Lead Data Scientist

MITRE’s Center for Government Effectiveness and Modernization (CGEM) works across US Treasury, Commerce, and Veterans Affairs. These agencies affect every household in the country; our job is to make them more effective. The Tax and Data Analytics department (P823) is seeking a Lead Data Scientist to join our team, located in McLean, VA. As a key member of our data analytics team, the Lead Data Scientist will help the Federal Treasury & Tax Administration Division (FT&TA) shape and execute its vision for supporting the Treasury and its bureaus in their need to use data science, advanced analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to achieve mission goals.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Serve as technical leader for data science and AI efforts supporting Treasury and tax administration missions.
• Provide task leadership or project leadership to small functional teams to drive outcomes and oversee tasking.
• Work with government sponsors, domain experts, and project teams to translate complex mission needs into well-defined analytical questions and technical approaches.
• Apply data science concepts, e.g., machine learning, statistical inference, to solve financial ecosystem tax administration problems.
• Select and develop appropriate analytical methods and techniques for the problem at hand.
• Develop actionable insights based on analysis across multiple structured and unstructured data sources.
• Be knowledgeable of industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes related to data science.
• Perform across a broad range of assignments.
• Work independently with guidance in only the most complex situations.
• Work onsite at MITRE’s McLean location or at a US Government location in the Washington, DC region 50% of the time.

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Academic background in Information Management, Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics or a related field.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically.
• Experience in designing and implementing predictive models and analytics.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to link technical results to the business domain.
• Demonstrated expertise with programming languages, preferably Python and/or R.
• Experience with using Large Language Models to accelerate workflows.
• Experience with data engineering and data querying languages such as SQL.
• Experience linking data to business processes, concepts and outcomes.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a IRS-Suitability.
• This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site, * Experience serving as a technical lead for multidisciplinary teams, including setting technical direction, defining tasking across multiple competencies, resolving complex analytical issues, and ensuring the quality and rigor of teamwork products.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Experience with data visualization tools like Tableau, Power BI, or D3.js.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Federal financial ecosystem and/or tax administration ecosystem, e.g., payment integrity, compliance processes, taxpayer service, IRS technology and infrastructure.
• Familiarity with data architecture and data management concepts and strategies, such as the data lifecycle, data stewardship and governance.
• Experience with data management and governance, such as designing data standards and models.
• Experience developing LLM-enabled applications and agentic frameworks.

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That’s because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation’s toughest challenges-and we’re committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We’re making a difference every day-working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us.