Associate Scientist Jobs in McLean, VA
Associate Scientist jobs in McLean, Virginia draw consistent demand across the Tysons Corner corridor, the McLean corporate campus district, and Beltway-adjacent research clusters, with openings concentrated in defense research, biotech support, and intelligence-adjacent sciences. Employers hiring right now include Capital One, Information Technology Senior Management Forum, and MITRE. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Associate Scientist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 40+ Associate Scientist jobs







- Experience modeling on structured and unstructured data sets
- Experience with exploratory data analysis
- Experience in feature engineering
- Experience in data visualization
- Experience with Deep Learning methodology and state of the art libraries
- Knowledge of data collection methods, capabilities, and tasking process
- Ability to leverage multiple data management tools to organize relevant information and make decisions
- Support an Agile software development lifecycle
- Ability to hold a position of public trust with the US government.
- 0-2 years industry experience developing ML/AI solutions and a passion for solving complex problems.
- 0-2 years direct experience in Data Modeling and Data Solution Development
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, engineering, business, or a scientific or technical discipline
- Demonstrated experience manipulating structured and unstructured data for analysis
- Strong programming skills in SQL, Python, R, Scala, Java, or similar language
- Experience using Python to manipulate large data sets
- Demonstrated experience with TensorFlow, Keras, or other Deep Learning tools and frameworks
- Demonstrated experience in big data systems including Hadoop, Spark, Scala
- Data visualization skills in Tableau, Power BI, D3, ArcGIS, or similar
- Knowledge of DBOps and MLOps framework is a plus
- Experience with Solr, Elasticsearch, or similar tool is a plus
Identity Statement
Steampunk is a Change Agent in the Federal contracting industry, bringing new thinking to clients in the Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health and DoD sectors. Through our Human-Centered delivery methodology, we are fundamentally changing the expectations our Federal clients have for true shared accountability in solving their toughest mission challenges. If you want to learn more about our story, visit http://www.steampunk.com.
We are 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. Steampunk participates in the E-Verify program.
See All 40 Associate Scientist Jobs in McLean
Find roles in McLean that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Associate Scientist JobsAssociate Scientist Job Market in McLean
Who's Hiring
- Capital One21

- Information Technology Senior Management Forum16
- MITRE1

- Steampunk1

Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services
- Fintech
Associate Scientist Jobs in McLean: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an associate scientist job in McLean?
McLean's hiring for associate scientists concentrates in defense contractors, federal consulting firms, and life sciences support organizations clustered near Tysons Corner and the Beltway interchange. Candidates with clearance eligibility, experience in analytical or laboratory environments, and familiarity with government-facing research protocols move to the front of the line. Tailoring your application to a contractor's specific agency clients gives you a concrete edge over generalist applicants.
Which companies hire associate scientists in McLean?
McLean associate scientist roles are posted by Capital One, Information Technology Senior Management Forum, and MITRE and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. McLean's employer mix skews heavily toward defense primes, federal IT consultancies, and intelligence community contractors that maintain large scientific and research support functions in the area.
Are there remote associate scientist jobs in McLean?
Yes, though remotely with caveats, associate scientist roles that involve laboratory work, physical sample analysis, or cleared facility access are almost entirely on-site, while data-focused or computational science positions carry real remote flexibility. About 50% of associate scientist openings tied to McLean are remote or hybrid as of November 2026. The most remote-eligible roles in McLean tend to be bioinformatics, data analysis, and research coordination positions.
How can I get an associate scientist job in McLean with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in McLean is through research associate or laboratory technician roles at defense contractors and federal consulting firms, which regularly hire candidates with a relevant bachelor's degree and internship experience. Many McLean employers also bring in entry-level scientists through government-funded research support contracts, where on-the-job training is built into the program. Earning even a provisional security clearance or demonstrating clearance eligibility significantly widens the pool of positions available to early-career candidates here.
Which industries hire the most associate scientists in McLean?
The sectors hiring the most associate scientists in McLean are Banking & Financial Services and Fintech, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. McLean's proximity to federal agencies and intelligence community headquarters makes it a hub for contractors that staff scientific and technical support functions tied directly to government research priorities.
Related Jobs in Virginia
See All 40 Associate Scientist Jobs in McLean
Find roles in McLean that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Associate Scientist Jobs