Applied Data Scientist
First seen by Alion on Aug 11, 2026.
About Shift5
Shift5 is building the data platform for onboard operational technology (OT). We deliver cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance capabilities that enable defense and commercial fleets to operate with greater readiness, resilience, and mission assurance.
Shift5 is seeking an Applied Data Scientist to join our growing Data Science team. In this role, your primary responsibility will be to collaborate with customers and internal stakeholders to discover critical insights, deconstruct complex business problems into testable hypotheses, and build end-to-end data science solutions that scale back into Shift5’s core product line.
What You'll Do
End-to-End Project Scoping: Take ownership of data science projects from initial problem definition and hypothesis building to final, actionable deliverable.
Product Generalization: Take one-off customer insights and solutions and build them back into the broader, deployable suite of Shift5 core products.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with embedded analysts, deployment strategists, and forward-deployed engineers to translate complex analyses into immediate customer value.
Advanced Data Analysis: Perform complex statistical analyses to push the envelope, interpret trends, and break new ground in leveraging operational data for diagnosis and prediction.
System Optimization: Work closely with programmers, engineers, and leadership to identify process improvements, propose system modifications, and devise long-term data strategies.
What Success Looks Like
- You are proactive at identifying critical open questions and customer needs - often far ahead of the customer’s own articulation of them.
You maintain a "no task too small" mindset, successfully managing multiple engagements simultaneously while staying focused on scalable solutions.
You efficiently break down unstructured, highly ambiguous problems into smaller, manageable parts and execute them independently.
What We’re Looking For
Technical Skills: Fluency in a generic analytics coding language (Python, SQL, R, or Matlab) and strong data needs analysis skills (identifying data and technical tests required to validate hypotheses).
Communication & Mindset: Excellent communication skills with a track record of translating highly technical information for non-technical audiences. A humble, receptive attitude toward feedback.
Logistics: Ability and willingness to travel up to 40% of the time (US only).
Preferred Experience: Experience with time-series data, and a background/education blend (ideally a Master's or Doctorate program) in Data Science. Industry experience in defense, aerospace, or cybersecurity is a major plus.
Compensation & Benefits
Base Salary: $120,000 - $170,000
Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup
Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance
Uncapped paid time off policy
Flexible work & remote work policy
Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)
We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that embraces the diversity of our people and represents the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives and ways of solving problems. We strive to attract and retain talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.
Shift5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, age, marital status, ancestry, projected veteran status, or any other protected group or class.
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