Data Science Lead Jobs in Virginia
Data Science Lead jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, concentrated in defense contracting, federal consulting, financial services, and technology, with openings at every level from senior analyst stepping into a lead role through experienced principal and director-level candidates. The heaviest hiring activity is in the Northern Virginia corridor, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads area, where established employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Capital One, and Leidos consistently bring on data science leads. The most sought-after specialties in Virginia listings are machine learning engineering, natural language processing, and cloud-based analytics. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 70+ Data Science Lead jobs
Work you'll do
As an AI & Data Science Engineer III on the AI & Data team, you will be responsible for...
- Designing modern data architectures, data pipelines, and workflows using Palantir Foundry and cloud-based technologies
- Building and deploying data engineering solutions that support enterprise transformation and mission-driven outcomes
- Developing analytics products and applications that integrate, transform, and operationalize enterprise data
- Building an application that ingests documents, analyzes their content, and generates recommendations
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to define requirements, resolve technical issues, and deliver scalable solutions
- Applying DevOps and statistical programming tools to improve data quality, platform performance, and operational efficiency
A successful candidate would possess these skills:
- Ability to work independently and collaborate as part of a team
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Meticulous attention to detail and quality of work product
- Ability to build and sustain professional relationships
- Ability to lead projects or workstreams
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to provide clear guidance to others
The team
Deloitte's Government & Public Services (GPS) practice - our people, ideas, technology and outcomes - is designed for impact. Serving federal, state, & local government clients as well as public higher education institutions, our team of professionals brings fresh perspective to help clients anticipate disruption, reimagine the possible, and fulfill their mission promise.
Our AI & Data offering provides a full spectrum of solutions for designing, developing, and operating cutting-edge Data and AI platforms, products, insights, and services. Our offerings help clients innovate, enhance and operate their data, AI, and analytics capabilities, ensuring they can mature and scale effectively.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor's degree
- 5+ years of experience in optimization, data science, data manipulation, or data analysis
- 1+ years of experience working with Palantir Foundry
- Secret or higher US Security Clearance Required
- Ability to travel 5-25%, on average, based on the work you do and the clients and industries/sectors you serve.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
Preferred:
- 2+ years of experience with pipeline and application development within Palantir Foundry
- 3+ years of experience in professional services or federal consulting
- Experience translating technical concepts for nontechnical audiences
- Experience evaluating and applying new technologies, products, or libraries
- Experience producing written communications for technical and nontechnical stakeholders
- Experience organizing and managing multiple deliverables
The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Deloitte, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $131,000 to $218,300.
You may also be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.
Work you'll do
As an AI & Data Science Engineer III on the AI & Data team, you will be responsible for...
- Designing modern data architectures, data pipelines, and workflows using Palantir Foundry and cloud-based technologies
- Building and deploying data engineering solutions that support enterprise transformation and mission-driven outcomes
- Developing analytics products and applications that integrate, transform, and operationalize enterprise data
- Building an application that ingests documents, analyzes their content, and generates recommendations
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to define requirements, resolve technical issues, and deliver scalable solutions
- Applying DevOps and statistical programming tools to improve data quality, platform performance, and operational efficiency
A successful candidate would possess these skills:
- Ability to work independently and collaborate as part of a team
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Meticulous attention to detail and quality of work product
- Ability to build and sustain professional relationships
- Ability to lead projects or workstreams
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to provide clear guidance to others
The team
Deloitte's Government & Public Services (GPS) practice - our people, ideas, technology and outcomes - is designed for impact. Serving federal, state, & local government clients as well as public higher education institutions, our team of professionals brings fresh perspective to help clients anticipate disruption, reimagine the possible, and fulfill their mission promise.
Our AI & Data offering provides a full spectrum of solutions for designing, developing, and operating cutting-edge Data and AI platforms, products, insights, and services. Our offerings help clients innovate, enhance and operate their data, AI, and analytics capabilities, ensuring they can mature and scale effectively.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor's degree
- 5+ years of experience in optimization, data science, data manipulation, or data analysis
- 1+ years of experience working with Palantir Foundry
- Secret or higher US Security Clearance Required
- Ability to travel 5-25%, on average, based on the work you do and the clients and industries/sectors you serve.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
Preferred:
- 2+ years of experience with pipeline and application development within Palantir Foundry
- 3+ years of experience in professional services or federal consulting
- Experience translating technical concepts for nontechnical audiences
- Experience evaluating and applying new technologies, products, or libraries
- Experience producing written communications for technical and nontechnical stakeholders
- Experience organizing and managing multiple deliverables
The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Deloitte, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $131,000 to $218,300.
You may also be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.
See All 70 Data Science Lead Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Science Lead JobsData Science Lead Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Data Science Lead Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Capital One15
- Deloitte10
- Information Technology Senior Management Forum10
- University of Virginia6
- Virginia Commonwealth University4
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Science & Research
- Banking & Financial Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in data science lead jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in data science, statistics, computer science, or a related quantitative field
- Five or more years of data science experience with at least two years leading a team or project
- Proficiency in Python or R and experience with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch
- Experience with cloud platforms including AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud in a production environment
- Ability to obtain or current possession of a federal security clearance for defense and government roles
- Strong communication skills to translate analytical findings for non-technical stakeholders and executive leadership
Data Science Lead Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a data science lead in Virginia?
There is no state-issued license required to work as a data science lead in Virginia, so the path runs through education and demonstrated experience. Most Virginia employers expect a bachelor's degree in a quantitative field and several years of hands-on data science work before a lead title is considered. Northern Virginia's dense defense and federal IT market means that obtaining or maintaining a security clearance significantly strengthens candidacy, and industry certifications from AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure are frequently cited in job postings.
How much do data science leads make in Virginia?
Data science leads 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 leads in Virginia?
Employers hiring data science leads in Virginia right now include Capital One, Deloitte, and Information Technology Senior Management Forum, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's combination of large federal contractors headquartered in Northern Virginia and major financial and healthcare institutions in Richmond and Hampton Roads makes it one of the more consistently active states for this role.
Which Virginia cities have the most data science lead jobs?
The cities with the most data science lead openings in Virginia are McLean, Rosslyn, and Arlington. Northern Virginia's concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and technology firms drives the bulk of postings, while Richmond's financial services sector and Hampton Roads' military and logistics base account for steady hiring in those metros.
Are there remote data science lead jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most fields, since data science lead work is fundamentally analytical and collaborative through digital tools. About 47% of data science lead openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how broadly the role lends itself to distributed work. Model development, analysis, and team management meetings are the functions most commonly performed remotely, though roles tied to classified federal projects typically require an on-site presence in Northern Virginia.
How can I get hired as a data science lead in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a data scientist or senior data analyst role first and building toward a lead title, rather than applying directly to lead positions. Virginia's large federal contractors, including firms in the Northern Virginia corridor, frequently hire junior and mid-level data scientists through new graduate programs and rotational analyst tracks that build leadership exposure. Candidates who complete a master's degree at a Virginia institution such as Virginia Tech or George Mason and pair it with a cloud certification have a measurable edge in the hiring pool for eventual lead openings.
Where can I find and apply to data science lead jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to data science lead jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings updated regularly. Search the listings for the location, specialization, or experience level that fits your background, then apply directly to the roles that match.
See All 70 Data Science Lead Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Science Lead Jobs