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.
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DESCRIPTION
You'll collaborate with software engineers, security engineers, and fellow scientists to:
- Analyze large-scale security data using statistical methods and data mining techniques
- Create automated systems for real-time pattern recognition and risk assessment
- Build data pipelines and ETL processes to handle massive security datasets
- Translate complex analytical findings into actionable security insights
We use the full power of AWS technologies, including Amazon SageMaker, EMR, and other ML/AI services to protect every AWS customer from security threats. Experience with Python and a strong background in statistical analysis and machine learning are essential.
We're looking for a new teammate who is enthusiastic, empathetic, curious, motivated, reliable, and able to work effectively with a diverse team of peers. We want someone who will help us amplify the positive & inclusive team culture we've been building.
We understand that life is dynamic and we have a flexible work environment that enables individuals to adjust their work schedule to accommodate personal needs. Our team is distributed, though most of the team is located in Maryland and Virginia. We generally keep core business hours of 10:00 AM EST - 3:00 PM EST, while allowing flexibility as needed. At AWS Security, it’s not about clocking hours, it’s about delivering results.
On-Call Responsibility
This position involves on-call responsibilities, typically for one week every two months. We don’t like getting paged in the middle of the night or on the weekend, so we work to ensure that our systems are fault tolerant. When we do get paged, we work together to resolve the root cause so that we don’t get paged for the same issue twice.
Key job responsibilities
- Running experiments to assess potential risk of security responses.
- Expanding our existing LLM agent pipelines
- Analyzing post mortems to understand what data signals could have prevented the occurence
About the team
Diverse Experiences
Amazon Security values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
Why Amazon Security?
At Amazon, security is central to maintaining customer trust and delivering delightful customer experiences. Our organization is responsible for creating and maintaining a high bar for security across all of Amazon’s products and services. We offer talented security professionals the chance to accelerate their careers with opportunities to build experience in a wide variety of areas including cloud, devices, retail, entertainment, healthcare, operations, and physical stores.
Inclusive Team Culture
In Amazon Security, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Ongoing DEI events and learning experiences inspire us to continue learning and to embrace our uniqueness. Addressing the toughest security challenges requires that we seek out and celebrate a diversity of ideas, perspectives, and voices.
Training & Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, training, and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why flexible work hours and arrangements are part of our culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of building models for business application experience
- PhD, or Master's degree and 4+ years of CS, CE, ML or related field experience
- Experience in patents or publications at top-tier peer-reviewed conferences or journals
- Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
- Experience in any of the following areas: algorithms and data structures, parsing, numerical optimization, data mining, parallel and distributed computing, high-performance computing
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience using Unix/Linux
- Experience in professional software development
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, VA, Arlington - 142,800.00 - 193,200.00 USD annually
See All 7 Applied Scientist Jobs in Virginia
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Find Applied Scientist JobsApplied Scientist Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Applied Scientist Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



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.
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