Lead Data Scientist

B&A • SUITLAND, MD

51m

About The Position

At B&A, we foster and embrace a distinct set of values that we live by and instill in all aspects of our organization: dedication, commitment, partnership, trust, and recognition. We have incorporated these values into successful delivery for our customers since 1988. B&A believes in ensuring its employees feel deeply connected to B&A, recognizing successes and hard work, and providing continuous opportunities to learn and grow. Our people are entrepreneurial thinkers that combine mindset, vision, and experience to drive value – not only to us as an organization, but to the clients we support. We promote a collaborative culture with our clients, and with each other, as one team working towards a common vision. We’d love for you to join our team! We are seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME)–level Lead Data Scientist to leverage cutting-edge techniques to extract insights and patterns from large and complex datasets for the U.S. Census Bureau’s Decennial Transformation and Application Modernization (DTAM) effort. This role provides technical and management leadership on major advanced data science assignments, developing advanced algorithms, models, and frameworks using machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and generative AI / large language models. The Lead Data Scientist ensures AI/ML products are safe, trustworthy, explainable, and compliant with the NIST AI Framework and Census Bureau policies. Decision-making and domain knowledge may have a critical impact on overall program implementation. May supervise others.

Requirements

• PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field — mandatory
• 15+ years of experience providing technical and management leadership on major data science assignments (SME level)
• Expert proficiency in Python, R, SAS, and SQL and associated data science libraries and tools
• Demonstrated experience developing and operationalizing ML, deep learning, NLP, and generative AI / LLM models
• Strong background in predictive modeling, time series analysis, anomaly detection, and feature engineering
• Experience creating and using synthetic data and privacy-preserving data techniques
• Working knowledge of the NIST AI Framework and responsible/ethical AI practices
• U.S. Citizenship required

Nice To Haves

• Experience transitioning data science capabilities from pilot to production (MLOps / LLMOps)
• Familiarity with differential privacy, federated learning, and secure multi-party computation
• Experience with large-scale federal statistical or survey data programs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including manuscript preparation and executive briefing to senior Government stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced algorithms, models, and frameworks leveraging machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, natural language processing, and generative AI / large language models (LLMs)
• Manage all activities to align with current advanced analytics and data science standards as defined by Decennial, the USCB, and industry best practices
• Support the transition of advanced analytics and data science capabilities from pilot to production and maintain them in the production environment
• Develop descriptive and predictive models for survey efforts, including time series, anomaly detection, semi-supervised, active, and reinforcement learning frameworks
• Conduct data cleaning, filtering, transformation, and feature engineering to create machine-learning-ready datasets
• Create, maintain, and use synthetic data to support the full lifecycle of advanced data science
• Follow AI regulation and ethical principles in accordance with the NIST AI Framework to manage AI risk and ensure model trustworthiness
• Ensure AI products are safe, secure, explainable, interpretable, privacy-enhanced, fair, valid, reliable, accountable, and transparent
• Develop, document, and test prototypes and proofs-of-concept leveraging advanced data science
• Evaluate trained models with multiple performance metrics, appropriate test sets, and learning curves
• Develop and maintain data science documentation, including analysis plans, technical reports, user manuals, and best-practice templates

Benefits

• three robust individual and family medical plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA) option
• two tiers of dental coverage
• vision
• life & AD&D
• disability
• accident
• hospital indemnity
• critical illness insurance
• paid time off
• B&A sponsored trainings and certifications
• pet insurance benefits
• commuter transit benefits
• free subscription to a virtual exercise platform (NEOU)
• 401(k) plan with company matching contribution
• The B&A Cares program: 30/60/90-day wellness check ins, personal development, financial management, and stress management seminars, and more
• A formal mentorship program
• Job shadowing and cross training opportunities
• Brand Ambassador program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Access to various support resources to include counseling, legal guidance, financial planning, and more
• Monthly teambuilding events
• B&A Annual Wellness Challenges: #StepWithB&A, #WalkDuringLunchWithB&A, #VolunteeringWithB&A, #ExerciseDuringLunchWithB&A, and more

What This Job Offers

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