Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs in District of Columbia

Senior Staff Data Scientist jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in Washington DC, where federal agencies, defense contractors, and policy-driven research institutions drive consistent demand for advanced modeling, machine learning, and AI governance expertise. Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and the Urban Institute are among the established employers with a lasting presence here, regularly seeking senior staff data scientists to lead high-stakes analytical programs. The most in-demand specialties are causal inference, natural language processing, and geospatial analytics tied to federal mission work. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles96
Top employerBooz Allen Hamilton
Top cityWashington, DC
Work type53% On-site
Top industryConsulting
Companies hiring52

Showing 5 of 96+ Senior Staff Data Scientist jobs

C
Data Scientist II
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C
New 1m ago
Data Scientist II
Company
Washington, District of Columbia
Customer Support
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
Remote (US)
Experience equivalent to degree accepted

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Booz Allen Hamilton
Data Scientist
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Booz Allen Hamilton
New 1m ago
Data Scientist
Booz Allen Hamilton
Washington, District of Columbia
Data Analytics
Data Science
On-Site
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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US United States Fleet Forces Command
Supervisory Physical Scientist
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US United States Fleet Forces Command
New 1m ago
Supervisory Physical Scientist
US United States Fleet Forces Command
Washington, District of Columbia
Cybersecurity
Product Management
Project Management
Hybrid
Military encouraged

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US United States Fleet Forces Command
Physical Scientist
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US United States Fleet Forces Command
New 1m ago
Physical Scientist
US United States Fleet Forces Command
Washington, District of Columbia
Account Management
Business Operations
Customer Service
On-Site
Military encouraged

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A
Graph Data Scientist
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A
New 1m ago
Graph Data Scientist
ARDENT
Washington, District of Columbia
Data Analytics
Data Science
Healthcare Administration
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree in statistics

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See All 96 Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs in District of Columbia

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Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs by City in District of Columbia

Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Senior Staff Data Scientist Job Market in District of Columbia

A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Booz Allen Hamilton
    Booz Allen Hamilton14
  • BigBear.ai
    BigBear.ai6
  • Exponent
    Exponent5
  • Children's National Hospital
    Children's National Hospital4
  • Noblis
    Noblis3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services13
  • Technology & Software5
  • Healthcare & Medical Services5
  • Science & Research1
  • Aerospace & Defense1

What District of Columbia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in senior staff data scientist jobs across District of Columbia.

  • Advanced degree in statistics, computer science, mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field
  • Extensive experience leading end-to-end machine learning or statistical modeling projects in production environments
  • Proficiency in Python, R, and SQL with demonstrated experience on large-scale datasets
  • Ability to obtain or hold an active federal security clearance, often required by DC government contractors
  • Proven ability to mentor junior data scientists and drive cross-functional analytical strategy
  • Experience communicating complex findings to senior stakeholders and non-technical federal agency audiences

Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a senior staff data scientist in District of Columbia?

Reaching the senior staff level in District of Columbia typically requires a graduate degree in a quantitative field such as statistics, computer science, or applied mathematics, combined with deep experience in machine learning or causal modeling. Because much of DC's market is tied to federal contracting, candidates who pursue and maintain a federal security clearance through agencies like DOD or DHS gain a significant competitive edge over peers with equivalent technical skills.

How much do senior staff data scientists make in District of Columbia?

Senior staff 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 senior staff data scientists in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia senior staff data scientist roles are posted by Booz Allen Hamilton, BigBear.ai, and Exponent and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. DC's concentration of defense and intelligence contractors means many openings sit within large systems integrators and federally funded research and development centers.

Which District of Columbia cities have the most senior staff data scientist jobs?

Washington account for the most senior staff data scientist openings in District of Columbia. Washington DC dominates because of its dense cluster of federal agencies and the contractors that serve them, while neighboring areas like Arlington and Bethesda generate additional demand from the defense and health policy sectors headquartered just across the district line.

Are there remote senior staff data scientist jobs in District of Columbia?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 47% of senior staff data scientist openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, though roles involving classified federal data or cleared contractor work will typically require on-site presence. Modeling, research, and policy analytics positions are the most likely to offer full remote flexibility.

How can I get hired as a senior staff data scientist in District of Columbia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path in DC is through federal agency internship programs and fellowship pipelines such as the Presidential Management Fellows program or data science rotational programs at agencies like the Census Bureau or NOAA. Candidates transitioning from adjacent roles such as data analyst, statistician, or research scientist at think tanks like the Brookings Institution or RAND's DC office frequently move into junior data scientist positions before progressing. Building a portfolio of reproducible policy-relevant analyses strengthens any application significantly.

Where can I find and apply to senior staff data scientist jobs in District of Columbia?

You can find and apply to senior staff data scientist jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the district. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 96 Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs in District of Columbia

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