Data Scientist Sr Prin

We’re hiring a Data Engineer who brings a modern understanding of Data Lakes and Cloud Deployed Database Design in a modern AI environment to join a software development team. You’ll join a team developing end-to-end architectures with clean interfaces, design resilient user journeys and design systems.  Your data science and engineering skills will be challenged with complex data engineering posed by often mixed structured and unstructured data containing gaps.  Velocity of data and AI systems intensify engagement with data lakes to gain insight require frameworks for ensuring trust in data that you will deliver.  This role involves leadership in the technical data frameworks as well as engagement with stakeholders whom will utilize the interfaces and applications developed.

Serve as a technical leader within the Chief Innovation Strategy Organization (CSO) in McLean, VA. We want technical leaders with visionary solutions, can tame complex technical problems, and set the standard for engineering excellence across a wide spectrum of software disciplines.

To maximize growth and ensure agility in changing markets, our leadership is evolving our structure and assembling our top talent into a unified engineering engine designed to outpace emerging challenges and drive sector-wide advancement. You will be a primary driver of that mission, charting technical pathways, leading high-impact initiatives, and mentoring the next generation of engineers.

You won't be weighed down by bureaucratic stagnation. You’ll join a culture that values bold technical risks, rewards creative engineering, and gives senior leaders the authority to shape the future of our technical and strategic software portfolio.  Join a rapidly growing organization, scaling our agentic construction of capabilities, serving our customers and ourselves leveraging advanced frameworks.  You will be important to continue evolving with and ahead of the market.

Opportunity

We are hiring a Data Engineer to act as a technical pillar across our multi-disciplinary portfolios. This position is a role focused on data science and data engineering in an AI centric software environment with the opportunity to learn and expand your scope.  You will own the architecture and execution of high-visibility systems, providing leadership across:

• Data Lake and Database Design and Implementation in Cloud Deployed Software Systems

• Complex Data Designs to Support AI/ML Service Integration & Agentic System Design

• AI Data Oriented Controls, Proxy Configuration and Security Design

Responsibilities

• Design & Implement End-to-End Data Environments – Develop an Ontology framework considering collection of varying data types and arrival rates in connection with analytic and delivered data demands.

• Optimize Data Performance – Enhance application performance, streamline deployment friction, and implement robust data ETL frameworks.

• Scope Technical Pathways – Collaborate directly with Principal Investigators (PIs), strategists, and technical leadership to scope technical requirements, evaluate feasibility, and architect solutions for incoming initiatives.

• Mentor & Guide Junior Data Engineers – Lead by example, mentoring junior developers in AI-native engineering practices, modern workflows, and clean code principles.

• Drive Technical Excellence – Troubleshoot complex production bottlenecks, and ensure architectural consistency across multi-domain projects.

What We Are Looking For – The Essentials

• Database Engineering – Leadership in database systems with experience in modern data lakes and cloud deployed data ontologies.

• Data Science – Beyond technical integration experience, we are seeking an individual with a keen understanding and passion for working with data to deliver insights and intelligence advancing best practices.

• Collaborative Leadership – Demonstrated success in technical teams, partnering with research or product stakeholders, and elevating the capabilities of surrounding engineers.

• Understanding of Software Engineering Principles – Expertise in multiple languages (such as Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Rust, Java, or C++), microservices architecture, cloud to embedded and distributed systems design.

• DevSecOps & Infrastructure Experience – Understanding of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform, Ansible), and enterprise-grade CI/CD pipelines.  Design for accreditation and deployment is key.

• Track Record – History of success in teams, delivery of viable systems from start to finish, adapting to changing tools and frameworks.  Be prepared to share lessons learned.

A Modern Mindset – Your Growth Edge

• AI-Integrated Engineer – You routinely leverage AI-assisted development tools and LLMs to optimize architecture, automate testing, and accelerate delivery timelines.

• Proactive Innovator – Constantly exploring new technology stacks, keeping pace with industry advancements, and bringing fresh ideas to the team.

Character & Culture

• Ownership Mentality – Takes complete responsibility for the stability, scalability, and quality of delivered features.

• Intellectual Honesty – Transparently evaluates risks, communicates technical trade-offs clearly, and drives practical solutions.

• Mission-Driven & Competitive – Deeply committed to delivering bulletproof technical solutions that solve critical operational challenges.

• Generous Team Member – Earns respect through technical depth, emotional intelligence, and an active commitment to mentoring and uplifting others.

Working Conditions

• Onsite in McLean, VA.  Flexible work and time options.

• Occasional travel to other BAE Systems sites, partner facilities, and stakeholder meetings.

• Reports to: Sr. Director, Capability Development.