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Freelance Data Science Startup Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Applied Data Scientist

Arlington, VA ยท On-site +1

$120K - $170K/yr

Take ownership of data science projects from initial problem definition and hypothesis building to ... Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup * Competitive medical, dental, and vision ...

$120K - $170K/yr

Take ownership of data science projects from initial problem definition and hypothesis building to ... Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup * Competitive medical, dental, and vision ...

Applied Data Scientist

Arlington, VA ยท On-site +1

$120K - $170K/yr

Take ownership of data science projects from initial problem definition and hypothesis building to ... Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup * Competitive medical, dental, and vision ...

Data Scientist

Arlington, VA ยท On-site +1

Lean Startup lets us turn those ideas into business models that work, quickly and for the least cost. Our world class data scientists wring the value from data, and Agile helps us deliver solutions ...

Showing results 41-60

Freelance Data Science Startup information

What is the difference between Freelance Data Science Startup vs Data Analyst?

AspectFreelance Data Science StartupData Analyst
CredentialsRelevant degrees, certifications in data science or analyticsDegree in statistics, data analysis, or related fields
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteTypically in corporate or organizational settings, often full-time
Employer & IndustrySelf-employed or startup clients across various industriesEmployers in finance, marketing, healthcare, etc.
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for freelance opportunities or startup roles in data scienceSeeking data analysis roles within organizations

Freelance Data Science Startups focus on independent, project-based work involving advanced data modeling and machine learning, often serving multiple clients. Data Analysts typically work within organizations analyzing data to inform business decisions. While both roles require analytical skills, freelance data science startups emphasize entrepreneurship and technical expertise, whereas data analysts focus on operational data insights within a company.

What is a freelance data science startup?

A Freelance Data Science Startup is a small business or entrepreneurial venture where individuals or small teams offer data science services independently, rather than working as full-time employees for a single company. These startups provide solutions such as data analysis, machine learning, predictive modeling, and data visualization to various clients on a project basis. Freelance data science startups often work with businesses that need expertise for specific projects or lack in-house data science resources. They may operate remotely and handle multiple clients simultaneously, allowing for flexibility and diverse experience. This model is popular among data scientists seeking autonomy and a variety of challenging projects.

What unique challenges do freelance data scientists face when working with startups, and how can they manage them?

Freelance data scientists working with startups often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing project scopes, limited historical data, and the need to wear multiple hats. Since startups typically operate in fast-paced environments, priorities can shift quickly, requiring adaptability and strong communication skills. To manage these challenges, it's important to set clear expectations upfront, maintain transparent communication with stakeholders, and design flexible data solutions that can evolve as the business grows. Building strong relationships with both technical and non-technical team members can also help ensure project alignment and successful outcomes.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a freelance data science startup founder?

To thrive as a Freelance Data Science Startup founder, you need strong expertise in data analysis, machine learning, programming (Python/R), and a solid educational background in statistics or computer science. Familiarity with tools like Jupyter, TensorFlow, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP), and data visualization software, as well as relevant certifications, is highly beneficial. Exceptional communication, client management, and entrepreneurial skills help differentiate successful founders in this space. These skills are crucial for delivering high-quality solutions, winning clients, and sustaining a competitive edge in the evolving data science market.
What are the most commonly searched types of Data Science Startup jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Data Science Startup jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Data Science Startup jobs in Virginia? For Freelance Data Science Startup jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Data Science Startup jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Data Science Startup jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Freelance Data Science Startup jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Freelance Data Science Startup job openings:
Infographic showing various Freelance Data Science Startup job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

Applied Data Scientist

Shift5

Arlington, VA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$120K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

This job post hasย expired 1 day ago.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

About Shift5

Shift5 is building the data platform for onboard operational technology (OT). We deliver cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance capabilities that enable defense and commercial fleets to operate with greater readiness, resilience, and mission assurance.

Shift5 is seeking an Applied Data Scientist to join our growing Data Science team. In this role, your primary responsibility will be to collaborate with customers and internal stakeholders to discover critical insights, deconstruct complex business problems into testable hypotheses, and build end-to-end data science solutions that scale back into Shift5โ€™s core product line.

What You\'ll Do
  • End-to-End Project Scoping: Take ownership of data science projects from initial problem definition and hypothesis building to final, actionable deliverable.
  • Product Generalization: Take one-off customer insights and solutions and build them back into the broader, deployable suite of Shift5 core products.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with embedded analysts, deployment strategists, and forward-deployed engineers to translate complex analyses into immediate customer value.

  • Advanced Data Analysis: Perform complex statistical analyses to push the envelope, interpret trends, and break new ground in leveraging operational data for diagnosis and prediction.

  • System Optimization: Work closely with programmers, engineers, and leadership to identify process improvements, propose system modifications, and devise long-term data strategies.

What Success Looks Like
  • You are proactive at identifying critical open questions and customer needs - often far ahead of the customerโ€™s own articulation of them.
  • You maintain a "no task too small" mindset, successfully managing multiple engagements simultaneously while staying focused on scalable solutions.

  • You efficiently break down unstructured, highly ambiguous problems into smaller, manageable parts and execute them independently.

What Weโ€™re Looking For
  • Technical Skills: Fluency in a generic analytics coding language (Python, SQL, R, or Matlab) and strong data needs analysis skills (identifying data and technical tests required to validate hypotheses).
  • Communication & Mindset: Excellent communication skills with a track record of translating highly technical information for non-technical audiences. A humble, receptive attitude toward feedback.

  • Logistics: Ability and willingness to travel up to 40% of the time (US only).

  • Preferred Experience: Experience with time-series data, and a background/education blend (ideally a Master\'s or Doctorate program) in Data Science. Industry experience in defense, aerospace, or cybersecurity is a major plus.

Compensation & Benefits
  • Base Salary: $120,000 - $170,000

  • Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup

  • Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families

  • Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions

  • Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance 

  • Uncapped paid time off policyโ€ฏ

  • Flexible work & remote work policyโ€ฏ

  • Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)โ€ฏ 

We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that embraces the diversity of our people and represents the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives and ways of solving problems. We strive to attract and retain talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.โ€ฏโ€ฏ 

Shift5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, age, marital status, ancestry, projected veteran status, or any other protected group or class.โ€ฏ 

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