Data Scientist Jobs in Virginia
Data Scientist jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense intelligence, federal contracting, financial services, and health informatics, with openings at every level from entry-level analyst to principal scientist. The heaviest hiring is in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads corridor, where employers such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and Capital One have deep, sustained data science operations. The most in-demand specialties in the state are machine learning engineering, natural language processing, and geospatial analytics tied to government and defense programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 284+ Data 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.
- 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 284+ Data Scientist Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Scientist JobsData Scientist Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Data Scientist Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Capital One34
- Information Technology Senior Management Forum25
- Booz Allen Hamilton20
- Leidos9
- GRVTY7G
Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services11
- Fintech4
- Staffing & Recruiting2
- Technology & Software2
- Investment & Asset Management1
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in data scientist jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in statistics, computer science, or a quantitative field
- Proficiency in Python or R for data analysis, modeling, and automation tasks
- Experience with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn
- Ability to obtain or hold a U.S. government security clearance for Virginia defense roles
- Hands-on experience with SQL and cloud data platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP
- Strong communication skills for presenting findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders
Data Scientist Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a data scientist in Virginia?
Virginia does not require a state-issued license to work as a data scientist. The typical path starts with a bachelor's degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, or a related quantitative field, often followed by a master's for senior roles. Many Virginia employers, especially in the defense and federal contracting sector, expect candidates to be clearance-eligible from day one, so understanding that process early gives applicants a concrete edge.
How much do data scientists make in Virginia?
Data scientists 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 scientists in Virginia?
Employers hiring data scientists in Virginia right now include Capital One, Information Technology Senior Management Forum, and Booz Allen Hamilton, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies and prime contractors means many of the largest hiring organizations operate cleared programs alongside their commercial data science work.
Which Virginia cities have the most data scientist jobs?
McLean, Chantilly, and Arlington have the most data scientist openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates because of its density of federal agencies, intelligence community contractors, and technology firms clustered around the Dulles corridor, while Richmond draws demand from financial services companies and state government analytics teams, and Hampton Roads hiring is tied to Navy and defense research operations.
Are there remote data scientist jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most fields, since data science work is largely computer-based and output-driven. About 44% of data scientist openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, making it one of the more flexible roles in the state. Modeling, analysis, and visualization work tends to be fully remote, while roles requiring access to classified systems or sensitive government data typically require on-site presence in Northern Virginia facilities.
How can I get hired as a data scientist in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is targeting junior data analyst or business intelligence analyst roles at Virginia's large federal contractors and financial institutions, where those titles regularly transition into data scientist tracks. Booz Allen Hamilton and Leidos both run structured new-graduate programs that place candidates with analytical degrees into data-focused project teams. Building a public portfolio on GitHub with projects using real datasets, earning a cloud certification from AWS or Google, and applying for internships through Virginia university partnerships with government contractors all give candidates without full professional experience a concrete foothold.
Where can I find and apply to data scientist jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to data scientist jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.
See All 284+ Data Scientist Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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