Senior Data Scientist - Defense & Aerospace Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Senior Data Scientist to develop advanced analytics and AI solutions for national security and space missions. You will design and deploy machine learning and statistical models, lead end-to-end data science projects, and collaborate with domain experts to deliver decision-quality insights. In APL's mission-driven, research-focused culture, you'll explore cutting-edge methods, publish and prototype, mentor junior staff, and help shape ethical, high-impact AI systems that address critical national and global challenges.
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and validate advanced machine learning and statistical models for defense and aerospace applications
- Lead end-to-end data science projects from problem framing through deployment and transition to sponsors
- Collaborate with engineers, analysts, and mission experts to translate complex operational needs into analytic solutions
- Mentor and guide junior data scientists, promoting best practices in coding, modeling, and documentation
- Prototype, evaluate, and communicate novel AI approaches through reports, briefings, and, when appropriate, publications
- Ensure models are robust, explainable, and aligned with ethical and responsible AI principles
- Work with software and systems engineers to operationalize models in real-world environments
- Engage with sponsors to define requirements, present results, and shape future research directions
Required Skills
- Machine learning (supervised, unsupervised, and deep learning)
- Statistical modeling and inference
- Python programming (Num
- Py, pandas, scikit-learn, Py
- Torch/Tensor
- Flow)
- Data engineering and ETL for analytics
- MLOps and model deployment (CI/CD, containers, cloud)
- Bayesian methods and probabilistic modeling
- Experiment design and A/B testing
- Natural language processing or computer vision (preferred)
- Big data tools (Spark, distributed computing)
- Domain knowledge in defense, aerospace, or national security analytics