Principal Scientist Jobs in Virginia
Principal Scientist jobs in Virginia are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated in defense research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and federal contract science, with openings at every level from early-career researcher through senior technical lead. The heaviest hiring is in the Northern Virginia corridor, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads area, where employers such as Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Inova Health System maintain large and ongoing research operations. The most in-demand specialties are computational biology, materials science, and biodefense research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 27+ Principal Scientist jobs
Job ID: 2615915
Location: Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted: 2026-08-20
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Modeling/Sim Engr
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: No
Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI_wPoly
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE
Description
SAIC is hiring a Data Scientist Principal to deliver Systems Engineering Technical Advisor (SETA) supporting a program based in Chantilly, VA. This role will contribute to the National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) Ground Enterprise Directorate (GED), which oversees the acquisition and lifecycle management of systems from inception to deployment and operations.
As the Data Scientist Principal you will support the analysis of complex data to drive strategic mission efforts. The role supports the resolution of operational and systems problems into data-driven solutions, guides analytic strategy, and advises leadership on mission impact, model risk, and data-informed tradeoffs.
Key duties of this position include (but are not limited to):
- Supports designing and managing data sets to ensure efficient data flow and interoperability with existing and emerging programs.
- Supports the collection and integration of large, complex data sets that meet cross-organizational requirements.
- Evaluates data quality, reliability, and efficiency throughout the data lifecycle.
- Collaborating with other data scientists, software developers, operators, project managers, and clients to prepare data for predictive modeling.
- Documents internal process improvements to optimize data delivery and automate manual processes.
- Supports testing and validation procedures to ensure operational platforms function correctly, including the ability to gather user feedback, identify issues, conduct updates, and perform routine quality assurance checks.
- Supports the development of essential technical documentation for reference and reporting, which includes documenting processes, system specifications, and modifications.
- Supports data compliance with regulations, develop guidance, and promote ethical use of developed platforms, data repositories, and relevant technical records.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience. Relevant experience to be substituted in lieu of degree.
- Active Top Secret/SCI with Poly
- 5+ years of experience in software engineering with IC, DoD, and/or commercial space architectures, systems, and/or operations.
- Hands-on practical experience with data analytics, machine learning, and statistical methods.
- Experience in applying modern techniques in artificial intelligence (AI), data science, machine learning (ML), or statistics.
- Demonstrated high level of initiative, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking. - Demonstrated capability and success working in team environments.
- Strong oral and written communications ability on significant technical matters often requiring coordination within a high tempo environment.
- Good working knowledge of MS Office applications.
Job ID: 2615915
Location: Chantilly, VA, US
Date Posted: 2026-08-20
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Modeling/Sim Engr
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: No
Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI_wPoly
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE
Description
SAIC is hiring a Data Scientist Principal to deliver Systems Engineering Technical Advisor (SETA) supporting a program based in Chantilly, VA. This role will contribute to the National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) Ground Enterprise Directorate (GED), which oversees the acquisition and lifecycle management of systems from inception to deployment and operations.
As the Data Scientist Principal you will support the analysis of complex data to drive strategic mission efforts. The role supports the resolution of operational and systems problems into data-driven solutions, guides analytic strategy, and advises leadership on mission impact, model risk, and data-informed tradeoffs.
Key duties of this position include (but are not limited to):
- Supports designing and managing data sets to ensure efficient data flow and interoperability with existing and emerging programs.
- Supports the collection and integration of large, complex data sets that meet cross-organizational requirements.
- Evaluates data quality, reliability, and efficiency throughout the data lifecycle.
- Collaborating with other data scientists, software developers, operators, project managers, and clients to prepare data for predictive modeling.
- Documents internal process improvements to optimize data delivery and automate manual processes.
- Supports testing and validation procedures to ensure operational platforms function correctly, including the ability to gather user feedback, identify issues, conduct updates, and perform routine quality assurance checks.
- Supports the development of essential technical documentation for reference and reporting, which includes documenting processes, system specifications, and modifications.
- Supports data compliance with regulations, develop guidance, and promote ethical use of developed platforms, data repositories, and relevant technical records.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience. Relevant experience to be substituted in lieu of degree.
- Active Top Secret/SCI with Poly
- 5+ years of experience in software engineering with IC, DoD, and/or commercial space architectures, systems, and/or operations.
- Hands-on practical experience with data analytics, machine learning, and statistical methods.
- Experience in applying modern techniques in artificial intelligence (AI), data science, machine learning (ML), or statistics.
- Demonstrated high level of initiative, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking. - Demonstrated capability and success working in team environments.
- Strong oral and written communications ability on significant technical matters often requiring coordination within a high tempo environment.
- Good working knowledge of MS Office applications.
See All 27 Principal Scientist Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Scientist JobsPrincipal Scientist Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Scientist Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Capital One14
- Information Technology Senior Management Forum6
- SAIC1
- Noblis1
- Vantor1
Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal scientist jobs across Virginia.
- Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline such as biology, chemistry, or biomedical engineering
- Minimum five years of independent research experience in an industry or government laboratory setting
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication or patent authorship in the scientific field
- Active or clearable federal security clearance, required by many Virginia defense-sector employers
- Proficiency in scientific computing tools and statistical software used in the specialty area
- Experience leading cross-functional research teams and mentoring junior scientists or research staff
Principal Scientist Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal scientist in Virginia?
Reaching a principal scientist role in Virginia typically requires a doctoral degree in a natural or physical science, engineering, or a closely related field, followed by several years of progressively independent research experience. Virginia does not issue a state-specific license for most principal scientist roles, but defense-sector positions often require a federal security clearance processed through a Virginia-based facility. Candidates in clinical or environmental science may also need discipline-specific certifications recognized by their respective professional boards.
Which companies hire principal scientists in Virginia?
Employers hiring principal scientists in Virginia right now include Capital One, Information Technology Senior Management Forum, and SAIC, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and research hospitals means that both large-scale government contractors and health system research divisions are among the most consistent sources of principal scientist openings in the state.
Which Virginia cities have the most principal scientist jobs?
The Virginia cities with the most principal scientist openings are McLean, Reston, and Vienna. Northern Virginia leads because of its proximity to federal agencies, national laboratories, and major defense and intelligence contractors headquartered in that corridor, while Richmond's presence reflects the region's expanding pharmaceutical and health sciences research sector, and Hampton Roads draws from Navy and defense research activity concentrated there.
Are there remote principal scientist jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since principal scientist work frequently involves laboratory access, instrumentation, or on-site collaboration with research teams. About 20% of principal scientist openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and the roles most likely to be fully remote tend to be in computational modeling, data science, or regulatory and scientific writing functions rather than bench or experimental research.
How can I get hired as a principal scientist in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a postdoctoral research position, which large Virginia employers such as Inova, the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, and major Northern Virginia defense contractors regularly offer to recent doctoral graduates. From there, candidates typically move into associate or staff scientist roles before advancing. Building a publication record, contributing to open-source scientific software, or obtaining a security clearance while in a junior position significantly strengthens a candidate's profile for Virginia's defense-heavy market.
Where can I find and apply to principal scientist jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to principal scientist jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across defense, biotech, pharmaceutical, and health research sectors. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers through the listings.
See All 27 Principal Scientist Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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