Mid Level Data Science Lead Jobs

Location: Tampa, FL — On-site MacDill AFB (hybrid flexibility)

Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI required. CI Poly preferred; FS Poly a plus.

Type: Full-time, W-2

Reports To: Program Manager, SEDTP

The Role

Drive the strategic integration of advanced analytics across the SOF Enterprise. Lead the data science team that transforms SOCOM data into mission decision advantage.

About the Program

The Special Operations Forces Enterprise Digital Talent Program (SEDTP) provides specialized digital talent to U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the SOF Enterprise. The program is anchored at MacDill AFB (Tampa, FL) and extends to OCONUS sites including Germany, Korea, and Hawaii. The mission: transform the SOF Enterprise into a data-centric, AI-enabled fighting organization by providing the elite digital talent SOCOM needs to win in the digital warfare domain.

The program operates under a 5-year period of performance (one-year base plus four option years) with expected award in fall 2026 and program start shortly thereafter.

Why This Role Matters

This is a Key Personnel role — designated in the contract proposal by name, signed on a Letter of Intent before proposal submission, and named-position protected for the life of the contract. You will be a founding member of a senior technical leadership team building from day one on a multi-year SOCOM program.

You'll work in direct contact with SOCOM CDAO leadership, briefing GO/FO-level mission owners and shaping how the SOF Enterprise uses data and AI at scale. The team is being built deliberately senior-heavy — you will work alongside peers at the top of their craft, not run meetings for juniors.

What You'll Do

• Own the data science and analytics strategy for the SEDTP program — descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics across HQ Staff, SOF Service Components, and Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs).
• Centrally manage distributed data support teams across SOF organizations at HQ echelon. Set technical bar, mentor analysts, define team operating rhythms.
• Serve as the primary technical interface between the contractor team and SOCOM CDAO leadership. Brief findings to GO/FO mission owners.
• Translate operational mission questions into rigorous analytical work. Frame the problem, lead the analytical team, deliver the readout.
• Drive integration of data, analytics, and AI capabilities — partner with the Data Operations Technical Lead, AI/ML engineers, and AI Product Managers to move models from notebook to production.
• Support the SOF Enterprise's adoption of integrated governance standards. Align data and analytics products with SOCOM security and data strategies.
• Recruit, mentor, and retain a distributed analytics team across multiple SOF organizations.
• Active TS/SCI clearance (held within last 5 years; no break >24 months in clearance eligibility).
• U.S. Citizenship.
• 5+ years working in SOF analytical support roles.
• 3+ years centrally managing distributed data support teams at SOF HQ echelon.
• 3+ years experience with SOF digital capabilities.
• 3+ years experience across SOF HQ elements, SOF Service Component HQs, AND SOF Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs).
• Strong Python and SQL fluency; comfortable with modern ML frameworks (PyTorch, scikit-learn, or equivalent).
• Demonstrable ability to communicate complex technical work to senior non-technical stakeholders.
• CI Poly or FS Poly.
• Graduate degree in a quantitative field (Statistics, Operations Research, Computer Science, Applied Math, Data Science).
• Prior employment as a senior leader at Clarity Innovations, Raft, Booz Allen Hamilton SOCOM, Leidos SOCOM, SAIC, Palantir, Govini, LEVELUP, or a similar cleared-defense data firm.
• Government employment history at USSOCOM J2/J5/J8, JAIC, CDAO, or as a uniformed senior SOF officer (O-4 to O-6 retired).
• Located in Tampa Bay area today (Greater Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater).
• Published or presented work in data science / operations research / mission analytics conferences.
• Currently employed by the U.S. Government (Government employees are off-limits for this role).
• No active TS clearance, or clearance expired more than 24 months ago.
• Career exclusively in commercial sector with no defense / intelligence community work.
• Pure individual contributor track with no people management experience.

Must Have

Nice to Have

Not a Fit If

Compensation & Benefits

Base compensation: $190,000 – $240,000 (indicative range; final offer subject to KBR pricing finalization).

Plus: Active CI Poly: +10% premium. Active FS Poly: +15-20% premium. Full medical / dental / vision benefits. 401(k) with employer match. 15 days PTO + 11 federal holidays. Professional development budget. Relocation assistance to Tampa available where applicable.