Data Scientist

Data Scientist - AI/ML & Generative AI

Location: The Pentagon DC (Hybrid) - candidate must be within commuting distance for regular on-site engagements.

Clearance Requirement: Must have at least a Secret security clearance. Top-Secret clearance eligibility may be required as the company transitions to higher-level classified programs.

Teksouth is a recognized leader in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics solutions for the federal government. With a reputation for excellence and innovation Teksouth is a trusted partner across the defense sector dedicated to being the indispensable architect of intelligent enterprise. We are committed to fundamentally transforming how organizations operate make decisions and innovate across every critical function moving beyond traditional data reporting to deliver strategic predictive and actionable insights.

Position Overview - Teksouth is seeking a Data Scientist for a foundational hands-on role at the forefront of our innovation agenda responsible for implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Machine Learning (ML) and Generative AI (GenAI) activities for our customers. The successful candidate will drive the maturation of our core data analytics offerings by identifying validating and scaling new revenue-generating opportunities across our defense federal and commercial client base. This role reports directly to Teksouths CTO team and Principal Data Scientist and will serve as a senior technical contributor to client engagements with significant autonomy in executing AI/ML solutions within established strategic and technical scope.

Key Responsibilities and Impact

1. Strategy Vision and Client Engagement

• End-to-End Solution Development: Proactively identify and scope high-impact GenAI/ML applications (e.g. text generation code synthesis predictive maintenance anomaly detection) for client engagements working with the Principal Data Scientist to prioritize opportunities relevant to client business requirements and pain points.
• Proposal Development: Translate complex technical concepts into clear concise and compelling business cases for executive leadership contributing to and collaborating on the technical sections of proposals (RFPs RFIs) that outline AI/ML solutions.

B. Solution Architecture and Deployment

• Solution Architecture and Implementation: Design and architect end-to-end GenAI/ML solutions for client engagements including selecting and customizing appropriate models (LLMs transformers etc.) and defining scalable integration strategies for embedding AI into existing enterprise client systems (ERP CRM) and ensuring scalable maintainable solutions.
• MLOps and Implementation: Implement the required Teksouth technology stack tools and best practices for MLOps (Machine Learning Operations) ensuring models are scalable reliable and compliant. Provide recommendations to Teksouths CTO team for stack improvements for client engagements.
• Technical Ownership and Deployment: Own complete technical lifecycle for assigned AL/ML engagements from initial scoping to production deployment and sustainment. Balance technical tasks such as architectural decisions with project tasks such as schedule risks and stakeholder management.

C. Governance Compliance and Client Engagement

• Compliance and Documentation: Ensure all AL/ML solutions adhere to responsible AI principles maintain documentation and provide audit trails in accordance with Teksouths established standards.
• Client Engagement: Serve as primary technical POC for client engagement leading technical work requirements gathering and client-facing deliverables. Present technical approaches and results to stakeholders including government program managers SMEs and leadership. Support the Teksouth CTO team in executive-level briefings and planning sessions.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Technical & Foundational Requirements

• Experience: 7 years of progressive experience delivering machine learning or AI solutions with at least 3 years in a project or workstream ownership role focused on architecture development and delivery.
• Education: Masters degree (or equivalent experience) in Data Science Computer Science Engineering or a related quantitative field. A PhD is preferred.
• Languages & Tools: Expert proficiency in Python (PyTorch TensorFlow HuggingFace) and SQL.
• AI/ML Expertise: Deep understanding of a wide range of ML models (deep learning NLP time-series clustering) and demonstrated accomplishments in GenAI models and approaches (LLMs transformers prompt engineering).
• Deployment: Expert proficiency in ML pipelines and cloud-based deployment (AWS SageMaker Azure ML Google AI Platform) with experience integrating AI into enterprise applications via APIs.

Strategic & Leadership Requirements

• B2G/Defense Experience (Strongly Preferred): Proven experience successfully applying data science solutions within the Department of Defense (DoD) or large Federal Civilian agencies.
• Compliance Knowledge: Understanding of the unique data privacy security and compliance requirements (e.g. FedRAMP CUI DoD ILs) and mapping technology to business goals under these regulations.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to create and deliver high-quality executive reports dashboards and training.
• Work Style: Independent thinker who can create the vision and execute on transforming data into high-end client products.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with comprehensive medical dental and vision coverage.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.
• 401k w/Match
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) participation
• PTO & Paid Holidays

Reasonable Accommodations: Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Teksouth values and engages in the diversity of its teammates customers and business partners.

EOE race/color/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/disability/vet

Required Experience:

IC