Data Scientist (Generative AI)

Mclean, VA

$125K - $160K/yr

Design experiments to evaluate generative model behavior (e.g., hallucination rates, factuality ... Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science/statistics, information systems, engineering ...

Steampunk

Data Scientist (Generative AI)

Mclean, VA · On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

Design experiments to evaluate generative model behavior (e.g., hallucination rates, factuality ... Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science/statistics, information systems, engineering ...

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How much do behavior scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavior scientist in Reston, VA is $40.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.24 and $44.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs do behavioral scientists do?

Behavioral scientists study human behavior to develop insights that can improve decision-making, policies, and interventions. They often work in research, healthcare, public policy, or corporate settings, using data analysis and experimental methods to understand and influence behavior. Their work may involve designing programs, conducting experiments, and applying psychological theories to real-world problems.

What are behavior scientists?

Behavior scientists are professionals who study how people and animals behave, often focusing on the underlying psychological, social, and environmental factors that influence actions and decisions. They use research methods and data analysis to understand patterns in behavior and develop strategies to encourage positive changes. Behavior scientists work in various settings such as healthcare, education, business, and government, contributing to programs and policies that improve individual and societal outcomes.

What can you do with a behavior science degree?

A behavior scientist can work in areas such as research, program development, and intervention design to analyze and modify human behavior. They often work in healthcare, education, or corporate settings, utilizing data analysis, behavioral theories, and evidence-based strategies. Roles may require skills in data collection, statistical tools, and understanding of psychological principles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Behavior Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Behavior Scientist, you need a solid background in psychology, behavioral analysis, and research methods, usually supported by an advanced degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R), data collection platforms, and IRB protocols is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills enable accurate study design, insightful data interpretation, and effective application of findings to influence behavior and inform policy.

What can I do with behavioral science?

A behavior scientist applies principles of psychology and data analysis to understand and influence human behavior. They work in areas such as healthcare, marketing, public policy, and organizational development, often using research methods, statistical tools, and behavioral theories to develop interventions and solutions.

What are some of the main challenges Behavior Scientists face when working with multidisciplinary teams?

Behavior Scientists often collaborate with professionals from fields like data science, design, public health, and engineering. A common challenge is effectively communicating complex behavioral theories and research findings to team members with different backgrounds. Bridging these knowledge gaps requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to translate scientific concepts into actionable strategies. Additionally, aligning behavioral interventions with broader project goals and timelines can be demanding but also offers valuable opportunities for professional growth and impact.

What is a behavioral scientist?

A behavioral scientist studies human and animal behavior to understand why people act in certain ways. They often use research methods, data analysis, and psychological theories to develop interventions or policies that influence behavior, frequently working in research, healthcare, or public policy settings.
What are popular job titles related to Behavior Scientist jobs in Reston, VA? For Behavior Scientist jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Behavior Scientist jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Behavior Scientist jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Behavior Scientist jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Behavior Scientist job openings:
Behavior Scientist jobs near you
AI Evaluation Scientist

AI Evaluation Scientist

Steampunk

Mclean, VA • On-site

$105K - $145K/yr

Other

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Overview
We are looking for an AI Evaluation Scientistto design and execute evaluation processes that ensure our predictive and generative AI systems are accurate, reliable, safe, and aligned with mission requirements. This role is essential for establishing trust in AI solutions and supporting continuous improvement across the AI lifecycle. The AI Evaluation Scientist will work closely with engineers, data scientists, governance analysts, and product teams to develop evaluation metrics, build test harnesses, analyze model behavior, and support responsible deployment.
Contributions
  • Implement evaluation frameworks for AI models, including accuracy, robustness, relevance, bias, hallucination rate, and safety metrics.
  • Build and maintain automated evaluation scripts, tests, and pipelines that assess AI model outputs and detect performance drift over time.
  • Develop benchmark datasets, challenge sets, and scenario-based test cases tailored to mission and user needs.
  • Perform structured error analysis and behavioral audits of LLMs, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems, and predictive models, documenting findings and improvement recommendations.
  • Collaborate with AI Developers, LLMOps Engineers, and Data Scientists to support iterative experimentation, model hardening, and quality improvements.
  • Contribute to the design of human-in-the-loop evaluation workflows, integrating qualitative and quantitative insight into evaluation reports.
  • Assist in mapping evaluation outcomes to responsible AI principles such as fairness, transparency, reliability, and safety.
  • Partner with AI Governance Analysts to ensure evaluation outputs support compliance, documentation, and risk assessments.
  • Stay current with emerging evaluation tools, frameworks, metrics, and research related to LLM assessment and generative AI reliability.
  • Document evaluation processes, criteria, and results for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • You will contribute to the growth of our AI & Data Exploitation Practice!

Qualifications
  • Ability to hold a position of public trust with the U.S. government.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Machine Learning, Cognitive Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Data Science, or a related field.
  • 2+ years of experience evaluating machine learning models, NLP systems, or generative AI models (LLMs preferred).
  • Familiarity with evaluation metrics, statistical testing, dataset creation, and experimental design for AI systems.
  • Proficiency in Python and relevant libraries such as PyTorch, Hugging Face, scikit-learn, LangChain
  • Proficiency in AI evaluation frameworks such as Ragas
  • Experience analyzing structured and unstructured data, including text, documents, and embeddings.
  • Understanding of LLM behavior, prompt evaluation, retrieval pipelines, or RAG architectures.
  • Exposure to responsible AI concepts and governance-aligned evaluation criteria (e.g., fairness, transparency, reliability).
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret model weaknesses, extract insights, and recommend actionable improvements.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present evaluation findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Experience working in agile or iterative development environments is a plus.
  • Familiarity with OWASP LLM Top 10 Risks
  • Relevant certifications (helpful but not required):
    • NIST AI RMF (AISIC)
    • INFORMS CAP
    • AWS/Azure/Google ML Certifications.

About steampunk
Steampunk relies on several factors to determine salary, including but not limited to geographic location, contractual requirements, education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. The projected compensation range for this position is $105,000 to $145,000. The estimate displayed represents a typical annual salary range for this position. Annual salary is just one aspect of Steampunk's total compensation package for employees. Learn more about additional Steampunk benefits here.
Identity Statement
As part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.
Steampunk is a Change Agent in the Federal contracting industry, bringing new thinking to clients in the Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health and DoD sectors. Through our Human-Centered delivery methodology, we are fundamentally changing the expectations our Federal clients have for true shared accountability in solving their toughest mission challenges. As an employee owned company, we focus on investing in our employees to enable them to do the greatest work of their careers - and rewarding them for outstanding contributions to our growth. If you want to learn more about our story, visit http://www.steampunk.com.

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