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Scientific Director Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Carmax

Director, Data Science

Richmond, VA

A Director, Core Pricing Systems, owns the pricing of vehicles in one of three key business areas ... Our team of data scientists and business analysts plays a critical role in unlocking the business ...

Carmax

Director, Data Science

Richmond, VA · On-site

$161K - $258K/yr

A Director, Core Pricing Systems, owns the pricing of vehicles in one of three key business areas ... Our team of data scientists and business analysts plays a critical role in unlocking the business ...

CarMax, Inc.

Director, Data Science

Richmond, VA · On-site

A Director, Core Pricing Systems, owns the pricing of vehicles in one of three key business areas ... Our team of data scientists and business analysts plays a critical role in unlocking the business ...

Capital One

Director, Data Scientist

Mclean, VA · On-site

Director, Data Scientist Data is at the center of everything we do. As a startup, we disrupted the credit card industry by individually personalizing every credit card offer using statistical ...

Gartner

Director, Data Science

Arlington, VA · Remote

The Director, Data Science will lead efforts across personalization, recommendation systems, and GenAI chatbot tools, delivering scalable intelligence that drives hyper-personalized experiences and ...

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All JobsScientific JobsScientific Director JobsScientific Director Jobs in Virginia

Scientific Director information

See Virginia salary details

$91.2K

$155.4K

$191.8K

How much do scientific director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for scientific director in Virginia is $155,378.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $148,200.00 and $168,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a scientific director?

A Scientific Director is a senior leader responsible for overseeing and guiding the scientific research and development efforts within an organization. They set the strategic direction for research programs, manage scientific teams, and ensure projects align with the organization’s goals and regulatory standards. Scientific Directors often collaborate with other departments, secure funding, and represent the organization at conferences or in partnerships. Their role is crucial in driving innovation and maintaining the quality and integrity of scientific work.

What does a scientific director do?

A scientific director manages research programs for a company, organization, or institution. Your job duties can vary depending on where you work, but as a scientific director, you help define the research direction of an organization. You may oversee laboratory experiments, hire researchers to meet staffing needs, and offer guidance so that the research meets specific goals. You establish initiatives and create strategies that help your facility meet particular objectives. A scientific director sometimes acts as a liaison between researchers and other executives or administrators.

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

To thrive as a Scientific Director, you need advanced expertise in scientific research, typically supported by a Ph.D. and significant leadership experience in your field. Proficiency with research management tools, data analysis software, and familiarity with regulatory compliance systems is expected. Strong strategic thinking, communication, and team leadership skills set exceptional candidates apart. These skills are vital for driving innovative research, managing multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring project success within organizational and regulatory frameworks.

How does a scientific director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams in a research organization?

Scientific Directors play a central role in coordinating efforts across various departments, such as research scientists, clinical teams, regulatory affairs, and business development. They facilitate communication to ensure that scientific objectives align with organizational goals and project timelines. Regular meetings, joint project planning, and shared data platforms are commonly used to maintain transparency and drive progress. This collaborative approach helps streamline decision-making and fosters innovation by integrating diverse expertise.

What is the difference between Scientific Director vs Research Scientist?

AspectScientific DirectorResearch Scientist
Required credentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD or MD), extensive research experienceTypically a PhD or Master's degree in a relevant field
Work environmentLeadership roles in labs, research institutions, or pharmaceutical companiesLaboratory or field research settings, often under supervision
Employer and industry usageUsed in biotech, pharma, academia for overseeing research programsCommon in research labs, academia, and industry for conducting experiments

The main difference is that a Scientific Director oversees research programs and manages teams, requiring leadership skills and strategic planning, while a Research Scientist focuses on conducting experiments and generating data. Both roles require advanced degrees, but the Scientific Director has broader responsibilities in guiding research direction.

More about Scientific Director jobs

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

The most popular types of Scientific jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Scientific Director jobs in Virginia?

For Scientific Director jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Scientific Director jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Scientific Director jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Scientific Director jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Scientific Director job openings:

Scientific Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Scientific Director job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,378 per year, or $74.7 per hour.

Scientific Software Developer (DC, NoVA)

Stellar Science

Vienna, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

We hire smart Scientists and Software Engineers who love to create and maintain high quality, extensible code using modern C++ practices.
Support software development in the following domains: computer vision and image processing, image simulation, laser or high-power microwave source generation and effects modeling, atmospheric modeling, computational electromagnetics (CEM), space domain awareness (SDA), high performance computing (HPC), computer aided design (CAD) tools, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques, among others.
Minimum Requirements:
  • B.S. in math, science, computational engineering, an engineering field, or computer science
  • Substantial software development experience
  • Object-oriented development and C++ programming experience
  • Adept at learning new paradigms and programming development processes
  • Enthusiasm for developing modern, high-quality C++23 code
  • U.S. citizen, willing to undergo background investigation, and perform some work at government and/or customer sites

Desired:
  • Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in science, an engineering field, math, or computer science
  • Active security clearance

Experience in any of the following is a plus:
  • Additional languages: Python, Java, TypeScript
  • C++ Boost, Eigen libraries
  • Cross-platform software development on Linux and Windows
  • 3D graphics using OpenGL, Open Scene Graph, Vulkan, and/or WebGL
  • User interface development with Qt, Material UI, Java Swing
  • Supercomputing: OpenMP, threads, MPI, GPUs/CUDA/Optix
  • Image processing, imagery analysis, or computer vision, computer aided design (CAD)
  • Aerospace vehicles, orbital mechanics, electromagnetics, space domain awareness
  • Spacecraft subsystem modeling
  • Modeling and simulation, including directed energy
  • Machine learning and data analysis using Python (pandas, NumPy, SciPy, scikit-learn), C++, and frameworks such as PyTorch and TensorFlow
  • Reinforcement learning, large language model development, computer vision, data mining, and core ML techniques (classification, regression, clustering)
  • Experience with Advanced Framework for Simulation Integration & Modeling (AFSIM)
  • Experience with client- and server- side web applications
  • Experience or interest in building collaborative web tools

A representative sample of your code may be requested early in the evaluation process, e.g. something you've written for work, for a class, or for fun. It should be long enough to help evaluate your programming and software engineering skills.
 

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