Applied Scientist Jobs in Virginia

Applied Scientist jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense and intelligence technology, cloud computing, and federal data analytics, with openings at every level from entry-level research associate through principal and staff scientist. The heaviest hiring is in Northern Virginia, the Richmond metro, and the Charlottesville corridor, where anchors like Amazon Web Services, Leidos, and Booz Allen Hamilton maintain large technical workforces. The most in-demand specialties are machine learning, natural language processing, and applied statistics supporting defense and commercial cloud programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Applied Scientist Jobs

Overview

Open roles7
Top employerAmazon
Top cityArlington, VA
Cities hiring2
Work type100% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 7+ Applied Scientist jobs

Amazon.com
Applied Scientist, AWS Security
We won't show you this job again
Amazon.com
Added 3d ago
Applied Scientist, AWS Security
Amazon.com
Arlington, Virginia
Compliance & Risk
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Operations
Security Engineering
$143k - $193k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Vantor
Principal Applied Scientist - TS/SCI
We won't show you this job again
Vantor
Added 1w ago
Principal Applied Scientist - TS/SCI
Vantor
Herndon, Virginia
IT Support
Project Management
Technical Program Management
$140k - $206k/yr
On-Site
Doctoral degree in statistics
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Amazon Web Services
Applied Scientist , AWS Marketing Science
We won't show you this job again
Amazon Web Services
Added 1w ago
Applied Scientist , AWS Marketing Science
Amazon Web Services
Arlington, Virginia
Data Analytics
Data Science
Research & Academia
$143k - $223k/yr
Master's degree

Have you applied for this role?

Booz Allen Hamilton
Applied Data Scientist
We won't show you this job again
Booz Allen Hamilton
Added 2mo ago
Applied Data Scientist
Booz Allen Hamilton
Arlington, Virginia
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Data Science & Analytics
ML (Machine Learning)
$99k - $225k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Muon Space
Senior Applied Scientist, Geospatial
We won't show you this job again
Muon Space
Added 3mo ago
Senior Applied Scientist, Geospatial
Muon Space
Virginia
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Data Science & Analytics
ML (Machine Learning)
$123k - $176k/yr
Master's degree in physics

Have you applied for this role?

See All 7 Applied Scientist Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Applied Scientist Jobs

Applied Scientist Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Arlington
5 jobs
Herndon
1 job

Applied Scientist Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Amazon
Amazon3 open roles
Vantor
Vantor1 open role
Muon Space
Muon Space1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in applied scientist jobs across Virginia.

  • Master's or PhD in computer science, statistics, or a related quantitative field
  • Demonstrated experience building and deploying machine learning models in production environments
  • Proficiency in Python and machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn
  • Experience working with large-scale distributed data systems or cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure
  • Ability to obtain or maintain a U.S. security clearance, required by many Virginia defense contractors
  • Strong communication skills to translate complex model outputs for non-technical stakeholders

Applied Scientist Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a applied scientist in Virginia?

Applied scientist roles in Virginia do not require a state-issued license, but employers consistently expect at least a master's degree in computer science, applied mathematics, statistics, or engineering, with a PhD preferred for senior positions. Most Virginia employers in the defense and cloud sectors also expect hands-on project experience, a portfolio of deployed models, and familiarity with cloud infrastructure. Candidates targeting federal contractor roles in Northern Virginia should begin the security clearance process early, as it can take several months to complete.

How much do applied scientists make in Virginia?

Applied scientists in Virginia earn a median of about $126,430 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $76,420 for the lowest 10% to over $207,890 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire applied scientists in Virginia?

Employers hiring applied scientists in Virginia right now include Amazon, Vantor, and Muon Space, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors means many openings are tied to government programs, so clearance-eligible candidates tend to find a broader range of roles across the state.

Which Virginia cities have the most applied scientist jobs?

The cities with the most applied scientist openings in Virginia are Arlington, Virginia, and Herndon. Northern Virginia dominates because of its dense cluster of cloud infrastructure campuses and federal intelligence and defense contractors, while Richmond and Charlottesville draw hiring from university research programs and state government technology initiatives.

Are there remote applied scientist jobs in Virginia?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 0% of applied scientist openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the desk-based, computational nature of the work. Roles focused on modeling, research, and data analysis are the most likely to offer full or partial remote arrangements, while positions requiring access to classified systems or sensitive government facilities typically require on-site presence.

How can I get hired as a applied scientist in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through a research assistant or associate scientist role, which large Virginia employers like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and MITRE hire into directly from graduate programs. Internships and co-op programs tied to Virginia Tech, George Mason University, and the University of Virginia regularly convert to full-time offers. Candidates transitioning from adjacent roles such as data analyst, research engineer, or software engineer strengthen their applications by building a public project portfolio and pursuing cloud certifications relevant to the AWS or Azure ecosystems dominant in Northern Virginia.

Where can I find and apply to applied scientist jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to applied scientist jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings updated regularly. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 7 Applied Scientist Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Applied Scientist Jobs