Principal Discovery Specialist

Nyla Technology Solutions•Annapolis Junction, MD

About The Position

Team Nyla is seeking a Data Scientist / Advanced Discovery Specialist with an analyst, targeteer, or signals intelligence background to support defense and intelligence customer missions. The role combines machine learning, analytical prototyping, custom scripting, data visualization, and specialized TechSIGINT tools to provide advanced discovery support. The specialist analyzes complex datasets, performs statistical analysis, and builds automation workflows and models to identify hidden patterns and high-value targets. The position calls for adaptability in learning and integrating new tools and techniques as mission needs evolve, and for bringing innovative discovery techniques to operational users. An active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required. The annual base salary range is $152,000–$180,000 USD. This range excludes discretionary bonus compensation and the benefits package. Compensation may vary based on factors including geographic location, experience, education, and skill level.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph.
Prior operational experience as an intelligence analyst, targeteer, or discovery specialist, with deep familiarity in operational intelligence workflows.
Applied experience using machine learning models, statistical analysis, and analytical prototyping for operational discovery across complex, high-volume datasets.
Hands-on experience with specialized TechSIGINT tools, signals analysis suites, and technical data sources for targeting and threat discovery.
Strong practical programming skills in Python or R for custom tool development, rapid prototyping, workflow automation, and data parsing.
Proficiency in creating dynamic data visualizations and dashboards for communicating complex statistical trends and discovery leads to non-technical stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to learn, adapt to, and integrate emerging software tools, techniques, and technologies into operational workflows.
One of the following education and experience combinations: bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Computational Linguistics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline plus 7+ years of professional experience in data science, NLP, or software engineering; master’s degree in a related field plus 5+ years of relevant professional experience; or high school diploma/GED plus 11+ years of specialized technical experience in lieu of a degree.

Nice To Haves

Experience with distributed data frameworks such as Apache Spark or Hadoop and cloud-native analytics platforms.
Advanced proficiency in SQL and NoSQL databases for complex querying and data preparation.
Familiarity with graph analytics, link analysis, and network visualizers such as Gephi, NetworkX, Maltego, or Palantir.
Extensive experience rapidly prototyping analytical models in Jupyter Notebooks or interactive data science environments.

Responsibilities

Analyze complex, high-volume datasets and perform statistical analysis for operational discovery.
Apply machine learning models and analytical prototyping to uncover patterns and high-value targets.
Develop custom tools and rapidly prototype solutions using Python or R.
Automate workflows and parse data to support operational missions.
Use specialized TechSIGINT tools, signals analysis suites, and technical data sources for targeting and threat discovery.
Create visualizations and dashboards to communicate statistical trends and discovery leads to non-technical stakeholders.
Adapt and integrate emerging tools, techniques, and technologies into operational workflows.