Data Scientist

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a Data Scientist to build and curate the knowledge base for a generative AI/ML research effort, and to develop the data and knowledge extraction pipelines for machine learning models. The role is responsible for extracting, structuring, and validating design knowledge into knowledge graphs and ontologies; for engineering the metadata, annotation, and provenance of program datasets; and for the analysis that turns results, laboratory measurements, and simulation output into actionable findings for the research team.

The ideal candidate is a strong applied data scientist with an interest in symbolic and structured representations of knowledge. Experience with formal methods and domain-specific languages (DSLs) is desired but not required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, build, and populate the research team’s effort knowledge bases, and maintain it under version control with provenance tracking
• Develop knowledge extraction pipelines (rule-based, statistical, and ML-assisted) that convert unstructured and semi-structured sources into structured, queryable knowledge; establish quality metrics and validation procedures for extracted content
• Engineer the metadata, annotation schema, and packaging for program datasets (synthetic, simulated, and real collections) so that datasets are reproducible, well documented, and deliverable on the program data sharing schedule
• Perform exploratory and inferential analysis on training data, simulation output, and evaluation results; build dashboards and reports that show where generated waveforms succeed or fail against objectives, and feed findings back to AI model researchers and engineers
• Contribute data and analysis sections to design reviews, monthly status reports, and dataset documentation; coordinate with academic subcontractors on shared data and knowledge resources

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of applied data science or data engineering experience (or MS with 3+ years) with a record of delivering data pipelines and analyses that other engineers and researchers depend on
• Strong Python proficiency including the scientific stack (NumPy, pandas, SciPy, scikit-learn) and experience with at least one deep learning framework (PyTorch preferred)
• Hands-on experience with knowledge graphs, ontologies, or structured knowledge representation (RDF/OWL, property graphs such as Neo4j, or equivalent) and with querying and validating them (SPARQL, Cypher, SHACL, or similar)
• Experience designing data schemas, metadata standards, and annotation workflows for large scientific or engineering datasets, including data versioning and provenance
• Solid statistical foundations: experimental design, hypothesis testing, uncertainty quantification, and the ability to explain results to technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience with SQL and with at least one workflow or pipeline orchestration tool (Airflow, Prefect, Dagster, DVC, or equivalent)
• Ability to produce clear documentation including data dictionaries, dataset cards, and analysis reports
• US Citizenship

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with formal methods or formal verification, such as SMT solvers (Z3, cvc5), model checkers, property-based testing (Hypothesis), or proof assistants, particularly applied to validating generated programs or signal processing pipelines
• Experience designing or implementing domain-specific languages: grammar design, parser generators (ANTLR, Lark, or similar), type systems, intermediate representations, or compiling DSL programs to executable code
• Background in symbolic AI or neuro-symbolic methods: logic programming, constraint solving, rule engines, or program synthesis
• Familiarity with digital signal processing and communications fundamentals (modulation, filtering, coding, channel effects) or with GNU Radio and software-defined radio data formats (I/Q sample handling, SigMF or similar metadata standards)
• Prior work on IARPA, DARPA, or similar government research programs, including data sharing plans, privacy protection plans, and delivery of datasets to independent T&E teams
• Experience building causal or probabilistic models from structured knowledge, or working alongside causal inference researchers
• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
• Willingness and ability to obtain Secret security clearance

Target Salary Range

$146,000 - $234,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

Benefits Statement

Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed at https://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits.

Application Statements

The application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in the role and the Company. During the review of your application, you may be required to participate in an on-camera interview, as well as participate in a process to verify your identity. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools of any kind during Peraton interviews is strictly prohibited unless the candidate has obtained prior written authorization. All interview responses must be the candidate’s own.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.