About The Role

At PMAT, we work on mission critical systems that directly support the warfighter, designing, building, and securing modern digital capabilities across cloud, data, and software environments. Our teams tackle complex, real-world challenges where delivery matters more than theory, and innovation is driven by curiosity, collaboration, and purpose.

In this role, you’ll contribute to Naval Operational Architecture (NOA), working alongside engineers and operators to deliver resilient, forward-leaning solutions in support of national defense.

About the role: PMAT is seeking a highly experienced Chief Data Scientist to provide senior-level technical leadership across tactical data science, data engineering, software prototyping, operational analytics, and mission-focused data solution development in support of advanced Navy and Department of War capabilities. This role will work directly with warfighter end-users, operational stakeholders, engineering teams, cybersecurity personnel, and program leadership to identify operational use cases, develop prototype solutions, and support deployment at tactical edge locations, including ships, shore installations, Maritime Operations Centers, and other mission environments. The candidate will lead data-driven capability development across secure IL6 and IL7 environments while supporting data pipeline automation, geospatial analysis, DevSecOps integration, cybersecurity posture, and end-user training. The role requires extensive experience in data science, data engineering, software development, systems thinking, naval operations, and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into operationally useful capabilities.

Responsibilities

Lead tactical data science efforts by working directly with warfighter end-users to identify operational use cases, define mission data needs, develop prototype solutions, and support deployment in shipboard, shore-based, and Maritime Operations Center environments.
Develop, maintain, and improve secure environments for Data Pillar applications on IL6 and IL7 systems by coordinating with cybersecurity, system administration, cloud infrastructure, and engineering teams.
Design, build, and sustain data pipelines, analytics workflows, data engineering processes, and software prototypes that support operational decision-making, tactical data architecture, and mission-focused analytics.
Ensure geospatial data capabilities are available and operational by supporting ArcGIS Pro, geospatial workflows, data visualization, and analytic products within secure work center and watch floor environments.
Lead integration of data science, software engineering, DevSecOps, and cyber-approved deployment practices by supporting pipeline automation, automated scans, mitigation workflows, Docker container builds, and deployable production and development versions.
Support cybersecurity posture for data applications and environments by coordinating vulnerability remediation, POA&M tracking, medium finding burndown, ISSM-approved mitigations, and cybersecurity system administration support for Amazon EC2 infrastructure.
Provide senior-level coordination with operational and program leadership by supporting OIC engagement, cross-command communication, technical meetings, briefings, whitepapers, and stakeholder alignment across data, cyber, engineering, and mission teams.
Train and support end-users on Data Pillar processes, products, prototype solutions, future developments, and strategic goals during Data Science at Sea support efforts, Maritime Operations Center support initiatives, and other operational engagements.
Provide technical leadership across cross-functional teams by guiding data scientists, engineers, developers, analysts, system administrators, cyber personnel, and operational stakeholders through prototype development, testing, deployment, sustainment, and improvement activities.
Translate complex data, analytics, cyber, and software concepts into clear operational insights, technical recommendations, executive briefings, training materials, and actionable decision-support products.

About Us: PMAT is an innovative small business founded with a passion for developing forward-leaning solutions from exceptional people that increase the mission's capability. We focus on designing and building impactful digital solutions that utilize modern cloud, data, and software concepts. Our passion is working on complex and progressive challenges such as edge platform computing, containerizing legacy platforms, distributed data platforms, or heterogeneous data analysis.

We recruit, retain, and foster a team motivated to pursue passions, investigate new ways of doing things, and embody an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. We believe in being curious about every element of a problem and experiment relentlessly. We foster continuous learning in an environment that encourages positive collaboration and expands our capabilities. We tap into collective intelligence, acknowledging that the most brilliant people may not be in the room. Above all else, we believe that delivering and demonstrating is more potent than a sheet of paper. We are passionate about mission-centric design and delivering effective capabilities to and for the warfighter.

Whether you’re an experienced engineer or just beginning your career, you’ll work alongside experts who are committed to solving mission-critical problems. If you’re passionate about using your skills to make a real difference, apply today and become part of a team that’s shaping the future of defense technology!

Required Skills and Experience

Extensive experience leading data science, data engineering, analytics, software development, operational data solutions, or mission-focused technical teams.
Strong experience using Python and common data science, data engineering, analytics, and automation libraries to develop, test, deploy, and sustain data-driven solutions.
Experience developing and deploying data-driven solutions in operational, tactical, government, military, or mission-focused environments.
Experience with data science, data mining, statistics, operations research, graph analytics, advanced analytics, or applied mathematical methods to support mission objectives.
Experience developing and sustaining data pipelines, ETL processes, APIs, SQL/NoSQL data solutions, web application services, search indexes, or data integration workflows.
Experience with software integration, testing, scripting, prototype development, technical troubleshooting, and support for deployed software or data products.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights, operational recommendations, and decision-support products.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with warfighters, military personnel, engineers, cybersecurity teams, program leadership, and executive stakeholders.

Preferred Skills and Experience

Experience supporting Navy, Department of War, Intelligence Community, RDT&E, or operational mission environments.
Experience working with IL6, IL7, classified, multi-enclave, cloud, or compliance-driven technical environments.
Experience with ArcGIS Pro, geospatial analysis, maritime data visualization, operational mapping, or location-based analytics.
Experience supporting naval command and control systems, maritime operations, distributed maritime operations, Maritime Operations Centers, shipboard operations, or Data Science at Sea efforts.
Experience with DevSecOps pipeline integration, automated vulnerability scanning, mitigation workflows, automated Docker container builds, and cyber-approved deployment processes.
Experience supporting production and development software versions while maintaining deployable cybersecurity posture across secure environments.
Experience with Amazon EC2 infrastructure, cloud-based data environments, cybersecurity system administration, or secure application hosting.
Experience with NiFi, Kafka, Jupyter Notebook, Pandas, NumPy, Requests, R, SQL, NoSQL, APIs, web application servers, ETL pipelines, and data streaming architectures.
Experience preparing technical briefings, whitepapers, training materials, user documentation, architecture products, standards, competency models, or process documentation.
Experience designing, developing, testing, implementing, or documenting network-based or web-based collaboration tools and platforms supporting engineering or business operations.
Experience training military personnel, operational users, or technical teams on data science tools, data products, analytic workflows, prototype solutions, and tactical data processes.
Relevant technical certifications or equivalent demonstrated experience in data science, cloud, analytics, software development, enterprise systems, or data platform administration.

Education and Certification Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent Experience

Citizenship and Clearance Requirements

U.S. Citizenship required
No dual citizenship
TS/SCI Eligible, security clearance required

Location/Address

100% On-site
San Diego, CA, NAVWAR

Travel & Passport: 5%, CONUS and OCONUS

Work Environment: PMAT offices as needed. In some cases, work in a government facility may be required. Travel may be required for customer engagement, team coordination, and potentially for business development.

PMAT is an equal-opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.

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