Data Scientist/Data Science Lead

Overview LMI is seeking a Data Scientist / Data Science Lead to provide hands-on analytical leadership across Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) modernization initiatives. The role combines advanced analytics, statistical and machine-learning methods, data-quality rigor, analytical coding, technical review, and decision support for complex mission and operational questions. This position follows a hybrid work model, with an expectation of approximately 25% onsite presence at LMI’s Tysons headquarters or Washington, DC. The Data Scientist / Data Science Lead is expected to be a working technical leader, not solely a reviewer. The person should be able to inspect raw data, write code, test assumptions, choose appropriate methods, and step into difficult analytical problems while also setting standards that improve the quality and reproducibility of the broader team. The strongest candidate will combine statistical judgment with practical mission orientation. This means understanding when sophisticated methods are justified, when simpler approaches are more defensible, how data limitations affect conclusions, and how to connect analytical results to operational or clinical decisions. The lead will also be responsible for raising the analytical capability of the team. This includes setting expectations for peer review, helping staff choose appropriate methods, identifying when a question requires deeper expertise, and creating a culture where limitations and negative findings are reported as clearly as positive results. The ideal candidate combines strong statistical coding with practical data-quality rigor and can explain evidence, uncertainty, bias, missingness, and limitations to technical, operational, clinical, and executive audiences. LMI is a new breed of digital solutions provider dedicated to accelerating government impact with innovation and speed. Investing in technology and prototypes ahead of need, LMI brings commercial-grade platforms and mission-ready AI to federal agencies at commercial speed. Leveraging our mission-ready technology and solutions, proven expertise in federal deployment, and strategic relationships, we enhance outcomes for the government, efficiently and effectively. With a focus on agility and collaboration, LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy sectors—helping agencies navigate complexity and outpace change. Headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, LMI is committed to delivering impactful results that strengthen missions and drive lasting value. Responsibilities Lead analytical strategy for complex operational, clinical, workflow, and technology questions. Assess data readiness, quality, sensitivity, lineage, authoritative sources, and fitness for intended measures. Develop and review statistical models, machine-learning methods, exploratory analyses, and AI/LLM evaluations. Design reporting-ready data models, transformations, validation logic, and analytical pipelines. …