Job Description

Job Title: Data Scientist (or AI Engineer)

Location: Tampa, FL - MacDill AFB

Workplace: Hybrid; 2-3 days per week onsite at MacDill AFB, FL

Clearance: Top Secret (TS)

Elder Research is seeking mid to senior-level Data Scientists (AI Engineers) to support a U.S. national security client at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL. In this mission-focused role, you will apply advanced data science and AI/ML techniques to enable intelligence analysts to uncover hidden patterns, enhance decision-making, and drive intelligence innovation in support of national security.

This hybrid role offers the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of analytics and defense, directly impacting military operations across the U.S. Intelligence and Defense community. Our team integrates expertise in data science, AI/ML, and intelligence operations to deliver data-driven solutions for the U.S. National Security enterprise. The work directly contributes to decision-making, mission readiness, and the ability of operators to succeed in a complex global battlespace.

Key Responsibilities:

As a Data Scientist on this program, you will:

• Lead and conduct multifaceted analytic studies on large, diverse data sets.
• Develop and deploy AI/ML models to enrich data and provide utility to intelligence analysts.
• Perform complex data assessments to determine the operational relevance of proposed data sets for answering priority intelligence requirements.
• Build and maintain data pipelines to ingest, transform, and structure both structured and unstructured data.
• Discover links, patterns, and connections in disparate datasets, providing analysts with actionable context.
• Experiment with exploratory mathematical, statistical, and computational techniques to identify new insights.
• Provide solutions to command-level data challenges through rigorous analysis and innovative applications.
• Support the development of tailored data environments and tools for intelligence analysts.

Requirements:

• Education Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (e.g., Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, IT, or related discipline).
• Years of Experience:
  • 3-6 years; mid-level data scientist
  • 6+ years; senior-level data scientist
• Clearance active Top Secret (TS)
• AI/ML Expertise
  • Demonstrated experience applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) to real-world problems.
  • Hands-on experience training, fine-tuning, and configuring AI/ML models and deploying them into production environments.
  • Proficiency in at least one AI/ML branch (e.g., Natural Language Processing, computer vision, generative AI, agentic AI).
• Programming & Tools
  • Strong programming skills in Python, R, Java, Rust, or similar languages.
  • Experience with AI/ML Ops, SQL/noSQL databases, and frameworks such as SQLAlchemy, Flask, Streamlit, Dash, React, and Spark.
  • Familiarity with APIs, CI/CD pipelines, and web technologies (JavaScript, HTML/CSS).
• Analytical & Research Skills
  • Ability to interpret and analyze structured and unstructured data using exploratory mathematical and statistical techniques.
  • Experience cleaning, transforming, and organizing data to support advanced analytics.
  • Ability to experiment with datasets, derive insights, and provide innovative solutions to complex mission challenges.
• Collaboration & Communication
  • Ability to work independently as well as within cross-functional teams.
  • Strong communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
  • Capable of coordinating research and analytic activities with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Experience supporting the intelligence domain, particularly Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).
• Previous work supporting Special Operations Forces (SOF) missions or U.S. national security customers.
• Demonstrated expertise acrossmultiple AI/ML disciplines (e.g., NLP, computer vision, generative AI, agentic AI).

Why apply to this position at Elder Research?

1. Competitive Salary and Benefits
2. Important Work / Make a Difference supporting U.S. national security.
3. Job Stability Elder Research is not a typical government contractor, we hire you for a career not just a contract.
4. People-Focused Culture: we prioritize work-life-balance and provide a supportive, positive, and collaborative work environment as well as opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
5. Company Stock Ownership: all employees are provided with shares of the company each year based on company value and profits.

About Elder Research, Inc

People Centered. Data Driven

Elder Research is a fast growing consulting firm specializing in predictive analytics. Being in the data mining business almost 30 years, we pride ourselves in our ability to find creative, cutting edge solutions to real-world problems. We work hard to provide the best value to our clients and allow each person to contribute their ideas and put their skills to use immediately.

Our team members are passionate, curious, life-long learners. We value humility, servant-leadership, teamwork, and integrity. We seek to serve our clients and our teammates to the best of our abilities. In keeping with our entrepreneurial spirit, we want candidates who are self-motivated with an innate curiosity and strong team work.

Elder Research believes in continuous learning and community - each week the entire company attends a “Tech Talk” and each office location provides lunch. Elder Research provides a supportive work environment with established parental, bereavement, and PTO policies. By prioritizing a healthy work-life balance - with reasonable hours, solid pay, low travel, and extremely flexible time off - Elder Research enables and encourages its employees to serve others and enjoy their lives.

Elder Research, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Elder Research is a Government contractor and many of our positions require US Citizenship.