SME Data Scientist Lead

SAIC•Scott Afb, IL

23h•Onsite

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Data Scientist Lead to support the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Joint Distribution Process Analysis Center (JDPAC V) at Scott AFB, Illinois. The role serves as lead data scientist and principal technical advisor for advanced analytics and data engineering initiatives across the Department of Defense sustainment supply chain and global distribution enterprise. As USTRANSCOM transitions from legacy on-premises Teradata systems to cloud environments, including Palantir/Maven Smart System and AWS/War Data Platform, the role leads the architecture, development, and operationalization of analytical models and decision-support tools. It combines technical leadership, hands-on data science, and stakeholder collaboration to support global mobility, deployment, and distribution operations. The position leads cloud modernization and analytical strategy; designs and governs data pipelines and ontologies; develops statistical, operations research, and machine-learning capabilities; and builds dashboards, decision-support applications, automated workflows, and operational prototypes. It also delivers briefings and technical documentation, mentors a multidisciplinary analytics team, and coordinates requirements with logistics subject-matter experts, data stewards, and cloud engineers in an agile delivery framework. This is a full-time, on-site, day-shift role at Scott AFB, IL, with travel of approximately 10%. An active DoD Secret clearance and U.S. citizenship are required. The stated target salary range is $140,001–$180,000.

Requirements

Active DoD Secret clearance; no higher clearance is required or listed.
U.S. citizenship.
Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Operations Research, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field, plus 10 or more years of progressive experience in data science, advanced analytics, or operations research; alternatively, a master’s degree plus 8 or more years of experience.
Proficiency in SQL and relational database concepts, including enterprise data architectures and migration patterns such as Teradata-to-cloud migrations.
Hands-on experience with modern cloud analytical ecosystems such as AWS or Palantir.
Advanced proficiency in Python for data engineering, statistical modeling, and machine learning.
Practical experience applying linear or nonlinear optimization, simulation, network analysis, or predictive modeling to complex operational problems.
Experience building self-service dashboards and decision-support tools using Microsoft Power BI, Qlik, and/or cloud-native analytics platforms such as Databricks or Palantir.
Experience automating workflows and notifications using Microsoft Power Automate.
Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, manage sprint backlogs, and communicate advanced analytical concepts to non-technical operational stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or Ph.D. in Operations Research, Data Science, or Applied Mathematics.
Hands-on experience with the Palantir/Maven Smart System ecosystem, including Workshop, Contour, Quiver, Foundry, or ontology management.
Hands-on experience with the AWS/War Data Platform ecosystem.
Familiarity with DoD sustainment supply chain, joint deployment, and transportation systems such as IGC, GATES, GDSS, CMOS, GFM, and IBS.
Experience deploying MLOps pipelines within DoD enterprise cloud environments.
Agile certifications or experience leading data science efforts within Agile/DevSecOps frameworks.

Responsibilities

Serve as the lead data science subject-matter expert, advising USTRANSCOM leadership and JDPAC stakeholders on analytic strategy, modern data architecture, and cloud adoption.
Lead migration of legacy Teradata analytical workflows and pipelines to enterprise cloud environments, primarily Palantir/Maven Smart System and AWS/War Data Platform.
Translate operational, distribution, and supply-chain questions into mathematical models, predictive algorithms, and automated analytical pipelines.
Design, implement, and govern data pipelines and ontologies across AWS and Palantir environments.
Ingest, harmonize, and curate enterprise-scale logistics data from DoD transportation and supply systems, including IGC and affiliated distribution feeds.
Build data transformations and workflows using modern cloud data tools and Power Automate to streamline recurring reporting.
Develop and deploy statistical, operations research, and machine-learning solutions for sustainment supply-chain readiness, capacity constraints, and network distribution dynamics.
Develop demand forecasting, network and multimodal route optimization, port throughput and bottleneck analysis, and supply-chain vulnerability, risk, and resilience modeling capabilities.
Deliver operational prototypes and simulation tools that evaluate time, cost, asset visibility, and mission trade-offs under changing conditions.
Build interactive decision-support applications, dashboards, and exploratory tools using Palantir Workshop, Contour, Quiver, Qlik, Databricks, and Microsoft Power BI.
Implement automated data alerts, workflows, and process integrations using Power Automate.
Deliver executive briefings, technical documentation, and visual narratives to senior military and civilian leaders.
Lead and mentor data scientists, operations research analysts, and data engineers in analytics engineering, version control, and collaborative development practices.
Coordinate cross-functional requirements with logistics subject-matter experts, data stewards, and cloud engineers in an agile delivery framework.
Manage sprint backlogs and communicate advanced analytical concepts to non-technical operational stakeholders.