Data Scientist Principal – UCI Schema & Mission-Level C2 Focus

SAIC • Beale AFB, CA

8h • $160,001 - $200,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

As the Data Scientist Principal, you will play a critical role in advancing mission-level Command & Control (C2) capabilities by leveraging your expertise in UCI schema and standardized, interoperable data exchanges. Your primary responsibility is to ensure compliance, integration, and secure system design for UCI-related Air Force operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and nine (9) years or more experience; Master’s and seven (7) years or more; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more. Relevant experience may substitute for degree.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• 5+ years of experience in software engineering with IC, DoD, and/or commercial space architectures, systems, or operations.
• Demonstrated experience as a contributor to the UCI standard or as an implementer of UCI-adopting systems.
• Proven ability to define and implement system behaviors through UCI schema.
• Deep understanding of interoperability and integration challenges in defense systems, especially those related to UCI.
• Familiarity with Command & Control use cases, behaviors, and methods, with direct experience in requirements analysis and system design in a government context.
• Experience with Systems Engineering, Requirements Elicitation and Management, Integration, and Test Activities on complex systems (e.g., DoD Weapon Systems, Space Systems).
• Hands-on experience with data analytics, machine learning, and statistical methods, including modern AI/ML techniques.
• Outstanding communication skills for presenting technical artifacts and coordinating within high-tempo environments.
• Strong initiative, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the analysis and correction of UCI schema, ensuring all UCI messages are compliant, interoperable, and aligned with mission-level C2 requirements.
• Design, manage, and integrate data sets that utilize UCI schema for efficient, secure, and interoperable data flow across existing and emerging Air Force programs.
• Evaluate and enhance data quality, reliability, and efficiency, with a focus on UCI message lifecycle and schema adherence.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including data scientists, software developers, operators, and project managers—to implement and optimize UCI schema in predictive modeling and operational platforms.
• Document and improve internal processes related to UCI schema use, optimizing data delivery and automating manual tasks.
• Support testing, validation, and quality assurance procedures for UCI-enabled platforms, including gathering user feedback, identifying schema-related issues, and performing updates.
• Develop technical documentation and reporting that details UCI schema integration, system specifications, and modifications.
• Ensure compliance with Air Force regulations and promote ethical, secure use of UCI-enabled platforms and data repositories.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree