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Chief Data Scientist Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Bigdata Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$52.75 - $69.75/hr

Support the Chief Data Scientist/Data Scientists/Big Data Engineers in creating new and novel approaches to solve challenging problems using Machine Learning, Big Data and Cloud technologies. Handle ...

Bigdata Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$52.75 - $69.75/hr

... the Chief Data Scientist/Data Scientists/Big Data Engineers in creating new and novel • approaches to solve challenging problems using Machine Learning, Big Data and Cloud • technologies. • ...

Serve as the primary point of contact for Chief Scientist(s) to provide project planning, budget ... Qualifications The Scientific Data Manager should have the following: * Master's degree in marine ...

... Chief Actuaries - Play a key role in the development of new analytics products for payer strategies ... data science and machine learning What Sets You Apart - Master's Degree in Statistics, Computer ...

... Chief Actuaries - Play a key role in the development of new analytics products for payer strategies ... data science and machine learning What Sets You Apart - Master's Degree in Statistics, Computer ...

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Showing results 1-20

Chief Data Scientist information

See Florida salary details

$28K

$91.7K

$146.8K

How much do chief data scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief data scientist in Florida is $91,721.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,600.00 and $101,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chief data scientist?

Chief Data Scientists are senior-level professionals responsible for leading an organization's data science strategy and initiatives. They oversee data-driven projects, manage data science teams, and collaborate with other executives to leverage data for business growth and innovation. Their role includes developing advanced analytics models, ensuring data quality, and translating complex data insights into actionable business recommendations. Chief Data Scientists also help establish best practices for data management, ethics, and compliance within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief data scientist?

To thrive as a Chief Data Scientist, you need advanced expertise in data science, statistics, machine learning, and a strong background in computer science or a related field, often supported by a PhD or equivalent experience. Mastery of tools such as Python, R, SQL, big data platforms (like Hadoop or Spark), and experience with data visualization and cloud computing are typically required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills help set top professionals apart in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for driving data-driven decision-making and aligning analytics initiatives with organizational goals.

What are the most common challenges faced by a chief data scientist in aligning data science initiatives with business objectives?

A Chief Data Scientist often faces the challenge of translating complex data science insights into actionable strategies that directly support the organization's business goals. Balancing technical innovation with practical business impact requires close collaboration with stakeholders across departments, including IT, product, and executive leadership. Ensuring data quality, managing cross-functional teams, and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making are ongoing priorities. Successfully overcoming these challenges enhances both the credibility and impact of the data science function within the organization.

What is the difference between Chief Data Scientist vs Data Scientist?

AspectChief Data ScientistData Scientist
CredentialsAdvanced degrees (Master's/PhD), extensive experience in data science and leadershipBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Computer Science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, cross-department collaboration, executive-level decision makingData analysis, model development, data cleaning, and reporting
Industry UsageUsed in organizations with large data teams, strategic data initiativesCommon entry to mid-level data roles across industries

The Chief Data Scientist oversees data strategy and leads data science teams, focusing on high-level insights and organizational impact. Data Scientists perform hands-on data analysis and model building, supporting business decisions. While both roles require strong technical skills, the Chief Data Scientist has a broader strategic and leadership focus compared to the more technical, execution-oriented Data Scientist role.

How much does a chief data scientist make?

A chief data scientist typically earns between $120,000 and $200,000 annually, with total compensation often including bonuses and stock options. Salaries vary based on experience, industry, company size, and location, and the role requires advanced skills in data analysis, machine learning, and leadership.

What job categories do people searching Chief Data Scientist jobs in Florida look for?

The top searched job categories for Chief Data Scientist jobs in Florida are:

Infographic showing various Chief Data Scientist job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,721 per year, or $44.1 per hour.

Data Scientist Lead

Tampa, FL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Overview
BlueWater Federal is seeking a Data Scientist Lead to support the USCENTCOM Operations Directorate (J3).
As the Data Scientist Lead, you will provide oversight for the Data Management team and drive the implementation of strategic initiatives in data engineering, data science, and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML). You will be responsible for translating mission needs into high-impact technical solutions, from data ingestion and model development to the deployment of full-stack AI-driven capabilities that directly support military operations
Responsibilities
  • Provide comprehensive leadership and oversight for the data engineering, analytics, and predictive analytics team, ensuring all services align with strategic operational objectives.
  • Lead the development and implementation of advanced analytics, statistical model development, data governance, and the integration of innovative technologies to inform operational decisions.
  • Apply advanced machine learning and AI techniques, including unsupervised, supervised, reinforcement learning, and generative AI (e.g., Large Language Models, multi-modal AI), to identify patterns and generate mission-critical insights.
  • Oversee the development, deployment, and maintenance of high-quality, fault-tolerant data pipelines to clean, tag, and ingest structured and unstructured data into data lakes and lakehouses.
  • Direct the data science lifecycle, from exploration and algorithm development to statistical validation and solution operationalization, ensuring deployed capabilities meet mission requirements.
  • Coordinate with the USCENTCOM Chief Data Officer (CDO), the Operations Directorate Executive Data Officer (XDO), and participate in relevant forums to interpret mission needs and define operational data requirements.
  • Serve as the senior technical advisor for the team, guiding the use of query languages (SQL), programming languages (Python, R), and analytics platforms to enable data-driven decisions.
  • Translate highly technical information and findings into clear, actionable insights for a broad, non-technical operational audience and senior leadership.

Qualifications
  • BA/BS or MA/MS in Data Science, Analytics, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of relevant work experience, with significant experience leading data science or analytics teams.
  • Must have an Active Top Secret clearance and SCI eligibility.
  • Demonstrated experience capturing, implementing, and managing data science requirements for senior Military, Federal Government, or Intelligence Community stakeholders.
  • Proven expertise in applying advanced AI/ML techniques and frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn) to solve complex problems.
  • Highly proficient in Python and/or R for data engineering, automation, and model development.
  • Experience with data engineering concepts, including building and maintaining data pipelines (ETL/ELT), data warehousing, and data lake/lakehouse architectures.
  • Familiarity with data visualization and analytics platforms such as Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, or Palantir Foundry / Maven Smart System (MSS).
  • Experience with data storage and processing tools (e.g., Apache Spark, Databricks, Hadoop) and databases (e.g., TSQL, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL).
  • Must be available for occasional travel to domestic and international locations.
  • Experience implementing data solutions on cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, Google Cloud) and experience with ESRI ArcGIS technologies is desired

BlueWater Federal is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. BlueWater Federal is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.