Data Scientist

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

Veracity Forecasting Portfolio (VF) is part of the Sea, Land, Air Division within Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. Our unique processes result in authoritative, data-driven analyses that assist enterprise managers with complex decision making. We offer our customers proven expertise in descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics; advanced mathematics and computational techniques (a.k.a. data science); and software engineering. Our mission is to help enterprise leaders make complex, fully informed decisions and save money in the process.

SPA has an immediate need for a Data Scientist. This full-time position is based in Alexandria, Virginia. Opportunity for remote work in the DMV area.

Everybody's view of data science is a little different, and we are no exception. In our team, we view data science as a way of understanding "how the world works." We make assumptions and models then use data of all sorts to validate or disprove them. Our customers ask tough questions about managing their multifaceted enterprises; we build and operate complex models and simulations to provide the answers that best address the decisions they face.

We don't expect you to come in with all the subject matter expertise needed to completely understand the data analysis or to create models with the fidelity we require. We do expect you to get there quickly, though. We look for traits such as how you solve problems when you're stuck. Do you look for creative ways to apply different techniques from tangential disciplines? Do you crack open a book and teach yourself how to do something new? Do you collaborate with your colleagues? If you take initiatives like these, you would fit in well with our team of analysts.

We would love to tell you that we spend all our time developing elaborate algorithms for regression, survival, kernel weighting, etc., but honestly, we spend a lot of time wrangling data. This includes combining data from disparate data systems, manipulating formats, and cleaning-all of which are required to make the modeling happen. For this critical work we need someone who is precise, efficient, and tenacious.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics
• Demonstrated experience (minimum three years) in operations research or numerical analysis in a technical field
• Two+ years of professional experience using Python for scientific programming and mathematical modeling
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytic curiosity, attention to detail, and the desire to learn and apply new skills to projects
• Ability to work well with other technical and scientific professionals in a research environment
• U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance throughout employment

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics
• Department of Defense, U.S. Navy, or U.S. Air Force experience
• Active DoD Secret Clearance