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Principal Data Science - Job Opportunity at General Dynamics Information Technology

Remote, United States
Full-time
Senior
Posted: August 15, 2025
Remote
USD 148,750 - 201,250 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive flexible work arrangements with full-flex work week providing exceptional work-life balance superior to industry standards
Competitive 401K retirement plan with company matching contributions ensuring long-term financial security
Premium comprehensive health and wellness packages including multiple medical plan options with Health Savings Account capabilities
Internal mobility team providing dedicated career advancement support and personalized career ownership guidance
Professional development investment through paid education opportunities and certification programs
Access to cutting-edge technology platforms for continuous learning and skill enhancement
Generous paid time off structure including 15 days annual leave, 10 paid holidays, plus comprehensive leave options for personal, military, parental, and jury duty needs
Robust insurance portfolio covering short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, and business travel protection
GDIT Paid Family Leave program offering up to 160 hours of paid leave in rolling 12-month periods

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic data science initiatives by leveraging statistical analysis and Python programming to transform massive datasets into actionable business intelligence that directly impacts organizational decision-making
Spearhead AI and machine learning solution architecture to solve complex mission-critical challenges, positioning the organization as a leader in advanced analytics
Create high-impact executive briefings, proposal materials, and reusable strategic artifacts that influence multi-million dollar client engagements and drive business growth
Lead technical proposal development and executive presentations that showcase organizational capabilities and secure competitive advantages in government contracting
Provide authoritative technical review and strategic feedback on proposals to strengthen solution positioning and increase win probability
Orchestrate end-to-end prototyping and technical implementation strategies that demonstrate proof-of-concept value and accelerate client adoption
Serve as senior technical consultant managing high-stakes client relationships and internal stakeholder engagement to drive strategic alignment and project success

Requirements

Education

Master's Degree

Experience

8+ years of related experience

Required Skills

Data Science Machine Learning Prototyping Cloud Services Data wrangling best practices, tools, and techniques AI/ML and Generative AI Cloud Services AI and Data Services Data integration, data migration, analysis and visualization Cloud-native data analytic solution architectures Client relationship management & requirements gathering
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The federal government contracting sector is experiencing unprecedented investment in AI and machine learning capabilities, with agencies allocating billions in budget for digital transformation initiatives that require senior data science expertise. Government contractors like GDIT are establishing Centers of Excellence to capture this growing market opportunity. Generative AI adoption in government and defense sectors is accelerating rapidly, creating high demand for data scientists who can navigate complex security clearance requirements and regulatory compliance while implementing cutting-edge AI solutions. Cloud-native data analytics architectures are becoming the standard for government modernization efforts, with AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, and other FedRAMP-compliant platforms driving the need for specialists who understand both technical implementation and federal compliance requirements. The shift toward remote and hybrid work models in government contracting has expanded the talent pool nationally, but also intensified competition for senior-level data scientists who can work independently while managing complex client relationships.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of $148,750 - $201,250 is highly competitive and aligns well with market rates for principal-level data scientists in government contracting. This range reflects the premium associated with federal contracting expertise, the senior nature of the role, and GDIT's position as a major government contractor. The upper end of this range is particularly attractive for candidates with strong proposal development experience and client-facing skills.

Role Significance

Typically leads or collaborates with cross-functional teams of 5-15 members including junior data scientists, engineers, proposal managers, and subject matter experts. May also interface with larger program teams of 20-50 people on major government contracts, serving as the senior technical authority for data science components.
This is a senior individual contributor role with significant strategic influence and thought leadership responsibilities. The position operates at the intersection of technical execution and business development, requiring someone who can drive technical decisions while influencing million-dollar proposal outcomes. The role reports likely to senior management or C-level executives given its impact on business development.

Key Projects

Multi-million dollar federal agency digital transformation initiatives involving legacy system modernization and cloud migration with advanced analytics capabilities Department of Defense AI/ML pilot programs requiring rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept development under strict security and performance requirements Intelligence community data integration projects combining multiple classified and unclassified data sources for enhanced decision-making capabilities Homeland Security predictive analytics platforms for threat detection and risk assessment using machine learning algorithms on massive datasets

