Data Scientist / Project Manager

Peraton is seeking an experienced Data Scientist / Project Manager to lead a high-performing team of engineers, data scientists, and analysts in direct support of U.S. Army Cyber Command's (ARCYBER) Data Management and Analytics Directorate (DMA). This is a dual-hat leadership role requiring both deep technical expertise in data science and the program management acumen to deliver results on a complex, multi-functional task order. Location: Fort Gordon, GA.

You will serve as the technical and operational lead for the DMA support team, driving the acquisition, curation, analysis, and visualization of data that enables Army and Joint commanders to make informed, data-driven decisions. Your team's work directly supports ARCYBER's mission to achieve analytic superiority and information advantage across the DoWIN-A enterprise.
This role is ideal for a technically grounded leader who thrives at the intersection of data engineering, advanced analytics, and mission-focused program execution in a classified DoW environment.

Key Responsibilities:
Technical Leadership

• Lead a team of engineers, data scientists, and analysts in the design, development, and delivery of data products and analytic capabilities in support of ARCYBER operations.
• Build, maintain, and optimize Python scripts and packages used by data analysts across the DMA team, establishing reusable frameworks and coding standards.
• Curate and develop a solid data foundation — both structured and unstructured — in close coordination with the government client, ensuring data is Visible, Accessible, Understandable, Linked, Trustworthy, Interoperable, and Secure (VAULTIS).
• Process modeling data and perform robust analytics to support operational and strategic decision-making for Army and Joint organizational elements.
• Apply online experimentation, Machine Learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), and dynamic network analysis to develop personalized, mission-relevant data products.
• Oversee integration of analytics and visualizations into the Army's Big Data Platform (BDP), Gabriel Nimbus, and related platforms (AWS GovCloud, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud).
• Provide architectural oversight to ensure DMA data products, pipelines, and cloud environments align with DoD and Army reference architectures and enterprise data standards.

Program Management

• Serve as the accountable program manager for the successful technical, schedule, and cost performance of the DMA support team in accordance with Task Order (TO) contract requirements and Peraton company policies.
• Monitor and manage all phases of the project budget; coordinate with the government client on TDP funding, provide financial forecasts, and ensure cost performance remains within approved parameters.
• Maintain program documentation, status reporting, and deliverable compliance in accordance with contract requirements — including Monthly Status Reports (NLT 10 days after month start), In-Progress Reviews (IPRs), and CSSP certification artifacts.
• Identify and mitigate program risks; escalate issues to the Program Director with recommended courses of action.
• Coordinate with ARCYBER G3, DMA leadership, and Peraton leadership to align team priorities with mission requirements and contract objectives.

Business Development

• Identify and pursue follow-on business opportunities associated with the DMA portfolio and ARCYBER cyberspace operations support.
• Lead or contribute to major proposals, white papers, and capability briefings in support of new business development efforts.
• Represent Peraton's DMA capabilities to government stakeholders, building relationships that support long-term program growth.

People Leadership

• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of professional and technical personnel across the DMA functional areas: Integration & Data (ID2), Data Governance, Data Analysis, Knowledge Management, G33 Operations Support, and Enterprise Architecture.
• Conduct performance evaluations, support career development planning, and maintain aggressive efforts to achieve individual and team objectives.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement aligned with Peraton's values.

Required Qualifications:

• 12 years of experience, with supervisory or management experience
• Proficiency in Python for data engineering, analytics, and automation (scripting, packages, Jupyter environments)
• Hands-on experience with Machine Learning frameworks and NLP techniques
• Experience with cloud platforms — AWS GovCloud, Microsoft Azure, and/or Google Cloud
• Familiarity with big data platforms and tools (e.g., Spark, Kafka, Hadoop, or equivalent)
• Experience with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent)
• Demonstrated experience managing cost, schedule, and technical performance on DoD task orders
• Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies and tools (e.g., Jira)
• Familiarity with DoD data governance frameworks, RMF, and CSSP requirements
• Active TS clearance with ability to obtain/maintain SCI, Polygraph and MEAD
• U.S. Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or a related technical field; a Master's degree in a relevant technical or analytical field is highly desirable
• 10+ years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years in a technical program or project management role on DoD contracts
• Experience supporting ARCYBER, USCYBERCOM, or Army cyber mission partners
• Familiarity with Gabriel Nimbus (GN), IONIC, ALEX, or the Army Big Data Platform (BDP)
• Knowledge of MITRE ATT&CK framework and its application to defensive cyber analyticss
• Experience with JCWA platforms (Unified Platform, JCC2, JCHK, PCTE)
• PMP, DAU Program Management, or equivalent certification
• Experience with DoD data strategy frameworks (VAULTIS, DoD Data Strategy 2020)
• Prior experience leading proposals and winning follow-on business in the DoD cyber domain