Scientist Jobs in Arlington, VA
Scientist jobs in Arlington, Virginia draw steady demand across defense research, federal contracting, and life sciences, concentrated in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, Pentagon City, and Crystal City. Employers hiring right now include Amazon, Amazon Web Services, and RTX. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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DESCRIPTION
We are seeking an Applied Scientist to build production machine learning systems that turn Amazon's employee listening signals into insight at scale. You will design, develop, and deploy ML solutions that transform large volumes of employee feedback — survey responses, free-text comments, and other listening channels — into signals that drive strategic decision-making across the organization. In this role, you will work on challenging problems spanning natural language processing, large language models, predictive modeling, and generative AI applications applied to employee experience. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate ambiguous business challenges into rigorous technical solutions.
Key job responsibilities
- Apply and adapt state-of-the-art NLP and machine learning techniques to extract structured, reliable signals from employee listening data (surveys, free-text feedback, and related channels), using reasonable assumptions, data, and customer requirements.
- Design, develop, and implement small-to-medium ML components on top of the employee listening system — such as theme and sentiment extraction, text classification, and aggregated signal generation — with input and guidance from senior scientists, taking ownership of the code in your components.
- Write secure, stable, testable, maintainable, well-reviewed code (at the SDE I bar) to deliver solutions into production that benefit customers and the business.
- Design features and signals responsibly, applying privacy-preserving practices appropriate to sensitive employee data.
- Collaborate with cross-functional partners to understand business context and impact, and help mentor interns.
- Communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, from technical peers to senior leadership.
About the team
The People eXperience and Technology Central Science Team (PXTCS) uses economics, applied science, statistics, and machine learning to proactively identify mechanisms and process improvements which simultaneously improve Amazon and the lives, wellbeing, and the value of work to Amazonians. We build and apply science on top of Amazon's employee listening systems — turning what Amazonians tell us into products and insights that improve their experience. We are an interdisciplinary team that combines the talents of science and engineering to develop and deliver solutions that measurably achieve this goal.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
- Experience with SQL and an RDBMS (e.g., Oracle) or Data Warehouse
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience implementing algorithms using both toolkits and self-developed code
- Have publications at top-tier peer-reviewed conferences or journals
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CA, San Francisco - 157,300.00 - 212,800.00 USD annually
USA, MA, Boston - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Arlington - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Bellevue - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
We are seeking an Applied Scientist to build production machine learning systems that turn Amazon's employee listening signals into insight at scale. You will design, develop, and deploy ML solutions that transform large volumes of employee feedback — survey responses, free-text comments, and other listening channels — into signals that drive strategic decision-making across the organization. In this role, you will work on challenging problems spanning natural language processing, large language models, predictive modeling, and generative AI applications applied to employee experience. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate ambiguous business challenges into rigorous technical solutions.
Key job responsibilities
- Apply and adapt state-of-the-art NLP and machine learning techniques to extract structured, reliable signals from employee listening data (surveys, free-text feedback, and related channels), using reasonable assumptions, data, and customer requirements.
- Design, develop, and implement small-to-medium ML components on top of the employee listening system — such as theme and sentiment extraction, text classification, and aggregated signal generation — with input and guidance from senior scientists, taking ownership of the code in your components.
- Write secure, stable, testable, maintainable, well-reviewed code (at the SDE I bar) to deliver solutions into production that benefit customers and the business.
- Design features and signals responsibly, applying privacy-preserving practices appropriate to sensitive employee data.
- Collaborate with cross-functional partners to understand business context and impact, and help mentor interns.
- Communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, from technical peers to senior leadership.
About the team
The People eXperience and Technology Central Science Team (PXTCS) uses economics, applied science, statistics, and machine learning to proactively identify mechanisms and process improvements which simultaneously improve Amazon and the lives, wellbeing, and the value of work to Amazonians. We build and apply science on top of Amazon's employee listening systems — turning what Amazonians tell us into products and insights that improve their experience. We are an interdisciplinary team that combines the talents of science and engineering to develop and deliver solutions that measurably achieve this goal.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
- Experience with SQL and an RDBMS (e.g., Oracle) or Data Warehouse
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience implementing algorithms using both toolkits and self-developed code
- Have publications at top-tier peer-reviewed conferences or journals
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CA, San Francisco - 157,300.00 - 212,800.00 USD annually
USA, MA, Boston - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Arlington - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Bellevue - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
See All 180+ Scientist Jobs in Arlington
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Who's Hiring
- Amazon53
- Amazon Web Services32
- RTX11
- Cortek11
- Guidehouse11
Scientist Jobs in Arlington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a scientist job in Arlington?
The strongest path into Arlington's scientist market runs through defense contractors, federal agencies, and research-focused consulting firms clustered along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and in Crystal City. Candidates with active security clearances or clearance eligibility move significantly faster through hiring. Tailoring your application to federal contracting language and highlighting quantitative research skills gives you a measurable edge in this market.
Which companies hire scientists in Arlington?
Employers hiring scientists in Arlington right now include Amazon, Amazon Web Services, and RTX, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Arlington's employer mix skews heavily toward defense primes, federal agency satellite offices, and government-adjacent research organizations, many anchored near the Pentagon and Crystal City.
Are there remote scientist jobs in Arlington?
Yes, though it depends heavily on the role: hands-on laboratory and fieldwork positions are almost entirely on-site, while data science, modeling, and analytical research roles are far more remote-friendly. About 51% of scientist openings tied to Arlington are remote or hybrid as of November 2026. Hybrid arrangements are most common among policy research and computational science roles supporting federal clients.
How can I get a scientist job in Arlington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Arlington is through internships or junior analyst roles with defense contractors and federally funded research centers, many of which recruit from nearby universities including George Mason and American University. Entry-level research associate and laboratory technician positions at these organizations regularly open doors to full scientist roles. Obtaining even a preliminary security clearance eligibility and building skills in data analysis or scientific computing strengthens your candidacy with Arlington's contractor-heavy employer base.
See All 180+ Scientist Jobs in Arlington
Find roles in Arlington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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