Success Factors

Exceptional ability to translate complex technical concepts into compelling business narratives that resonate with both technical evaluators and executive decision-makers during proposal evaluations Deep understanding of federal acquisition processes, proposal development lifecycle, and the unique requirements of government contracting including compliance, security, and performance standards Strong relationship-building skills with government clients, including the ability to understand unstated requirements, navigate bureaucratic processes, and build long-term partnerships that drive repeat business Proven track record of delivering production-ready AI/ML solutions within government constraints including security clearance requirements, data sensitivity protocols, and regulatory compliance frameworks Leadership capabilities to mentor junior staff, drive technical standards across the organization, and represent the company as a thought leader at industry conferences and client meetings

Market Demand

Extremely high demand exists for this role profile, as government agencies are prioritizing AI/ML initiatives while facing a shortage of senior data scientists with both technical expertise and federal contracting experience. The combination of proposal development skills, client management capabilities, and deep AI/ML knowledge makes this a highly sought-after position.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Python programming and statistical analysis capabilities are absolutely essential as they form the foundation for all technical work, from data exploration and model development to production system implementation. Government clients expect demonstrated proficiency in these core tools. AI/ML and Generative AI expertise is critical given the federal government's massive investment in artificial intelligence initiatives. The ability to architect, implement, and optimize machine learning solutions at scale directly impacts project success and contract renewals. Cloud services proficiency, particularly with government-compliant platforms like AWS GovCloud and Azure Government, is essential as federal agencies mandate cloud-first strategies. Understanding of FedRAMP compliance and government cloud architectures is a key differentiator. Proposal development and client presentation skills are mission-critical for this role, as success is measured not just by technical delivery but by the ability to win new business and expand existing contracts through compelling technical narratives.

Beneficial Skills

Security clearance eligibility, while not currently required, would significantly expand career opportunities and increase market value, as many federal AI projects require various levels of clearance Project management certification (PMP, Agile, etc.) would enhance ability to lead complex technical implementations and manage cross-functional teams effectively Industry-specific knowledge in areas like defense, intelligence, or homeland security would provide valuable context for developing more targeted and effective solutions Public speaking and thought leadership capabilities would accelerate career growth by establishing personal brand recognition in the federal contracting community

Unique Aspects

This role uniquely combines deep technical AI/ML expertise with business development responsibilities, making it ideal for senior data scientists who want to influence strategic direction rather than just execute technical tasks
The position offers exposure to cutting-edge government AI initiatives that are often 2-3 years ahead of commercial applications, particularly in areas like national security, intelligence analysis, and large-scale data integration
Opportunity to work on projects with significant national impact while building a personal brand as a thought leader in the federal AI/ML community through proposal presentations and client engagement
The role provides a pathway to influence federal AI policy and standards through direct client advisory relationships with senior government officials and participation in industry working groups
Remote work flexibility combined with minimal travel requirements (less than 10%) offers exceptional work-life balance while maintaining engagement with high-profile, mission-critical projects

Career Growth

Career progression to director-level roles typically occurs within 2-4 years given the high demand for senior talent and rapid growth in the federal AI/ML market. C-level positions are achievable within 5-7 years for high performers who successfully build a track record of major contract wins and technical innovation.

Potential Next Roles

Director of Data Science or AI/ML Practice Lead overseeing multiple client engagements and technical teams across the organization Chief Technology Officer or Chief Data Officer roles within mid-size government contractors, responsible for setting technical strategy and innovation direction Partner or Principal roles in consulting firms specializing in government digital transformation and AI implementation Senior executive positions in government agencies leading digital transformation initiatives and AI adoption strategies

Company Overview

General Dynamics Information Technology

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) is a major federal contractor and subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation, specializing in technology services for government agencies. With approximately 30,000 employees globally and operations in over 50 countries, GDIT serves virtually every major federal agency including Defense, Intelligence, and Civilian sectors. The company focuses on digital modernization, cybersecurity, cloud services, and emerging technologies like AI/ML.

GDIT ranks among the top 10 federal contractors by revenue, competing directly with major players like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Booz Allen Hamilton. The company has consistently grown through strategic acquisitions and has established itself as a leader in IT modernization and emerging technology implementation for government clients. Their AI Center of Excellence represents a significant investment in capturing the growing federal AI market.
As a remote position, this role provides access to GDIT's nationwide client base including major government agencies in Washington DC, defense installations across the country, and civilian agencies in regional offices. The remote work model allows the company to compete for top talent nationally while serving clients who are increasingly comfortable with distributed teams.
GDIT emphasizes innovation, professional development, and work-life balance as evidenced by their comprehensive benefits package and flexible work arrangements. The company culture combines the stability and resources of a large corporation with the agility needed to compete in the rapidly evolving government technology market. Strong focus on employee retention through career development and competitive compensation.
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