SME Data Scientist Lead
SAIC · Scott Air Force Base
SAIC is seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Data Scientist Lead to support the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Joint Distribution Process Analysis Center (JDPAC V) at Scott AFB, IL. This role serves as the lead data scientist and principal technical advisor guiding advanced analytics and data engineering initiatives across the Department of Defense (DoD) sustainment supply chain and global distribution enterprise.
As USTRANSCOM transitions its analytical backbone from legacy on-premises systems (Teradata) to modern cloud environments—including the Palantir / Maven Smart System and AWS / War Data Platform—the SME – Data Scientist Lead will spearhead the architecture, development, and operationalization of advanced analytical models and decision-support tools. This position blends technical leadership, hands-on data science, and stakeholder collaboration to deliver actionable intelligence for global mobility, deployment, and distribution operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Technical Leadership & Cloud Modernization
- Serve as the lead data science SME, advising USTRANSCOM leadership and JDPAC stakeholders on analytic strategy, modern data architecture, and cloud adoption.
- Drive the migration of legacy analytic workflows and pipelines (Teradata) into enterprise cloud environments, primarily Palantir (Maven Smart System) and AWS (War Data Platform).
- Translate complex operational, distribution, and supply chain questions into rigorous mathematical models, predictive algorithms, and automated analytical pipelines.
- Data Engineering & Pipeline Development
- Design, implement, and govern data pipelines and ontologies across AWS and Palantir environments.
- Ingest, harmonize, and curate disparate, enterprise-scale logistics data from DoD transportation and supply data systems (including IGC and affiliated distribution feeds).
- Build robust data transformations and workflows utilizing modern cloud data tools and Power Automate to streamline recurring reporting processes.
- Data Science, Machine Learning & Operations Research
- Formulate and deploy advanced statistical, operations research, and machine learning addressing sustainment supply chain readiness, capacity constraints, and network distribution dynamics.
- Develop predictive and prescriptive capabilities, including:
- Multi-echelon supply and transportation demand forecasting
- Network and multimodal route optimization
- Port throughput and distribution bottleneck analysis
- Supply chain vulnerability, risk, and resilience modeling
- Deliver operational prototypes and simulation tools that evaluate time, cost, asset visibility, and mission trade-offs under dynamic operational conditions.
- Business Intelligence, Visualization & Automation
- Build and deliver interactive decision-support applications, dashboards, and exploratory tools using Palantir Workshop, Contour, Quiver, Qlik, Databricks, and Microsoft Power BI.
- Implement automated data alerts, workflows, and process integrations using Power Automate.
- Deliver high-impact executive briefings, technical documentation, and visual narratives to senior military and civilian leaders.
- Team Mentorship & Delivery Management
- Lead and mentor a team of data scientists, operations research analysts, and data engineers in modern analytics engineering, version control, and collaborative development best practices.
- Coordinate cross-functional requirements with functional logistics SMEs, data stewards, and cloud engineers in an agile delivery framework.
We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.