Research Data Scientist Jobs in District of Columbia
Research Data Scientist jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in one of the most active markets in the country, with demand anchored by the federal government, national security agencies, and major policy research institutions. Most hiring clusters in Washington itself, with additional activity in nearby Bethesda and Arlington, where employers like the National Institutes of Health, Booz Allen Hamilton, and MITRE maintain large data science practices. The most sought-after specializations are causal inference, natural language processing applied to policy and health data, and machine learning for program evaluation. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Location: Washington, DC, District of Columbia, United States
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Company: HII's Mission Technologies division
Requisition Number: 29231
Required Travel: 11 - 25%
Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt
Anticipated Salary Range: $115,199.00 - $155,000.00
Security Clearance: Top Secret
Level of Experience: Mid HI
This opportunity resides with All-Domain Operations (ADO), a business group within HII’s Mission Technologies division. All-Domain Operations comprises multi-domain operations, platforms and logistics, and intelligence operations.
HII designs, develops, integrates and manages the sensors, systems and other assets necessary to support integrated ISR operations and accelerated decision-making. With data fusion and mission management capabilities for the Department of Defense, the combatant commands and the intelligence community, HII advances the mission around the globe.
Leadership Mindset at HII – Mission Technologies
Leadership at HII is a mindset, not a title. Through our Leadership Capability Framework, we define how every employee grows, leads, and contributes—regardless of role. It sets the standard for how you can develop yourself and what you can expect from leaders across our organization. We look for candidates who want to grow in alignment with these capabilities:
Know & Grow Your People – Commit to learning and supporting team success.
Build Relationships – Communicate openly, collaborate well, and build trust.
Take Ownership – Deliver on commitments and take pride in your work.
Customer First – Focus on the mission and those we serve.
Shape the Future – Bring ideas, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
Act with Urgency – Take initiative and follow through with purpose.
These capabilities guide how all employees contribute to our shared success across Mission Technologies.
Who We Are
HII – Mission Technologies is seeking a Tech Advisor. The Tech Advisor provides specialized engineering expertise and technical support to mission partners and capability‑development teams. This role serves as a critical liaison between technical developers and mission‑partner personnel, ensuring solutions are aligned with operational needs, methodology requirements, and mission priorities. The advisor gathers customer input, helps refine requirements, instructs users on capability utilization, and collaborates with developers to tailor and optimize technical tools, features, and workflows. The Tech Advisor leverages deep knowledge of mission‑partner areas of responsibility (AORs), tactics, techniques, procedures (TTPs), and operational priorities to ensure that developed capabilities are effectively integrated and provide meaningful mission enhancement. The role also strengthens the broader user community by facilitating cross‑site sharing of best practices, methodologies, and analytic use cases.
STINGRAI: Advancing Mission Success Through Intelligence, Innovation, and Operational Excellence
Every day, HII helps U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and its mission partners stay ahead of evolving threats by delivering the intelligence, technology, and operational expertise needed to protect U.S. interests across the Western Hemisphere. Join our team on STINGRAI and support mission-critical operations through advanced intelligence, surveillance, cyber, engineering, and all-domain capabilities that strengthen regional security, enable informed decision-making, and help defend our nation today while preparing for tomorrow's challenges.
What You Will Do
Provide engineering and technical expertise to mission partners and capability‑development teams in support of system enhancements and operational integration.
Serve as the primary liaison between capability developers and mission‑partner personnel to ensure effective communication and alignment of requirements.
Gather inputs, feedback, and technical requirements to support methodology development, tool improvements, and capability customization.
Deliver assistance, instruction, and on‑site education to mission‑partner personnel to enable effective use and adoption of developed capabilities.
Collaborate closely with developers to refine and tailor capability features and functionality based on mission‑partner needs.
Apply knowledge of mission‑partner AORs, TTPs, operations, and mission priorities to guide technical solutions and ensure they provide operational value.
Facilitate a robust user community by enabling the sharing of analysis methods, workflows, and use cases across partner sites.
Support troubleshooting, workflow optimization, and continuous improvement of mission‑partner technical capabilities.
Promote consistent capability adoption and standardization across multiple mission‑partner locations.
What We Are Looking For
9 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 7 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; 4 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 13 years relevant experience.
Professional experience providing technical, engineering, or systems‑integration support to mission‑focused or operational teams.
Ability to gather, interpret, and translate user requirements into actionable technical tasks.
Experience serving as a liaison between technical developers and end‑users, preferably in a defense, intelligence, or mission‑partner environment.
Strong understanding of mission‑partner operations, AORs, TTPs, and operational priorities.
Ability to provide clear instruction, training, and support to technical and non‑technical personnel.
Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot system or workflow issues.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to facilitate information sharing across multi‑functional teams and geographically dispersed users.
Experience supporting capability customization, tool modification, or feature enhancement based on operational needs.
Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and support multiple mission‑partner sites or stakeholder groups.
Clearance: Must possess and maintain a Top-Secret clearance.
Physical Requirements
May require working in an office, industrial, shipboard, or laboratory environment. Capable of climbing ladders and tolerating confined spaces and extreme temperature variances.
The listed salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's Mission Technologies division takes a variety of factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the role's function and a candidate's education or training, work experience, and key skills.
Meet HII’s Mission Technologies Division
Our team of more than 7,000 professionals worldwide delivers all-domain expertise and advanced technologies in service of mission partners across the globe. Mission Technologies is leading the next evolution of national defense – the data evolution - by accelerating a breadth of national security solutions for government and commercial customers. Our capabilities range from C5ISR, AI and Big Data, cyber operations and synthetic training environments to fleet sustainment, environmental remediation and the largest family of unmanned underwater vehicles in every class. Find the role that’s right for you. Apply today. We look forward to meeting you.
To learn more about Mission Technologies, click here for a short video: https://vimeo.com/732533072
HII is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to build a new future. We offer competitive benefits such as best-in-class medical, dental and vision plan choices; wellness resources; employee assistance programs; Savings Plan Options (401(k)); financial planning tools, life insurance; employee discounts; paid holidays and paid time off; tuition reimbursement; as well as early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships. Bonus/other non-recurrent compensation is occasionally offered for qualified positions, and if applicable to this role will be addressed by the recruiter at the screening phase of application.
Why HII
We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. Our workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America’s top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people’s safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #3 for HII Mission Technologies.
See All 125+ Research Data Scientist Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find Research Data Scientist JobsResearch Data Scientist Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Data Scientist Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Children's National Hospital23

