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Data Science Contract Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

... Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) contract, executed in direct partnership with the Defense ... Apply advanced data science techniques including exploratory data analysis, feature engineering ...

... Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) contract, executed in direct partnership with the Defense ... Apply advanced data science techniques including exploratory data analysis, feature engineering ...

... Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) contract, executed in direct partnership with the Defense ... Apply advanced data science techniques including exploratory data analysis, feature engineering ...

Experience with data science platforms such as RStudio, Spark , or similar tools * Strong documentation and project management skills * Active TS/SCI clearance required at contract start Preferred ...

Outside of contract work, TRSS Data Scientists contribute to internal innovation by participating in research and development (R&D), developing and maintaining shared capabilities, strengthening ...

Outside of contract work, TRSS Data Scientists contribute to internal innovation by participating in research and development (R&D), developing and maintaining shared capabilities, strengthening ...

Data Scientist

Arlington, VA · On-site

$69K - $125K/yr

... DTP) contract working alongside software/system engineers and research/data scientists with ... You will be delivering cutting edge data science capabilities to advance national security ...

Data Scientist

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$75K - $158K/yr

Proficiency in data science tools, programming languages and frameworks (Python, R, SQL, Palantir ... and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies ...

Data Scientist

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$75K - $158K/yr

Proficiency in data science tools, programming languages and frameworks (Python, R, SQL, Palantir ... and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies ...

Data Scientist

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

$75K - $127K/yr

Help strengthen the client's internal data-science capability through pairing, code review ... Contract Wage Determination, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the ...

Data Scientist - Mid

Springfield, VA · On-site

$69K - $141K/yr

Science Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI with Polygraph Employee ... and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies ...

... data science platforms such as RStudio, Spark, or similar tools • Strong documentation and project management skills • Active TS/SCI clearance required at contract start Preferred : • ...

... data science platforms such as RStudio, Spark, or similar tools • Strong documentation and project management skills • Active TS/SCI clearance required at contract start Preferred : • ...

Data Scientist - Mid

Sterling, VA · On-site

$69K - $141K/yr

Science Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI with Polygraph Employee ... and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies ...

Data Scientist

Reston, VA · On-site

$190/hr

Conduct ongoing research on emerging data science methodologies and technologies, implementing new ... contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity ...

New

Master's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related discipline, and 10+ years of ... per contract requirements. Outstanding PerformanceAlways! Our corporate motto represents our ...

Senior Data Scientist

Springfield, VA · On-site

$82K - $172K/yr

Science Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI with Polygraph Employee ... and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies ...

Data Scientist

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$75K - $158K/yr

Responsibilities: • Proficiency in data science tools, programming languages and frameworks ... and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies ...

Showing results 41-60

Data Science Contract information

See Virginia salary details

$22.9K

$107.8K

$199.4K

How much do data science contract jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for data science contract in Virginia is $107,823.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,948.00 and $151,228.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a data science contract?

A Data Science Contract job is a temporary or project-based role where a data scientist is hired for a specific period to work on data-related tasks such as analysis, machine learning, or model development. These roles can be short-term (a few months) or long-term but lack the benefits and job security of full-time employment. Contract data scientists often work with multiple clients, bringing expertise to solve business problems without a long-term commitment.

What kinds of projects and day-to-day tasks can I expect as a data science contract professional?

As a Data Science Contract professional, you can expect to work on a variety of projects such as developing predictive models, analyzing large datasets, creating data visualizations, or advising organizations on best practices for data-driven decision making. Your day-to-day tasks may involve collaborating closely with clients or internal stakeholders to clarify objectives, cleaning and preparing data, developing algorithms, and presenting your findings in clear, actionable formats. Projects often vary in length and scope, offering exciting opportunities to tackle new business challenges across different industries. Flexibility and effective time management are essential, as balancing project deadlines and adapting quickly to new tools or domains are common aspects of contract-based work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the data science contract position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Science Contract professional, you need a strong foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning, data manipulation, and advanced proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, typically supported by a relevant degree. Experience with data visualization tools, cloud platforms, and certifications like AWS Certified Data Analytics or Microsoft Certified: Data Scientist are highly valued. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for collaborating with diverse teams and interpreting client needs. These skills ensure that contract-based data scientists can deliver actionable insights, adapt to new environments, and effectively address client-specific problems within limited project timelines.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Science jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Data Science jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Data Science Contract jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Data Science Contract job openings:

