Sr. Data Scientist

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Data Scientist who will work with client stakeholders to support economic analysis of national importance through the application of advanced statistics and data science techniques and technologies. In this position, you will use your background in statistics, machine learning, generative AI, visualization, economic analysis, and big data processing to plan and execute projects to meet business client data needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with stakeholders to scope questions and assumptions, support solution design, and facilitate project execution.
• Design and implement robust data ingestion, storage, integration, processing, retrieval, and management strategies for research datasets.
• Build transparent, reproducible pipelines and analysis environments in cloud infrastructures.
• Produce exhibits and memos that explain methods, limitations, and uncertainty.
• Facilitate and execute data-driven research by applying statistical, machine learning, and computational methods to analyze complex datasets related to computer and information science.
• Create data visualizations and reports that convey research findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Support defensible analytics and econometric/causal inference workstreams, translating business or legal questions into testable hypotheses and findings.
• Design and execute rigorous studies (e.g., difference-in-differences, panel models, instrumental variables/2SLS, time series/forecasting) to turn multi-source datasets into documented, auditable results.
• Mentor teammates on best practices.
• Stay updated on the latest academic research and industry advancements in data science, AI, and information systems.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree, PhD preferred in Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• 5–8+ years of applied data science experience.
• Mastery of Python or R, statistical tools such as Stata, SAS and strong SQL.
• Expertise with ML algorithms (e.g. model selection, evaluation, feature engineering).
• Expertise with application of AI to deliver insights using structured, unstructured data.
• Expertise with data visualization tools (e.g. Tableau, Matplotlib).
• Experience processing large datasets and deploying LLMs in government cloud data platforms (e.g. Azure ADLS/Databricks/Azure ML, or equivalents).
• Comparative understanding of LLMs (e.g. Claude Code, ChatGPT).
• Familiarity with FISMA/NIST/Zero Trust security frameworks.
• Current Principal Data Scientist (PDS) Certification.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and analytically.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and a bias toward rigor, clarity, and defensibility over black-box modeling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Spark/Databricks.
• Domain exposure to antitrust, pricing, healthcare claims, fraud/forensics, or financial analysis.
• Experience producing reproducible, peer-reviewed-method analyses that meet Rule 702/Daubert reliability requirements and can withstand Daubert challenges.
• Contribution to open-source projects or participation in relevant data science communities.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must be able to obtain and/or maintain a Public Trust clearance as a condition and continuation of employment.

Compensation & Benefits

The pay rate for this position is between $60.00/hr and $70.00/hr.

Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Apex team member can provide.