- Georgetown University8

- Howard University7

- Johns Hopkins University7

- Council On Foreign Relations5

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services26
- Education19
- Science & Research3
- Technology & Software3
- Government & Public Sector3
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research data scientist jobs across District of Columbia.
- Master's or doctoral degree in statistics, computer science, or a quantitative field required
- Proficiency in Python and R with experience in large-scale data analysis
- Experience with statistical modeling, machine learning, and experimental design methods
- Ability to obtain or maintain a federal security clearance for government-contracted roles
- Familiarity with federal data governance standards and restricted data environments
- Strong written communication skills for translating findings to non-technical stakeholders
Research Data Scientist Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research data scientist in District of Columbia?
Research data scientist roles in the District of Columbia do not require a state-issued license, but most employers expect a master's or doctoral degree in a quantitative discipline such as statistics, biostatistics, computer science, or social science with a strong methods component. Because so much of the local market is tied to federal agencies and contractors, candidates who can demonstrate experience with government data environments, causal research designs, and program evaluation have a clear advantage over those with purely industry backgrounds.
How much do research data scientists make in District of Columbia?
Research data scientists in District of Columbia earn a median of about $126,490 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $89,750 for the lowest 10% to over $209,730 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research data scientists in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring research data scientists in District of Columbia right now include Children's National Hospital, Georgetown University, and Howard University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The District of Columbia market is especially active among federal contractors and policy-focused research organizations, where demand for applied quantitative researchers with domain expertise in health, defense, or social policy tends to stay consistent year over year.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most research data scientist jobs?
The cities with the most research data scientist openings in District of Columbia are Washington and Foggy Bottom. Washington dominates the distribution because most federal agencies, think tanks, and large contractors are headquartered there, while Bethesda draws significant volume from the National Institutes of Health and affiliated biomedical research centers, and Arlington benefits from the density of defense and intelligence contractors operating just across the Potomac.
Are there remote research data scientist jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than many analytical roles, because research data science work is largely desk-based and output-driven. About 48% of research data scientist openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, though roles involving classified federal data or restricted government systems typically require on-site presence. The parts of the work most commonly done remotely are independent modeling, literature synthesis, and report writing.
How can I get hired as a research data scientist in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a research assistantship, graduate fellowship, or postdoctoral appointment at a Washington-area institution such as the Urban Institute, Resources for the Future, or a federal agency like NIH or the Census Bureau, all of which regularly bring on junior researchers. Candidates with strong statistical programming skills, a thesis or capstone demonstrating independent analysis, and familiarity with public-use federal datasets are well positioned for associate researcher or junior data analyst roles that feed into senior research data scientist tracks.
Where can I find and apply to research data scientist jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to research data scientist jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the District. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your background and interests, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 125+ Research Data Scientist Jobs in District of Columbia
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