Data Scientist -Geospatial

Graham Technologies•Herndon, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Graham Technologies is seeking a highly skilled Geospatial Quality Assurance Engineer / Data Scientist to support a mission-critical, cloud-based geospatial data platform for a federal intelligence community customer. The role combines software quality assurance expertise with geospatial data knowledge, cloud technologies, and hands-on validation of complex data systems. As a primary testing and quality assurance lead, the selected candidate will ensure the reliability, accuracy, performance, and usability of geospatial data pipelines, cloud services, APIs, and GIS applications. The role works closely with software developers, cloud engineers, and government stakeholders on testing, defect resolution, user acceptance testing, and continuous improvement. The position is based in Herndon, Virginia, and designated government customer facilities. Approximately 70% of the work is expected to take place in a classified environment and 30% in an unclassified environment. Work must be performed on-site in a secure environment. AWS Green Badge access is required, and eligible candidates may complete the crossover process. Active customer accounts are preferred, and candidates must meet applicable customer facility and system access requirements.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI clearance with CI Polygraph.
Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Information Systems, GIS, Geography, Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent experience may be considered.
Typically 3 or more years of professional software quality assurance or testing experience, preferably supporting data-intensive or geospatial applications.
Demonstrated experience with integration, end-to-end, regression, and user acceptance testing.
Experience developing test plans, test cases, test reports, and requirements traceability matrices.
Proficiency with Jira, Xray, Zephyr, TestRail, or comparable test management tools.
Experience testing REST APIs using Postman, curl, or automated testing scripts.
Working knowledge of SQL for data validation and backend verification.
Understanding of GIS fundamentals, including coordinate reference systems, projections, datums, and vector/raster data models.
Experience with ArcGIS Pro and/or QGIS.
Familiarity with AWS cloud services and cloud-hosted application architectures.
Knowledge of Git and multi-environment software release processes.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and technical writing skills.
Experience collaborating directly with government stakeholders or end users.
Ability to work on-site in a secure environment.
Must be able to meet applicable customer facility and system access requirements.
AWS Green Badge access is required; eligible candidates may complete the crossover process.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing automated tests using Python, pytest, Selenium, or Playwright.
Experience with PostGIS and spatial SQL.
Experience with performance and load testing tools such as JMeter, Locust, or k6.
Familiarity with AWS Lambda, ECS, SQS/SNS, and Aurora PostgreSQL.
Experience supporting DoD or intelligence community software programs.
Knowledge of Risk Management Framework (RMF), Authority to Operate (ATO), and security accreditation documentation.
ISTQB, CSTE, AWS Cloud Practitioner, or Esri technical certifications.
CompTIA Security+ or another applicable DoD 8140 baseline certification for positions requiring privileged system access.
Active customer accounts.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute test strategies, plans, test cases, and requirements traceability matrices.
Conduct integration, end-to-end, regression, functional, and user acceptance testing.
Validate cloud-based geospatial data ingestion, transformation, storage, and retrieval processes.
Identify, document, prioritize, and track software defects through resolution.
Collaborate with engineering teams to troubleshoot technical issues and verify corrective actions.
Monitor testing metrics, defect trends, and release readiness.
Validate geospatial datasets for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and integrity.
Test coordinate reference systems, map projections, datums, spatial relationships, geometry validity, geospatial attributes, and spatial query results.
Work with vector and raster data formats, including GeoJSON and Shapefiles, and use SQL to validate database records, transformations, and data quality.
Support testing and validation of geospatial services integrated with ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, and other GIS applications.
Test RESTful APIs and cloud-hosted data services for accuracy, security, reliability, and performance.
Support troubleshooting of AWS services and validate data flows across cloud-based ingestion pipelines and distributed applications.
Use Postman, curl, or scripted testing tools to verify API functionality and error handling.
Collaborate with DevOps teams to support testing across development, staging, and production environments.
Plan, coordinate, and lead user acceptance testing sessions with government customers and mission users.
Translate operational requirements into executable test scenarios and advocate for end-user usability and system functionality.
Communicate technical findings and recommendations to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
Support release planning, customer demonstrations, and acceptance activities.
Develop and maintain test plans, test reports, data dictionaries, and requirements traceability documentation.
Prepare user guides, release notes, and system documentation, and develop and deliver end-user training.
Support documentation for security accreditation, audits, and release approvals.