Infographic showing various Data Science Contract job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,823 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

Senior Data Scientist

Reston, VA • On-site

Leidos
IT Services • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday


Key responsibilities

  • Serve as a senior technical contributor and analytic lead on complex, high-impact national security programs

  • Translate operational challenges into data science requirements and develop advanced analytics, models, and AI solutions

  • Support deployment, monitoring, and ongoing operations of analytic solutions, including transitioning models across security environments


Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 154 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Leidos is seeking a Senior AI/Data Scientist to drive advanced AI development for a strategic Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) contract, executed in direct partnership with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). You will work within a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and software developers to physically and functionally characterize hardened facilities and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) processes in order to create physics based models capable of supporting various simulations. This role supports customers operating in classified environments and requires close collaboration with subject matter experts, designers, engineers, analysts, and mission stakeholders to deliver innovative, operationally relevant data science and AI solutions. The Senior Data Scientist will lead complex analytics efforts across the full solution lifecycle-from problem definition and requirements development through design, implementation, deployment, and ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M). The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, strong mission awareness, and the ability to communicate analytic insights to senior decision-makers.
Key Responsibilities
  • Serve as a senior technical contributor and analytic lead on complex, high-impact national security programs
  • Partner with government customers and subject matter experts to define mission problems and analytic objectives
  • Translate ambiguous operational challenges into actionable data science requirements and solution designs
  • Design, develop, and deploy advanced analytics, statistical models, and machine learning solutions
  • Apply advanced data science techniques including exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, predictive modeling, hypothesis testing, and algorithm development
    • Architect and deploy advanced machine learning models (e.g., Physics-Informed Neural Networks, Generative AI) that fuse engineering data with first-principles physics.
  • Translate and integrate structured and unstructured data from diverse sources across classified environments into physical and functional characteristic models for hardened facilities and WMD processes to support effects-based simulations.
  • Communicate analytic findings, insights, and recommendations to senior technical and non-technical stakeholders. Bridge the gap between software engineers, intelligence analysts, and domain scientists to integrate data pipelines and transition proof-of-concepts into production.
  • Support deployment, monitoring, and ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) of analytic solutions
  • Design, test, and deploy AI-driven software solutions to dramatically increase the efficiency, scale, and accuracy of engineering and scientific assessments.
  • Architect, deploy, and maintain advanced AI/ML pipeline components across disparate security enclaves, transitioning models from low-side development environments to the High Side.
  • Apply data science and AI algorithms to streamline overall program management, resource allocation, and mission execution metrics.
  • Mentor and guide junior data scientists and contribute to analytic standards, best practices, and reusable frameworks
  • Maintain awareness of emerging data science, AI, and big-data technologies relevant to national security missions

Required Qualifications
  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Active TS/SCI w/ poly level clearance
  • Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field with 15+ years of relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree with 18+ years of relevant experience
  • Extensive experience applying data science and advanced analytics to complex, mission-focused problems
  • Expert-level proficiency in Python and/or R, including advanced data science and machine learning libraries
  • Strong experience working with large, complex datasets from multiple sources
  • Proven experience developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining software applications and AI models within a JWICS (Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System) network environment.
  • Understanding of secure cross-domain solutions (CDS), data-transfer protocols, and the deployment of MLOps pipelines across air-gapped systems
  • Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts and influence analytic direction on large or complex programs
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including briefing senior leaders

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in engineering data solutions within AWS (Amazon Web Services) GovCloud or Commercial Cloud Services (C2S).
  • Experience with Agile Scrum Development/Agile methodology.
  • Experience supporting intelligence community, Department of Defense, or other national security customers
  • Experience operating in classified computing environments
  • Expertise in one or more advanced domains such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, graph analytics, or predictive modeling
  • Experience with cloud-based or enterprise analytics platforms
  • Demonstrated experience mentoring technical staff or serving as a technical lead
  • Demonstrated experience providing instruction, instructional design, or curriculum development

#ASBA
#Snakehead
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
August 21, 2026
For 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.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00
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.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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