Data Science Director Jobs in Maryland
Data Science Director jobs in Maryland concentrate in federal contracting, healthcare analytics, cybersecurity intelligence, and financial services, with the Baltimore-Washington corridor ranking among the most active markets in the country for senior data leadership. Most hiring is in and around Bethesda, Baltimore, and Columbia, where organizations like Leidos, Johns Hopkins Health System, and T. Rowe Price maintain large data and analytics teams. Demand is strongest for directors who specialize in machine learning engineering, health data strategy, and government analytics programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Position: Software Engineer – Level 2 / Level 3
Location: Laurel, MD
Employment Type: Full-Time
Clearance Requirement: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph
Salary Range: $206,000 – $248,000 / year (dependent on experience, education, and skill set)
About the Role
Seeking an experienced Software Engineer (Level 2/3) to develop, prototype, and enhance compliance modernization analytics and business processing systems in Laurel, MD.
In this role, you will design and implement automated compliance tools, integrate machine learning algorithms, and conduct proof-of-concept research within an R&D environment. You will engineer predictive models, develop features, establish operational monitoring for deployed pipelines, and build data-driven tools that integrate with enterprise corporate platforms.
Key Responsibilities
Design, prototype, and maintain compliance automation tools and business processing analytics.
Implement, test, and validate machine learning and AI algorithms (e.g., Random Forest, GMLearn) within an R&D test environment.
Conduct Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) and execute advanced feature engineering on complex datasets.
Build, deploy, and monitor machine learning models, data flows, and performance telemetry.
Integrate distributed MapReduce processing workflows (Ghostmachine) with backend data pipelines.
Develop full-stack and analytical software using Python, Java, Scala, Lucene, JEXL, SQL, and JSON within a Linux environment.
Collaborate using Jira, Confluence, Git/GitLab, and Bitbucket, maintaining comprehensive technical documentation and participating in peer reviews.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI with a current Polygraph.
Experience & Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related discipline from an accredited institution plus at least 14 years of software engineering experience on programs of similar scope and complexity, OR
18 years of relevant software engineering experience without a degree (4 additional years substituting for the degree).
Programming & Environment: Advanced development experience using Python, Java, and/or Scala in Linux operating environments.
Machine Learning & Data Processing: Hands-on experience with Scikit-learn, Random Forest modeling, feature engineering, Jupyter Notebooks, Lucene, JEXL, SQL, JSON, and MapReduce distributed frameworks.
Development Tooling: Proficiency with IDEs (IntelliJ, Eclipse), version control (Git, GitLab, Bitbucket), and collaboration tools (Jira, Confluence).
Domain Knowledge: Familiarity with customer compliance authorities, enterprise corporate systems, and governance standards.
Desired Qualifications
Strong foundational background in Data Science and applied statistical analysis.
Experience deploying ML systems and pipelines to Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Hands-on experience with Apache Spark for distributed data processing.
Exposure to Large Language Models (LLMs), prompt engineering, and Agentic AI architectures.
Benefits & Compensation
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees both personally and professionally:
Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Basic Life and Disability Insurance
Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
Paid Parental Leave
401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
Tuition Reimbursement for ongoing education and professional development
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.
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Find Data Science Director JobsData Science Director Jobs by City in Maryland
Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Data Science Director Job Market in Maryland
A snapshot from current Maryland openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Government & Public Sector
- Education
- Science & Research
- Aerospace & Defense
What Maryland Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in data science director jobs across Maryland.
- Advanced degree in data science, statistics, computer science, or a related quantitative field required
- Seven or more years of experience in data science with at least three in a leadership role
- Demonstrated ability to build and manage data science teams of five or more analysts
- Proficiency in Python, R, SQL, and cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
- Experience translating data science outputs into business strategy for executive stakeholders
- Background in federal contracting, healthcare data, or financial analytics strongly preferred in Maryland
Data Science Director Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a data science director in Maryland?
Most data science directors in Maryland follow a path that starts with a master's or doctoral degree in data science, applied mathematics, statistics, or computer science, then progresses through individual contributor and team lead roles in analytics-heavy sectors. Maryland does not require a state-issued license for this role, but employers in the federal contracting space often require a security clearance. Building domain expertise in healthcare, defense, or financial services significantly strengthens candidacy at Maryland's largest employers.
How much do data science directors make in Maryland?
Data science directors in Maryland earn a median of about $136,370 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,930 for the lowest 10% to over $213,270 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire data science directors in Maryland?
Employers hiring data science directors in Maryland right now include Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and Akina, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Maryland's concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and major health systems makes it one of the more consistent states for senior data science leadership openings.
Which Maryland cities have the most data science director jobs?
The cities with the most data science director openings in Maryland are Baltimore, Laurel, and Bethesda. Bethesda and the broader Washington suburbs drive volume through federal contracting and NIH-adjacent work, while Baltimore's concentration of health systems, financial institutions, and university medical centers anchors demand there, and Columbia's mid-corridor tech campuses contribute a steady share of openings.
Are there remote data science director jobs in Maryland?
Yes, and more than most fields. Data science director work is largely desk-based and output-driven, which makes it well suited to remote arrangements. About 100% of data science director openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting broad employer acceptance of distributed leadership in analytics. Strategic oversight, stakeholder presentations, and pipeline reviews are the functions most commonly performed fully remotely.
How can I get hired as a data science director in Maryland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a senior data scientist or principal analyst role first, then building cross-functional leadership experience before targeting director titles. Maryland employers such as Johns Hopkins, Leidos, and CareFirst run internal development programs and frequently promote from senior individual contributor roles into team lead positions. Contributing to high-visibility projects in healthcare analytics or defense data, earning a cloud certification, and building a portfolio of end-to-end model deployments are the credentials that carry the most weight in Maryland hiring decisions.
Where can I find and apply to data science director jobs in Maryland?
You can find and apply to data science director jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current Maryland openings across industries including federal contracting, healthcare, and financial services. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
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