Data Science Director Jobs in Virginia
Data Science Director jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense analytics, federal contracting, financial services, and healthcare technology across experience levels from senior manager to chief data officer. Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads area are the primary hiring markets, where established employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and Capital One have deep and ongoing demand for data leaders. The most sought-after specialties in Virginia right now are machine learning operations, AI strategy, and data governance tied to government and regulated-industry clients. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Data Science Director JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 48+ Data Science Director jobs









Data is at the center of everything we do. As a startup, we disrupted the credit card industry by individually personalizing every credit card offer using statistical modeling and the relational database, cutting edge technology in 1988! Fast-forward a few years, and this little innovation and our passion for data has skyrocketed us to a Fortune 200 company and a leader in the world of data-driven decision-making.
As a Data Scientist at Capital One, you’ll be part of a team that’s leading the next wave of disruption at a whole new scale, using the latest in computing and machine learning technologies and operating across billions of customer records to unlock the big opportunities that help everyday people save money, time and agony in their financial lives.
Team Description:
Retail Bank is a high performing modeling and analytics team that is on a mission to define the next generation of banking. The Bank team has a relentless focus on the craft of statistical modeling and innovation with a target towards continually improving decision making and delivering value to the business. Using the latest in machine learning and distributed computing technologies, you will be building the next generation of data products to enable automation and aim for the right decision at the right time for in-moment decisioning.
Role Description
In this role, you will:
Formulate & Solve Complex Problems: Translate ambiguous business challenges into structured mathematical problems. Design and implement optimization models (linear, mixed-integer, non-linear, and heuristic) to improve decision-making.
Build & Deploy Scalable Models: Develop, test, and deploy production-grade optimization algorithms and simulation models using Python and commercial/open-source solvers.
Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner closely with Product, Engineering, and Business teams to integrate optimization engines into existing software systems and workflows.
Build machine learning models through all phases of development, from design through training, evaluation, validation, and implementation
The Ideal Candidate is:
Strategic Impact & Experimental Rigor. Proven track record of driving strategic business value by optimizing customer experience funnels and risk policies, effectively evaluating external data, and institutionalizing closed-loop experimental frameworks to align predictive backtesting with live operational outcomes.
Customer first. You love the process of analyzing and creating, but also share our passion to do the right thing. You know at the end of the day it’s about making the right decision for our customers.
Innovative. You continually research and evaluate emerging technologies. You stay current on published state-of-the-art methods, technologies, and applications and seek out opportunities to apply them.
Technical. You’re comfortable with open-source languages and are passionate about developing further. You have hands-on experience developing data science solutions using open-source tools and cloud computing platforms.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree plus 6 years of experience in data analytics, or Master’s Degree plus 4 years of experience in data analytics, or PhD plus 1 year of experience in data analytics
At least 2 years’ experience in open source programming languages for large scale data analysis
At least 2 years’ experience with machine learning
At least 2 years’ experience with relational databases
Preferred Qualifications:
PhD in “STEM” field (Science, Engineering, Operations Research or Mathematics) plus 2 years of experience in data analytics
At least 1 year of experience working with AWS
At least 4 years’ experience in Python, Scala, or R for large scale data analysis
At least 4 years’ experience with machine learning
Experience in using numerical optimization to solve business problems
Experience with linear, non-linear, integer programming techniques and software packages
Has a track record of optimizing business outcomes and decision systems
Experience in formulating business problems that involves complex data, models, policy rules
Working experience with time-series models
Capital One will consider sponsoring a new qualified applicant for employment authorization for this position.
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount Capital One is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
McLean, VA: $197,300 - $225,100 for Mgr, Data ScienceNew York, NY: $215,200 - $245,600 for Mgr, Data Science
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
Capital One offers a comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well-being. Learn more at the Capital One Careers website. Eligibility varies based on full or part-time status, exempt or non-exempt status, and management level.
This role is expected to accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days. No agencies please. Capital One is an equal opportunity employer (EOE, including disability/vet) committed to non-discrimination in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Capital One promotes a drug-free workplace. Capital One will consider for employment qualified applicants with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable laws regarding criminal background inquiries, including, to the extent applicable, Article 23-A of the New York Correction Law; San Francisco, California Police Code Article 49, Sections 4901-4920; New York City’s Fair Chance Act; Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Act; and other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding criminal background inquiries.If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Capital One Recruiting at 1-800-304-9102 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@capitalone.com. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
For technical support or questions about Capital One's recruiting process, please send an email to Careers@capitalone.com
Capital One does not provide, endorse nor guarantee and is not liable for third-party products, services, educational tools or other information available through this site.
Capital One Financial is made up of several different entities. Please note that any position posted in Canada is for Capital One Canada, any position posted in the United Kingdom is for Capital One Europe and any position posted in the Philippines is for Capital One Philippines Service Corp. (COPSSC).
See All 48 Data Science Director Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Science Director JobsData Science Director Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Data Science Director Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Capital One17

- Information Technology Senior Management Forum8
- University of Virginia5

- CarMax4

- MITRE1

Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services10
- Consulting & Professional Services2
- Accounting & Auditing1
- Government & Public Sector1
- Investment & Asset Management1
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in data science director jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in data science, statistics, computer science, or a related quantitative field
- Seven or more years of experience in data science with at least three years in a people leadership role
- Demonstrated experience managing and mentoring cross-functional data science or analytics teams
- Proficiency in Python, R, SQL, and cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
- Experience translating complex analytical findings into strategic recommendations for executive stakeholders
- Active or obtainable federal security clearance preferred for Virginia defense and government contracting roles
Data Science Director Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a data science director in Virginia?
Becoming a data science director in Virginia typically requires a graduate degree in a quantitative field and several years of progressively senior data science experience, with at least a few years managing teams. No state-issued license applies to this role in Virginia. In practice, the Virginia market rewards candidates who can demonstrate leadership of data science functions within defense, financial services, or healthcare contexts, and who have experience working within or alongside federal agencies or cleared environments.
How much do data science directors make in Virginia?
Data science directors 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 data science directors in Virginia?
Employers hiring data science directors in Virginia right now include Capital One, Information Technology Senior Management Forum, and University of Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal contractors, large financial institutions, and health systems means demand is consistent and not limited to a single sector.
Which Virginia cities have the most data science director jobs?
McLean, Richmond, and Charlottesville have the most data science director openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates due to its dense cluster of federal agencies and defense contractors, while Richmond's financial services firms and healthcare systems drive demand there, and Hampton Roads reflects the Navy and defense research presence anchored along the coast.
Are there remote data science director jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 56% of data science director openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the desk-based, analytical nature of the role. Strategy, modeling oversight, and stakeholder reporting work translate well to remote arrangements, though roles tied to classified government projects or on-site team leadership are more likely to require regular in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a data science director in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is to secure a senior individual contributor role such as senior data scientist or lead data analyst at a Virginia federal contractor or large employer like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, or Capital One, then move into a team lead position. Building a portfolio of end-to-end projects and pursuing cloud certifications from AWS or Google strengthens candidacy. Some Virginia universities and contracting firms also run rotational analytics programs that place candidates into leadership-track roles.
Where can I find and apply to data science director jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to data science director jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across industries and experience levels. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 48 Data Science Director Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Science Director Jobs