Junior Data Scientist

The Capabilities, Analysis and Development (CAD) division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) has an outstanding opportunity for a Junior Data Scientist to support a multi‑disciplinary team providing data analysis and visualization support across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission space. You will support data-driven decision making by analyzing data, developing basic models, creating visualizations, and generating actionable insights as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering analytical and software solutions for national security missions. This role is ideal for early-career data scientists passionate about solving real operational problems and building prototypes in an agile environment.

This position is contingent upon award of a contract expected in July 2026.

Essential Functions:

Assist with processing, cleaning, and transforming structured and unstructured data.

Support development of analytics, machine learning and statistical models, and exploratory data analysis.

Create basic visualizations to identify patterns, trends, and performance indicators.

Work with senior data scientists and developers to translate user needs into analytic tasks.

Contribute to the design, testing, and deployment of data and analytic workflows.

Build and deploy scripts and tools to automate routine data tasks.

Help prepare documentation, user guides, and training materials.

Stay current on emerging technologies, analytic methods, and industry best practices.

Collaborate as part of an agile team, and contribute to sprint activities.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in data science, statistics, computer science, mathematics, or a related field with 2+ years’ experience, or a Master’s degree in data science, statistics, computer science, mathematics, or a related field.

Must be a US Citizen.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a DHS Suitability clearance.

Experience performing analysis on large datasets and knowledge of machine learning tools and statistical techniques to produce solutions

Proficiency with common data science scripting tools and software (Python, R, SQL, SAS) and data visualization (Tableau, Qlik, Power BI) tools

Ability to write clearly and produce documentation, user guides, and training materials.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience with common data packages such as pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, pytorch, and data visualization frameworks such as matplotlib, seaborn, and Plotly

Experience with APIs, CSV/JSON datasets, or relational databases

Experience in developing statistical forecasting, network analysis

Experience with geospatial analyses, as well as ESRI products such as ArcGIS

Familiarity with Agile development practices and collaborative tools such as Jira and Gitlab

DHS Suitability

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 1200 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership fosters greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Junior Data Scientist position.

Experience

Required

2 - 4 years: Data Science experience

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Data Science or related field

Preferred

Masters or better in Data Science or related field

Behaviors

Required

Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject

Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Preferred

Thought Provoking: Capable of making others think deeply on a subject

Motivations

Required

Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help

Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility

Goal Completion: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks

Entrepreneurial Spirit: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.