Data Scientist SME – Enterprise Mission Automation (Process Disruption)
At a glance
Mid-level Data Science role at Leidos. Fort Meade · full-time · $154,050–$278,475 base.
dataroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Build rapid prototypes that replace slow manual workflows with automated processes running in minutes
- Apply statistical methods and machine learning to improve enterprise queries, data curation and ingestion
- Create automation playbooks and API connections for mission-support systems, including TACMS and Maven Smart System
- Deploy enterprise pipelines with Ansible, SaltStack and GitLab CI/CD, using Python, Go and PowerShell
- Coach senior technical staff, review code and lead shifts toward automated work
What you bring
- At least fifteen years in data science, advanced analytics, enterprise architecture or technical operations
- Five to seven years focused on workflow automation, process redesign, DevSecOps or hands-on optimization in DoD or the Intelligence Community
- At least three years guiding senior technologists, reviewing code and advancing automation practices
- A bachelor's degree in data science, computer science or software engineering
- An active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph
Who this fits
This role suits a senior technical practitioner who can prototype and deploy automation while mentoring experienced technologists. It is fully on-site in a SCIF at Fort Meade, Maryland, and requires a TS/SCI clearance with polygraph. The stated annual pay range is $154,050 to $278,475.
From the employer
Mission Overview
The Leidos Intel Sector is seeking an Eminent Expert Data Scientist and Mission Automation SME to disrupt ordinary ways of doing business across the command. Your core mission is to eliminate corporate and operational latency. You will challenge legacy workflows, transforming manual processes that take hours or days into optimized, automated pipelines executing in minutes. As a Technical Transformation Leader, you will architect rapid-prototype solutions, deploy cutting-edge AI, and mentor senior technologists to achieve business and mission operations at wire speed.
Core Technical Requirements
AI & Agentic Frameworks: Production-level scaling of autonomous workflows using LangGraph, CrewAI, or AutoGPT to replace manual decision trees and administrative bottlenecks.
Workflow Algorithmic Automation: Applying data science methodologies, statistical modeling, and machine learning to optimize enterprise queries, data curation, and ingestion pipelines.
Orchestration & Business Logic: Engineering and finalizing complex playbooks within automation platforms (SOAR tools, low-code/no-code enterprise suites) to disrupt manual business processing.
Automation Tooling: Mastery of Ansible, SaltStack, and GitLab CI/CD for mission-critical enterprise pipeline deployment.
Scripting & Development: Professional-grade mastery of Python, Go, and PowerShell for rapid prototype development of business tools.
Mission Orchestration: Engineering custom API integrations for unified mission-support systems, including TACMS and Maven Smart System.
Experience & Leadership
Total Experience: 15+ years in Data Science, Advanced Analytics, Enterprise Architecture, or Technical Operations.
Specialized Experience: 5–7 years focused on workflow automation, business process re-engineering (BPR), DevSecOps, or "Hands on Keyboard" (HOK) optimization within the DoD or Intelligence Community (IC).
Technical Leadership: 3+ years mentoring senior technologists, conducting code reviews, and driving cultural change toward automation.
Education & Certifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or Software Engineering. Master’s or PhD in AI, Machine Learning, or Computational Engineering highly preferred to match algorithmic optimization needs.
Preferred Certifications: Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional, or HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate.
Military Equivalency: Documented technical leadership in enterprise modernization, data governance, or automated operations within a cyber/technical framework.
Clearance & Location
Clearance: TS/SCI with Polygraph required.
Location: Fort Meade, MD (100% On-site / SCIF).
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
July 16, 2026For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
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