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Top Data Science Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's degree in computer science, Machine Learning, Applied Mathematics, Computer Engineering ... top talent.Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable ...

Bachelor's degree in computer science, Machine Learning, Applied Mathematics, Computer Engineering ... top talent.Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable ...

By attracting top talent and leveraging cutting-edge technology, we're enabling people to unlock ... About the Role As the Head of Data Science, you will lead the strategic direction of data science ...

Active Top Secret security clearance with SCI + CI Poly eligibility * A Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Math, Finance, Statistics, Information Management, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics ...

Contribute to new data science initiatives, particularly in NLP, text processing, and data decoding ... Top Workplace * 9X Washingtonian Great Places to Work * St. Louis Post-Dispatch Best Places to Work.

Required : • US CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED and an Active Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance with SCI eligibility (TS/SCI) • Masters or Ph.D in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Applied ...

US CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED and an active Top Secret Security Clearance with SCI eligibility * Masters or Ph.D in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Physical or ...

US CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED and an Active Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance with SCI eligibility (TS/SCI) * Masters or Ph.D in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics ...

Data Scientist

Arlington, VA · On-site

$69.40K - $158K/yr

Top Secret clearance * Bachelor's degree Nice If You Have: * 5+ years of experience with data science, dashboard development, data analytics, statistics, or machine learning engineering * Experience ...

Data Scientist

Arlington, VA

$69.40K - $158K/yr

Top Secret clearance * Bachelor's degree Nice If You Have: * 5+ years of experience with data science, dashboard development, data analytics, statistics, or machine learning engineering * Experience ...

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Showing results 1-20

Top Data Science information

See Virginia salary details

$37.2K

$121.7K

$194.8K

How much do top data science jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for top data science in Virginia is $121,686.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,700.00 and $134,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Top Data Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Top Data Scientist, you need advanced proficiency in statistics, machine learning, and programming (commonly in Python or R), typically supported by a degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis tools like Pandas, NumPy, TensorFlow, and data visualization platforms, as well as experience with big data infrastructure such as Hadoop or Spark, is essential. Strong problem-solving ability, critical thinking, and effective communication skills distinguish top performers in this field. These skills and qualities are crucial for extracting actionable insights from complex datasets and driving data-driven decision-making in organizations.

What are some typical challenges a data scientist faces when working on cross-functional teams?

Data scientists often collaborate with professionals from engineering, product management, and business units, which can present challenges such as aligning on project goals, communicating complex technical findings to non-technical stakeholders, and managing differing priorities. It’s common to navigate ambiguity in data requirements or business objectives, requiring strong communication and adaptability. Building successful partnerships across functions is key to ensuring that data-driven insights are actionable and impactful.

What is a data scientist?

A data scientist is a professional who analyzes and interprets complex digital data to help organizations make informed decisions. They use techniques from statistics, computer science, and machine learning to extract insights from large datasets. Data scientists often build predictive models, visualize data trends, and communicate findings to stakeholders. Their work helps businesses optimize operations, identify new opportunities, and solve challenging problems using data-driven approaches.

What is the difference between Top Data Science vs Data Analyst?

AspectTop Data ScienceData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Computer Science, or related fields; often includes certifications in machine learning or AIBachelor's in Statistics, Mathematics, or related fields; certifications in data analysis tools are common
Work EnvironmentResearch and development teams, data science departments, often in tech or finance industriesBusiness units, marketing, finance, or operations teams across various industries
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and startups focusing on predictive modeling and AIRetail, finance, healthcare, and other sectors focusing on reporting and data interpretation

Top Data Science roles focus on advanced analytics, machine learning, and predictive modeling, requiring specialized skills and higher-level credentials. Data Analysts primarily handle data reporting, visualization, and basic analysis. While both roles work with data, Top Data Science positions involve more complex modeling and algorithm development, often in tech-driven environments.

