Lead Computer Scientist

Defense Finance and Accounting Service•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

The Lead Computer Scientist serves as a senior technical authority and team leader for a group of professional Computer Scientists at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). The role leads research, design, development, and integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) solutions that deliver high-impact, efficient, and effective services supporting the DFAS mission. The position involves advanced professional work researching, developing, testing, prototyping, integrating, and improving AI/ML-enabled products, services, and systems. The Lead Computer Scientist guides workload and task distribution among team members according to established workflow, employees’ skill levels, and occupational specializations. The role also conducts complex experiments, analyzes results, develops predictive or classification models, evaluates model performance, and recommends technically feasible solutions. The position is being filled through the Department of Defense Direct Hire Authority and may be permanent or term, with a full-time or part-time schedule. Pay varies by geographic location. Travel is seldom, and telework availability depends on mission requirements and supervisory determination. Moving expenses may be paid. The position requires a background investigation and favorable security determination; it may require access to classified information and a secret clearance or higher. A one-year probationary period may be required.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
A bachelor's degree in computer science, or a bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science; at least 15 of those hours must include mathematics and statistics coursework that includes differential and integral calculus.
Academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions; copies of transcripts must be submitted.
One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to GS-13 in the federal service.
Specialized experience with computer science theories, modeling, design, research techniques, computer system architecture, and software organization.
Experience with design, development, research, transformation, and integration of computing applications and information systems structures related to AI-enabled capabilities, products, and systems.
Experience with cloud computing best practices and architectures, Large and Small Language Models, and OpenAI.
Meet applicable time-in-grade, specialized experience, education, and other qualification requirements.
Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements.
Obtain and maintain a favorable security determination; the position may require access to classified information and a secret clearance or higher.
Complete applicable DoD 8140 foundational qualifications within 9 months and residential qualification requirements within 12 months, if required.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior technical authority and team leader for a group of professional Computer Scientists.
Lead the research, design, development, and integration of AI and ML solutions supporting the DFAS mission.
Guide the identification, distribution, and balancing of employee workloads and tasks based on workflow, skill level, and occupational specialization.
Research, develop, test, prototype, integrate, and improve AI/ML-enabled products, services, and systems.
Conduct complex experiments and analyze experimental results.
Develop predictive or classification models and evaluate model performance.
Recommend technically feasible solutions.