Scientist Jobs in Virginia

Scientist jobs in Virginia are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated in defense research, life sciences, environmental consulting, and federal contracting, with openings at every level from entry-level research associate through principal scientist and research director. Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads corridor are the dominant hiring areas, anchored by employers like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The most sought-after specialties include environmental science, biological research, and data-driven physical sciences tied to government program support. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles169+
Top employerBooz Allen Hamilton
Top cityMcLean, VA
Cities hiring35
Work type71% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 169+ Scientist jobs

Fairfax County Government
Public Health Laboratory Scientist I
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Fairfax County Government
Added 1d ago
Public Health Laboratory Scientist I
Fairfax County Government
Fairfax, Virginia
Data Analytics
Data Engineering
Data Science
$58k.44 - $102k.97/yr
On-Site
Medical Laboratory Scientist Certification
10,000+

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RTX
Signal Processing Research Scientist
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RTX
Added 1d ago
Signal Processing Research Scientist
RTX
Arlington, Virginia
Business Strategy
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$118k - $225k/yr
Master's degree in physics
10,000+

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Thermo Fisher Scientific
Assistant Scientist - Entry Level - Vaccines - Dry Lab/Data Review
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Thermo Fisher Scientific
Added 1d ago
Assistant Scientist - Entry Level - Vaccines - Dry Lab/Data Review
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Richmond, Virginia
Business Development
Customer Success
Sales
$21 - $21.63/hr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Thermo Fisher Scientific
Scientist - Data Reviewer - Bioanalytical LCMS Assay Services - M - F Second Shift
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Thermo Fisher Scientific
Added 1d ago
Scientist - Data Reviewer - Bioanalytical LCMS Assay Services - M - F Second Shift
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Richmond, Virginia
Business Operations
Customer Success
Project Management
$28 - $29/hr
On-Site
Master's degree
10,000+

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Rapid Cycle Solutions
Data Scientist
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Rapid Cycle Solutions
Added 1d ago
Data Scientist
Rapid Cycle Solutions
Chantilly, Virginia
Customer Service
Customer Support
$150k - $190k/yr
On-Site
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
11-50

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See All 169+ Scientist Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Scientist Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Springfield
14 jobs
Reston
9 jobs
Richmond
9 jobs
Vienna
7 jobs
Norfolk
7 jobs
Manassas
6 jobs

Scientist Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Booz Allen Hamilton
    Booz Allen Hamilton15
  • Capital One
    Capital One9
  • Guidehouse
    Guidehouse8
  • Information Technology Senior Management Forum
    Information Technology Senior Management Forum7
  • Navy Federal Credit Union
    Navy Federal Credit Union6

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Technology & Software
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in scientist jobs across Virginia.

  • Bachelor's degree or higher in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or a related field
  • Experience with laboratory instrumentation, field data collection, or research study design
  • Familiarity with federal or Virginia state environmental regulations and compliance standards
  • Ability to obtain or maintain a U.S. government security clearance as required by the position
  • Proficiency with data analysis tools and scientific software such as R, Python, or ArcGIS
  • Strong technical writing skills for reports, proposals, and peer-reviewed documentation

Scientist Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a scientist in Virginia?

Most scientist roles in Virginia require at least a bachelor's degree in a natural or physical science, with many positions in defense and federal contracting favoring a master's degree or higher. Environmental scientists working on regulated projects may need to meet Virginia Department of Environmental Quality standards or hold certifications such as Professional Wetland Scientist or Certified Environmental Professional. For research roles with state or federal agencies, relevant field or laboratory experience carries significant weight alongside formal education.

Which companies hire scientists in Virginia?

Employers hiring scientists in Virginia right now include Booz Allen Hamilton, Capital One, and Guidehouse, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors means many scientist roles are tied to government-funded research programs, making established contractors and consulting firms among the most consistent sources of openings.

Which Virginia cities have the most scientist jobs?

McLean, Arlington, and Chantilly have the most scientist openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia's proximity to federal agencies and defense contractors drives the largest share of postings, while Richmond's life sciences sector and Hampton Roads' Navy and environmental research presence account for strong hiring in those areas as well.

Are there remote scientist jobs in Virginia?

Yes, but they're rare. About 29% of scientist openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how much of the work requires lab access, field sampling, or classified facility presence. The subset most likely to allow remote or hybrid arrangements includes data analysis, scientific writing, and modeling roles where no physical sample work is involved.

How can I get hired as a scientist in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a research associate or lab technician role, which large Virginia employers like Leidos, SAIC, and ICF regularly post for candidates with a bachelor's degree and no professional experience. Federal agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey and EPA regional offices in Northern Virginia also run student volunteer and pathways programs. Building a portfolio of field or lab work through university research, state agency internships with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, or AmeriCorps environmental programs strengthens a first application meaningfully.

Where can I find and apply to scientist jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to scientist jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across defense, environmental, life sciences, and federal research sectors. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 169+ Scientist Jobs in Virginia

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