Infographic showing various Top Data Science job openings in Virginia as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,686 per year, or $58.5 per hour.
Data Science Manager, Forward Deployed

Data Science Manager, Forward Deployed

Govini

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Company Description
Govini transforms Defense Acquisition from an outdated manual process to a software-driven strategic advantage for the United States. Our flagship product, Ark, supports Supply Chain, Science & Technology, Production, Sustainment, Logistics, and Modernization teams with AI-enabled Applications and best-in-class data to more rapidly imagine, develop, and field the capabilities we need. Today, the national security community and every branch of the military rely on Govini to enable faster and more informed Acquisition decisions.
Job Description
At Govini, the Data Science Manager, Forward Deployed, is responsible for managing the AI model development discipline and team, including AI roadmap development, AI/ML model development, evaluation, and designing models and AI systems for particular use cases for National Security customers. You will collaborate with Product, Sales, and Engineering in a cross-functional capacity to deliver high-quality, decision-grade models and product features to our customers. You will work with our customers directly to better understand their key challenges. You thrive under pressure and are eager to solve new challenges. You are passionate about recruiting and developing top data science talent. You are a technology and data nerd who strives to always deliver the best product to our customers.
In order to do this job well, you will push the boundaries of machine learning, with a focus on delivering clear, direct value to our customers. You will always look for new ways to leverage models to drive new insights and customer value. You won't hesitate to identify problems and take the lead on finding the answers. You are a self-starter who leads by example. You are a creative, out-of-the-box thinker who shares our passion and obsession with problem-solving. As part of our team, you must have a strong understanding of the various fundamentals of data science and analysis, and machine learning model development and productionalization. You have a proven track record for implementation and excel at the successful implementation of AI models.
This role is a full-time position located out of our office in Pittsburgh, PA or Arlington, VA office.
This role may require up to 50% travel.
Scope of Responsibilities
  • Lead and mentor a team of forward-deployed data scientists, AI engineers, and MLE engineers, guiding them from ideation to implementation, and fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
  • Organize complex AI/ML/DS work for multiple clients, spanning science cases such as LLM/GenAI, reinforcement learning, decision science, capability simulation, document understanding, forecast models, and others, across areas like logistics, MRO, supply chains, and others.
  • Establish coding, testing, and AI coding best practices and standards for engineers, driving excellence in software development.
  • Oversee AI development for practical use cases in deployment by nurturing the AI team culture, defining AI/ML tool usage, and applying scientific methods.
  • Oversee the quality of scientists' deliverables, including model delivery, coding, evaluation, and testing, to maintain high standards of science and software.
  • Collaborate closely with client stakeholders, Govini's product, forward deployment, and engagement teams to translate business requirements into technical specifications.
  • Continuously seek innovation and process improvement opportunities, finding efficiencies in all assigned tasks to drive the team's success.
  • Work with AI platform teams to ensure generalization of AI cases built for particular clients into platform and product features.
  • Organize and lead processes for the science team, ensuring efficient project execution and alignment with business goals.

Qualifications
  • U.S. Citizenship is required

Required Skills:
  • Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, or a related field
  • Minimum 3 years of experience building and deploying ML or LLM-powered systems in production environments
  • Minimum 2 years of experience leading or mentoring engineering teams in production environments
  • Practical experience in building, developing, and productionizing machine learning systems
  • Advanced software skills in Python
  • Experience with common LLM algorithms and implementations
  • Hands-on experience with AWS and cloud infrastructure
  • A strong desire to learn and investigate new technologies
  • Familiarity with Git source control management
  • Ability to work collaboratively with little supervision
  • A burning desire to work in a challenging fast-paced tech environment

Desired Skills:
  • Current possession of a U.S. security clearance, or the ability to obtain one with our sponsorship
  • Experience in or exposure to the nuances of a startup or other entrepreneurial environment
  • Experience with Claude Code and GenAI coding best practices.

We firmly believe that past performance is the best indicator of future performance. If you thrive while building solutions to complex problems, are a self-starter, and are passionate about making an impact in global security, we're eager to hear from you.
Govini is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans status or any other characteristic protected by law.