Data Scientist SME

Position Title: SME - Data Scientist
Position Type: Full-time, Fully On-Site
Location: Chantilly, VA
Clearance: Active TS/SCI FS Poly

Description:
Waypoint's client is seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Data Science for a key role supporting a government client in Chantilly, VA. This position centers on leveraging vast datasets within Splunk to provide critical insights into data usage and auditing. The ideal candidate will be a master of Splunk SPL, using it to extract and structure raw data, and will possess strong Python skills to further process, augment, and visualize the information. This is a client-facing role that demands excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to translate complex technical requirements into elegant, functional solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop novel methods, processes, and systems to extract raw data from Splunk and create intuitive reports and dashboards.
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams to define requirements for, create, and refine a variety of recurring and ad-hoc reports.
• Utilize Python and its data science libraries (e.g., NumPy, Pandas) to perform advanced data manipulation, analysis, and interpretation, transforming raw data into actionable knowledge.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for the customer, effectively communicating project status, managing expectations, and negotiating solutions to complex challenges.
• Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements and lead initiatives to innovate and implement new reporting and scripting solutions.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for all created solutions and processes to ensure clarity and maintainability.
• Apply data science best practices and standard operating procedures to foster team cohesion and ensure the highest quality deliverables.

Required Skills:

• Must possess an active Top Secret security clearance with Full Scope Polygraph (TS/SCI with FS Poly).
• A Master's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, OR a Bachelor's degree with 14+ years of relevant experience.
• Expert-level experience with Splunk, including deep proficiency in SPL queries, reporting, and dashboard creation in Splunk Enterprise.
• Hands-on experience with Python for data manipulation, scripting, and analysis.
• Extensive knowledge of core Python data science libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, OpenPyXL, etc.
• Demonstrated experience leading high-impact, customer-facing technical projects and negotiating effective solutions to complex data challenges.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment with other developers and data scientists.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to work onsite at the client location in Chantilly, VA.

Desired:

• Significant experience with SQL and relational databases (e.g., MySQL, MS Access).
• Proficiency in scripting with PowerShell.
• Familiarity with Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) for legacy system integration or reporting.
• Experience with data visualization tools, particularly Tableau.
• Knowledge of SharePoint (on-premise) for collaboration and data sharing.