Senior Data Scientist

Position: Data Scientist

Series/Grade: NH-1560-III, (GS 12/13 Equivalency)

Salary: $90,961 - $140,616 (Please see pay charts for Colorado Springs and Huntsville, AL for more accurate numbers)

Org: United States Space Command, J008 Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office

Location: Colorado Springs (Position will move with the Command to Huntsville, AL at a date TBD)

Suspense: Resumes from interested candidates are due by COB 30 Jan 2026

PCS Entitlements: May be offered

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be offered

Telework: Situational Only

The United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) in Colorado Springs, CO is searching for a well-qualified candidate to fill a Data Scientist position for the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. Come join our amazing team who helps to ensure there is never a day without space!

The job is currently located in Colorado Springs, CO. There’s a reason Colorado Springs has ranked in the top 10 U.S. cities to live for the past several years. There is so much the Pikes Peak Region has to offer including beautiful mountain views, an abundance of recreational activities, good economic growth, top-rated schools, and lots of activities for families such as parks, museums, zoos, and more!

The United States Space Command will be relocated to Huntsville, AL. Exact timeline is unknown, but offers an opportunity to be part of the exciting effort to relocate US Space Command to beautiful Huntsville!

Description of Position: Serves as a data scientist for the USSPACECOM CDAO. Plans, develops, and establishes program guidance, assessments, requirements, and advisory services for the design, development, production and fielding of new and/or modified capabilities, plans, and exercise support. Responsible for end to end program oversight, test activities, design, development, and production across the organization.

Position Responsibilities:

• Plans, organizes, and directs the development, deployment, and maintenance of applications utilizing low-code platforms and AI/ML tools, ensuring alignment with United Space Command's strategic objectives and CDAO guidance.
• Develops and implements data science solutions to enhance command capabilities, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and best practices.
• Represents the CDAO and maintains relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including General Officer/Flag Officer (GO/FO) audiences, to communicate project progress, gather requirements, and foster collaboration.
• Accountable for the full application development lifecycle, from initial concept to production deployment and ongoing support, ensuring efficient resource utilization and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Implements and directs best practices in low-code development, AI/ML integration, and data visualization to optimize application performance, user experience, and data-driven decision-making.
• Contributes to command reporting, providing insightful analysis and clear, concise summaries of project outcomes, impact, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Directs user training initiatives, empowering command personnel to effectively utilize new applications and tools, maximizing their operational value and ensuring widespread adoption.

Desired Skills/Expertise:

• Mastery knowledge of data science principles, application development methodologies, and AI/ML techniques, with the ability to translate complex concepts into practical solutions.
• In-depth knowledge of low-code development platforms, data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau), and programming languages (e.g., Python) relevant to application development and data analysis.
• Expertise in developing and delivering applications that are aligned with command objectives and operational requirements.
• Ability to analyze, plan, organize, and direct application development projects, ensuring alignment with resource constraints and strategic priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including senior military leaders and technical experts.
• Prior experience developing and deploying applications in a Department of Defense (DoD) environment is highly desired. Familiarity with DoD policies, procedures, and security protocols is essential.
• Experience working with Palantir Foundry or similar data integration platforms is highly valued.
• Understanding of AI/ML capabilities and use cases within the context of command operations is desired.

Qualification Requirements: **Refer to OPM Qualification Standards for information on required position series/education requirements at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/data-science-series-1560/

Basic Requirements:

1. Degree: Mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position.

or

1. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance
• Position requires drug testing
• Occasional travel away from regular duty location may be required.
• May be required to work irregular duty hours including evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

The federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. Below is a brief overview:

• Health, Dental, Vision, and Long Term Care Insurance (large variety of plan options available)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Vacation - New employees start out with 4 hours of annual leave per pay period (13 days/year); after 3 years it is 6 hours per pay period (19.5 days/year); after 15 years it is 8 hours per pay period (26 days/year).
• Sick Leave Accrual - In addition to annual leave, everyone accrues 4 hours of sick leave per pay period (13 days per year) for the entirety of their career.
• Federal Employee Retirement System
• Roth & Traditional Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) - similar to private sector 401(k). The govt matches the first 3% of your contributions dollar for dollar and the following 2% are matched at $0.50 to each dollar you contribute. Visit www.tsp.gov for more info.