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Scientific Programmer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Senior AI Engineer - SFL Scientific

Mclean, VA · On-site

$105K - $145K/yr

SFL Scientific, a Deloitte Business, is looking to add a Senior AI Engineer to their vibrant environment. SFL Scientific is part of our broader Strategy Offering within the Strategy & Transactions ...

The Scientist / Engineer will support the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E). Work on-site in Arlington, VA is required. Essential Job Functions * Lead ...

The Scientist / Engineer will support the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E). Work on-site in Arlington, VA is required. Essential Job Functions * Lead ...

The Scientist / Engineer will support the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E). Work on-site in Arlington, VA is required. Essential Job Functions * Lead ...

Space Scientist-Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$175K - $210K/yr

... encourage scientific research in recognition of its paramount importance as related to the ... Recent experience providing Systems Engineering, Technical Assistance, and programmatic support of ...

Data Engineering and Advance Analytics Enablement team is looking for a R Analytics Cloud Engineer ... Develop data science tool with R Shiny as the web framework and deploy the artifacts into RStudio ...

Data Engineering and Advance Analytics Enablement team is looking for a R Analytics Cloud Engineer ... Develop data science tool with R Shiny as the web framework and deploy the artifacts into RStudio ...

With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research ...

Overview/ Job Responsibilities Entarian is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Scientist/Engineer to support NOAA operational calibration of sensors on Low Earth Orbiting satellites ...

With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research ...

With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research ...

Overview/ Job Responsibilities Entarian is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Scientist/Engineer to support NOAA operational calibration of sensors on Low Earth Orbiting satellites ...

Entarian is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Scientist/Engineer to support NOAA operational calibration of sensors on Low Earth Orbiting satellites, including characterizing, and ...

Mid Computer Programmer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$100K - $115K/yr

Computer software engineers apply the principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the software and ...

Senior Computer Programmer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Computer software engineers apply the principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the software and ...

Showing results 41-60

Scientific Programmer information

See Washington salary details

$12

$45

$81

How much do scientific programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for scientific programmer in Washington is $45.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.40 and $65.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a scientific programmer?

Scientific programmers are professionals who develop, implement, and optimize software solutions for scientific research and data analysis. They work closely with scientists and researchers to translate complex scientific problems into computational algorithms, scripts, and tools. Their work often involves programming in languages like Python, C++, or R, and may include tasks such as data processing, simulation, modeling, and visualization. Scientific programmers play a crucial role in advancing research by making scientific computations more efficient and reproducible.

What does a scientific programmer do?

The duties of a scientific programmer are to design a variety of tools for researchers to perform statistical and mathematical modeling on large datasets. They often work within a specific framework or software, and their responsibilities are to script tools that make it easier for scientists to use the programs or models. Their duties may include designing a new user interface or creating shell scripts for the UNIX or Linux operating systems. A scientific programmer also conducts code review and quality assurance tasks to ensure that programs are ready to be used. Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in computer science, bioinformatics, or computational biology. If you want to specialize in a particular discipline, you may need additional experience or advanced qualifications.

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

To thrive as a Scientific Programmer, you need a solid background in computer science, mathematics, or a related field, along with strong programming skills in languages like Python, C++, or R. Familiarity with scientific computing libraries (such as NumPy, SciPy), data analysis tools, and version control systems like Git is typically required, and experience with high-performance computing or parallel processing is a plus. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are key soft skills that distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing reliable, efficient code to support complex scientific research and for collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

How does a scientific programmer typically collaborate with researchers and other technical staff on projects?

Scientific Programmers often work closely with research scientists, data analysts, and IT teams to develop and optimize software tools for scientific studies. They participate in project meetings to understand research goals, translate scientific requirements into code, and troubleshoot issues that arise in computational workflows. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as Scientific Programmers must ensure their solutions align with both technical standards and the scientific objectives of the research team.

What is the difference between Scientific Programmer vs Data Analyst?

AspectScientific ProgrammerData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Computer Science, Physics, or related fields; programming skillsBachelor's or higher in Statistics, Data Science, or related fields; analytical skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, scientific institutions, academia, industry R&DBusiness, finance, healthcare, marketing sectors
Employer & Industry UsageResearch organizations, universities, scientific companiesCorporations, consulting firms, government agencies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding technical roles in scientific computingAnalyzing data to inform decisions

Scientific Programmers focus on developing software and algorithms for scientific research, often working with complex simulations and data modeling. Data Analysts interpret data sets to generate insights and support decision-making. While both roles require strong programming skills and analytical thinking, Scientific Programmers are more involved in software development for scientific purposes, whereas Data Analysts focus on data interpretation and reporting.

Is scientific programming a good career?

