Principal / Sr. Principal Data Scientist – ML and Predictive Analytics

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · San Diego, CA +1 · Data Science

This role focuses on architecting and building custom, high-performance statistics and machine learning tools from the ground up, involving deep data modeling, abstracting reusable patterns, and writing modular code. It emphasizes software engineering best practices, CI/CD, and optimizing algorithms within an on-premise infrastructure. The role is for a Principal or Sr. Principal Data Scientist with a strong background in ML/DL, software development, data engineering, Python, and SQL, requiring a Top Secret clearance.

What you'd actually do

  1. Collaborate closely with software engineers, analysts, and other data scientists to understand data requirements and deliver robust, integrated solutions.
  2. Architect and develop custom, maintainable data science solutions from the ground up.
  3. Write and maintain tests and documentation for data architecture, workflows, and processes.
  4. Champion software engineering best practices within the data domain, including comprehensive unit/integration testing, CI/CD automation (Git, Docker), and robust documentation.
  5. Tune and optimize complex algorithms within our on-premise infrastructure.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics discipline
  • minimum of 5 years of relevant experience (Principal) or 8 years (Sr. Principal)
  • Deep understanding of Machine Learning and Deep Learning
  • Recent professional experience in software development and/or data engineering
  • Strong programming skills in Python and SQL
  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and version control (e.g., Git, Docker, etc.)
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Top Secret clearance and Special Access Program (SAP)

Nice to have

  • Master’s degree or higher, in Data Science or related discipline
  • Experience with C/C++
  • Experience with machine learning pipelines and data science workflows
  • Familiarity with SQL Alchemy, Numpy, Pandas, SKLearn, PyTorch
  • Ability to troubleshoot and optimize complex data queries and workflows
  • Familiarity with big data concepts, machine learning pipelines, and MLOps
  • Excellent problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Current, Active, DoD Top Secret clearance and Special Program Access

What the JD emphasized

  • custom, high-performance statistics and machine learning tools from the ground up
  • deep data modeling
  • abstracting reusable patterns
  • writing modular, maintainable code
  • software engineering best practices
  • CI/CD automation
  • Tune and optimize complex algorithms

Other signals

  • architect and build the core data logic of our systems
  • creating custom, high-performance statistics and machine learning tools from the ground up
  • deep data modeling
  • abstracting reusable patterns
  • writing modular, maintainable code
  • Champion software engineering best practices within the data domain
  • CI/CD automation
  • Tune and optimize complex algorithms