What are the responsibilities and job description for the Data Scientist - Junior position at Systems Development and Analysis?
ASHBURN, VA – Data Scientist (Junior)
SDA seeks a motivated, career-oriented Junior Data Scientist to join our innovative team in Ashburn, VA. This is a hybrid position with some remote work.
Every day, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) manages the complex flow of people, capital, and goods across air, land, sea, and cyberspace. To enhance efficiency and security, SDA partners with the government to develop innovative solutions that promote lawful and safe movement. We are seeking an early-career professional with strong data science fundamentals, a collaborative spirit, and a passion for applying analytics to real-world problems.
What you will do:
- Assist with data cleaning, preparation, and exploratory analysis of large and complex datasets.
- Support the development of predictive models and analytics solutions under the guidance of senior team members.
- Apply statistical and machine learning methods to identify patterns, anomalies, and trends.
- Contribute to building visualizations and dashboards to communicate insights to mission stakeholders.
- Work closely with more experienced data scientists and engineers to solve challenges where data-driven solutions can make an impact.
- Document processes, code, and results to support reproducibility and team collaboration.
Qualifications (Required):
- Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.
- 0–2 years of experience in data science, analytics, or related technical roles (internships, coursework, or project experience count).
- Basic proficiency in at least one programming language commonly used for data science (e.g., Python, R).
- Foundational knowledge of SQL for querying and manipulating data.
- Exposure to data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or Python libraries (e.g., matplotlib, seaborn, plotly).
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with machine learning techniques (e.g., regression, classification, clustering) through coursework, projects, or internships.
- Experience working with big data tools or cloud platforms (e.g., Spark, AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus but not required.
- Strong problem-solving skills and curiosity about applying analytics to mission-driven problems.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
Customer Requirements
- Clearance – DHS/CBP or be eligible to obtain one.
- U.S. Citizenship - Candidates will be required to have U.S. Citizenship.
Location
- hybrid option available (must live within the Washington DC metro area).
*** Position pending Contract Award***
About SDA
Systems Development and Analysis, Inc. (SDA) has decades of success making system concepts an operational reality for agencies on the front lines of homeland security, law enforcement and national defense.
We are focused on our clients’ missions and hold ourselves accountable for their operational success. We operate with independence and integrity so that we can provide unfettered advice. By understanding and appreciating their world, we earn the trust to innovate and apply leading edge technology on behalf of our clients.
SDA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. SDA is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid holidays
- Paid time off
- Referral program
Work Location: In person