Data Scientist - Junior/Journeyman

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. provides technical solutions and professional services for complex national security and space-related missions. The Junior/Journeyman Data Scientist will develop, validate, and refine predictive sustainment capabilities using data analytics, reliability analysis, and machine learning. The role supports predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, sustainment risk assessments, and decision-support products in collaboration with engineering, logistics, and operations teams.

What you'll do:

• Develop, maintain, and refine predictive analytics models supporting sustainment of space mission systems
• Analyze operational data, maintenance records, telemetry streams, reliability metrics, and system performance trends to identify degradation or failure indicators
• Support the development of predictive maintenance models, reliability assessments, and CBM+ analytical products under senior guidance
• Prepare and validate data pipelines, feature engineering workflows, and model QA steps to ensure analytical accuracy and repeatability
• Assist with development of failure mode analyses, lifecycle performance studies, and sustainment risk assessments
• Apply supervised and unsupervised ML techniques—where permitted—to support anomaly detection, maintenance forecasting, and reliability trend identification
• Produce clear analytical summaries, technical findings, sustainment metrics, and decision-support products for program management and engineering reviews
• Maintain configuration-controlled analytical artifacts and contribute to sustainment baselines supporting TO Task 5 deliverables
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure data fidelity, traceability, and compliance with sustainment frameworks

What they're looking for:

• US Citizenship with TS/SCI clearance at time of application with ability to obtain and maintain SAP clearance
• Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Analytics, or related field
• Experience with Python, R, or similar analytics tools
• Experience working with datasets, metrics, or basic statistical/ML techniques
• Strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and documentation proficiency
• Ability to report to designated work location in Colorado Springs, up to full time, based on the needs of the customer
• Experience with reliability engineering concepts (FMEA, FRACAS, RCM, probability of failure models)
• Exposure to predictive maintenance modeling, CBM+, or digital sustainment environments
• Experience with analytics visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau)
• Familiarity with AI/ML modeling, feature engineering, or anomaly detection workflows
• Experience with defense systems, sustainment programs, or engineering teams
• Relevant early-career certifications (e.g., CompTIA Data+, AWS Practitioner, beginner reliability certs)

Benefits:

• Variable compensation opportunities
• Health insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Health savings accounts
• Retirement savings plans
• Life and disability insurance programs
• Paid time away from work
• Unpaid time away from work