Data Scientist

Data Scientist

About Bright Star

Bright Star is a forward-thinking technology consultancy that specializes in harnessing the power of data and AI to solve complex business challenges. Our team of experts combines deep technical expertise with strategic insight to deliver innovative solutions that drive meaningful impact for our clients.

Role Description

Bright Star is recruiting several Data Scientists of varying levels of seniority to support our Department of State client. Bright Star is adding up to 4 data scientists with complementary knowledge and skills to provide powerful capability to support our expanding set of DOS clients.

This full-time, hybrid role will work directly with a Bureau Chief Data Officer to support national security, operations, and U.S. overseas mission readiness through advanced analytics, AI/ML, and modern data products. The Data Scientist will lead the design, development, and deployment of predictive models, statistical analyses, and AI/ML solutions, including large language model (LLM)–based capabilities. You will help the Department rethink how datasets can be used to identify risk, improve screening and vetting processes, and inform policy and operational decisions across State and interagency partners. You will need to bring your existing skills to bear while picking up new data science and AI skills and technologies “on demand”.

This role offers a unique opportunity to build a new data science capability from the ground up, collaborate with developers, business analysts, and process-improvement specialists, and serve as an AI/ML subject matter expert for a mission-driven federal client eager to experiment, learn, and scale effective solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Work in a collaborative team environment to tackle an evolving set of data science centered project in an agile/agile-like environment.
• Interface directly with mission-facing operators and diplomats to understand their needs and hurdles and iteratively build a solution while monitoring its effectiveness in the real world.
• Develop, validate, and deploy predictive models and machine learning solutions that leverage datasets from State and interagency partners to support national security, risk assessment, and mission-readiness decisions.
• Design and implement statistical analyses, experimentation frameworks, and hypothesis tests to answer complex policy and operational questions.
• Lead the exploration and application of AI and LLM-based techniques (e.g., text classification, entity extraction, summarization, RAG-style workflows) for mission-relevant use cases.
• Work with data engineers to design and optimize data pipelines, feature stores, and model training workflows using tools such as Databricks, SQL, and cloud-native services.
• Collaborate with data visualization developers to turn model outputs into clear, actionable visual stories and dashboards that enable quick decision-making and in-depth analysis.
• Map data and analytical workflows end-to-end, identifying bottlenecks, failure points, and opportunities for process improvement and automation.
• Design and communicate comprehensive analytical approaches, including data sourcing, assumptions, validation steps, model evaluation criteria, and delivery milestones.
• Explain statistical concepts, model behavior, uncertainty, and limitations in clear, intuitive language tailored to non-technical stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Use analogies, stories, and layered explanations to make complex AI/ML concepts memorable and accessible to various audiences.
• Identify data, methodological, stakeholder, and timeline risks early; propose mitigation strategies and adjust plans as constraints and new information emerge.
• Contribute to human-centered design efforts by incorporating user feedback, operational constraints, and field realities into model design and analytic products.
• Document methodologies, models, and decision logic in clear written materials, including technical documentation, SOPs, briefings, and executive-ready summaries.
• Help establish and improve practices for MLOps, CI/CD, and model lifecycle management in a federal environment, including version control, testing, monitoring, and change management.

Required Qualifications

• Must be a US Citizen eligible to hold a Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• 7 years of professional experience in data science, machine learning, or advanced analytics, including end-to-end model development and deployment in production or mission environments.
• Strong foundation in statistics and probability (e.g., inference, regression, classification, time series, experiment design, uncertainty quantification).
• Demonstrated experience building and deploying machine learning models (e.g., classification, regression, clustering, anomaly detection) using Python and common ML libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow, XGBoost).
• Hands-on experience working with large, complex, and messy datasets using SQL and modern data platforms (e.g., Databricks, cloud data warehouses, or equivalent).
• Experience applying or integrating LLMs or related NLP techniques (e.g., transformers, embeddings, topic modeling, information extraction) into real-world analytical workflows.
• Ability to design and communicate structured analytical approaches, including problem framing, data selection, modeling strategy, validation, and success criteria.
• Proven ability to explain statistical and ML concepts clearly, address limitations and misuse, and tailor explanations to executive, operational, and technical audiences.
• Demonstrated experience making model outputs interpretable and actionable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing clear reports, briefings, and presentations for stakeholders at multiple levels.
• U.S. citizen and eligible to obtain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret or higher-level security clearance.
• Experience working with the Department of State, USCIS, USAID, or similar federal agencies.
• Experience with Databricks in a production or enterprise setting.
• Familiarity with MLOps frameworks and tools (e.g., MLflow or similar) for experiment tracking, model registry, and monitoring.
• Expertise with CI/CD and source control for data science (e.g., Git-based workflows, automated testing, and deployment of analytical code or models).
• Experience collaborating with business analysts, process-improvement teams, or human-centered design practitioners.
• Master’s degree or PhD in a quantitative field (may count as additional years of experience).

Bright Star is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Due to the nature of our work as a government contractor, all employees are required to have full U.S Citizenship at the time of hire. Are you a U.S Citizen?

Experience:

• Data science, machine learning, or advanced analytics: 7 years (Preferred)

Security clearance:

• Secret (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Washington, DC 20451 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Washington, DC 20451

Salary : $120,000 - $180,000