Scientific programming is a viable career that involves developing software for research, data analysis, and simulation in scientific fields. It requires strong programming skills, knowledge of scientific concepts, and often proficiency in languages like Python, C++, or MATLAB. The demand for scientific programmers is steady in academia, industry, and government research organizations.

What are popular job titles related to Scientific Programmer jobs in Washington?

For Scientific Programmer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Scientific Programmer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Scientific Programmer jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Scientific Programmer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Scientific Programmer job openings:

Infographic showing various Scientific Programmer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,913 per year, or $45.2 per hour.

Scientific Data Engineering Specialist

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Mclean, VA • On-site, Remote

$17.25 - $23/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Booz Allen Hamilton rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 72 rated business consultants


Job description


Remote Work:
Hybrid
Job Number:
R0247081
Location:
McLean,VA,US
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Scientific Data Engineering Specialist
The Opportunity:
Provide technical leadership in designing and implementing scalable data ingestion, storage, cataloging, API, and processing capabilities as a Scientific Data Engineering Specialist. Ensure that high-volume, secure, and reliable data pipelines operate effectively across various internal data teams. Contribute to modern cloud-based architectures and guide the development and optimization of microservices that support ingestion, transformation, and advanced processing workflows. Partner closely with engineering peers to evolve legacy data flows into event-driven systems and strengthen platform observability, metrics, and logging. Build and refine API and notification services to streamline data exchange and integration. Enhance metadata and catalog systems to improve data discoverability and synchronization with downstream users. Support strong quality practices, including test-driven development, integration testing, and performance validation. Participate actively in sprint activities, architectural discussions, and cross-team collaboration to help drive clarity, alignment, and technical direction. Work with us to use data for good. Due to the nature of work performed within this facility, U.S. citizenship is required.
You Have:
  • Experience with geospatial data processing using tools such as PostGIS, advanced coordinate reference systems, spatial envelopes, and scientific imagery formats such as GOES-R, NEXRAD, and polar-orbiter products
  • Experience engineering cloud-native scientific data systems supporting high-volume environmental, observational, or geospatial data
  • Experience designing and implementing high-throughput microservices and event-driven pipelines that process real-time scientific datasets, including satellite imagery, radar data, and model output
  • Experience developing tooling for scientific visualization, including real-time imagery rendering, spatial mapping, and interactive meteorological products
  • Experience architecting concurrent, performance-critical systems capable of handling large numerical and geospatial workloads using Java, Spring Boot, and cloud technologies
  • Experience defining system architecture, writing technical strategies, and presenting scientific or technical program direction to senior stakeholders
  • Ability to build end-to-end scientific data workflows, including ingestion, decoding, transformation, georeferencing, cataloging, and synchronized distribution across microservices
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or Suitability/Fitness determination based on client requirements
  • Bachelor's degree

Nice If You Have:
  • Experience with scientific programming languages or frameworks such as Python, geospatial libraries, scientific image decoders, or spatial analytics tools
  • Experience with distributed scientific data systems such as Kafka, Pulsar, or other messaging tools used in real-time environmental data dissemination
  • Experience with cloud infrastructure for scientific workloads, including AWS EKS, S3, SQS/SNS, IAM, and container-based orchestration for large data pipelines
  • Experience with satellite, radar, or atmospheric science domains, including handling raw instrument data, encrypted telemetry, or environmental sensor outputs
  • Experience with NoSQL or scientific storage patterns, including MongoDB, Redis, or other high-performance caching systems suitable for scientific applications
  • Experience with scientific visualization frameworks, WebGL-based rendering, map services, or ArcGIS integrations supporting operational users
  • Experience supporting mission-critical systems with strict performance, reliability, and concurrency requirements common in scientific and environmental operations
  • Experience collaborating with scientific end-users such as forecasters, analysts, or research teams, to translate mission needs into technical designs

Vetting:
Applicants selected will be subject to a government investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements of the U.S. government client.
Compensation
At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen's benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.
Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $77,600.00 to $176,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen's total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.
Identity Statement
As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. 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.
Candidate AI Usage Policy
AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.
Work Model
Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration, whether it occurs in person or virtually. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings.
  • Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.
  • Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility.
  • Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.
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About Booz Allen Hamilton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Booz Allen Hamilton is a leading provider of management and technology consulting services to the US government in defense, intelligence, and civil markets. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, the firm also serves major corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. Founded in 1914 by Edwin G. Booz, the company has a long-standing tradition of helping clients achieve success by delivering a wide range of consulting services that include strategic planning, human capital and learning, communication, systems development, and others. The company's mission is to empower people to change the world, and it has a reputation for maintaining the highest standards of integrity and-excellence.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1914