Data Scientist SME

Firebird AST is seeking an onsite Data Scientist SME in Albuquerque, NM to assist the Nuclear Technologies Detection (NTD) Division in providing high-level expert A&AS support to the Defense Threat Reduction Information Analysis Center (DTRIAC). Must have Secret clearance and the ability to attain and hold a Top Secret clearance. Travel is expected (15% to 30%).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop new methods for extracting data/information from Department of Defense nuclear testing operations and translation of nuclear effects information for DoD, DOE, and Interagency stakeholders.
• Support general Nuclear Information Analysis Center (IAC) missions with external partners.
• Provide technical guidance to requests for support (RFS) and information retrieval related to nuclear weapon systems, testing, and simulation cases.
• Provide technical oversight for critical internal and external missions with performing contractors.
• Provide recommendations for technical solutions related to analysis, operations, and data manipulation with DTRIAC resources.
• Support the transformation of DTRIAC collection to a modern framework with a diverse team of technical disciplines.
• Analyze and recommending current and future mission needs to government and military management at various levels.
• Aide in optimizing the management of physical-to-digital data conversion within DTRIAC for various mission needs.
• Execute analytical studies with the Information Analysis Center.
• Identify of relevant data sources and sets for different types of users with understanding of the greater DTRIAC collection.
• Research and evaluate high performance computing tools, programs, and algorithms for future scientific technical data curation.
• Write and provide technical reports and white papers describing state-of-the-art technology and methodology research, evaluation, and recommendations.
• Travel: 15%-30%.
• Work with industry to share DTRA’s AL/ML/DS needs, facilitate discussions and demonstrations, and understand the state-of-the-art AI/ML/DS technologies offered by industry.
• Support the development of briefings, white papers, articles on DTRA’s AI/ML/DS work in response to DTRA senior leadership requests, VIP visits, RFIs/taskers, and other requests as required.
• Work with DTRA IT on data management efforts, and infrastructure needed for AI/ML/DS development and use.
• Support the deployment of AI/ML/DS capabilities within DTRA, as needed.

REQUIRED

• Secret clearance and the ability to attain and hold a Top Secret clearance; SCI eligible.
• Bachelor's degree in data science, computer science, or a related technical discipline with 6-10 years of experience.
• Familiarity with designing and managing IT infrastructure.
• Understand complex legacy systems, weapon effects, phenomenology, verification and validation tools, and niche mission needs ensures this role can properly support multiple portfolios of technical contribution.
• Proficient understanding of machine learning techniques and algorithms, such as k-NN, Naive Bayes, SVM, and Decision Forests, as well as modern large-language models (LLAMA, BERT, GPT, etc.).
• Experience with modern software development frameworks (DevSecOps, MLOps) and DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF), AI RMF, and/or Enterprise Risk Management.
• Understanding of nuclear weapon effects.
• Familiarity with designing and developing microservices ML architectures, and model and software containerization.
• Familiarity with program application interfaces (APIs) and cloud services (e.g., AWS, MS Azure).
• Experience transitioning legacy systems to cloud environment optimized applications.
• Ability to provide recommendations derived from complex set of requirements and work independently and complete tasking with minimum guidance and supervision.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, research-oriented group that has several concurrent projects.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office products and use of MS Teams, Workflows, and PowerBi.
• Excellent writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be able to travel 15%-30% of the time.

PREFERRED

• TS/SCI
• Master’s degree in data science, computer science, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience with federated machine learning and federated data processing and ingestion.
• Experience in DoD Dev/Sec/Ops delivery of software capabilities.
• Experience in nuclear weapon effects.
• Knowledge of the DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, reports, policy, legal documents, etc.
• Ability to prepare reports and presentations to company management and customers.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, strategic and innovative thinker, and passion for the mission.
• Ability to identify and solve problems.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, math/statistics, or related technical field.

CLEARANCE

• Active DoD Secret with ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI.

About Firebird AST:

Firebird AST is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) based in Northern Virginia and a market-recognized leader within the IC, Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and Law Enforcement. We maintain a corporate culture deeply rooted in the US Military core values that gave us our start - honor, integrity, commitment, and selfless service. For this reason, our customers' needs and missions always comes first. We seek hard working, highly experienced, extremely motivated, professionally proven subject matter experts, trainers, leaders, innovators, and technical experts to serve on our team. Firebird AST has a firm understanding that our employees are our greatest asset and that, accordingly, they are to be provided the greatest level of respect and care possible.

Firebird AST is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.