Principal Data Scientist

OverviewPrincipal Data Scientist - West Bend, Wisconsin role at Delta Defense LLCApplicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.ResponsibilitiesCollaborate with the Director of Advanced Analytics to define and advance the data science vision and roadmap, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals.Lead, mentor, and develop the data science team and external consultants to build a high-performing and collaborative practice.Champion the adoption of best practices in machine learning, MLOps, model governance, and AI safety.Provide expert guidance and technical oversight on all data science projects and initiatives.Foster a culture of accountability, professional development, high performance, and integrity.Project Delivery And Business PartnershipPartner with senior leaders across business units to identify strategic opportunities for AI and data science innovation.Translate business problems into clear, measurable, and scalable data science solutions.Oversee end-to-end project execution, including scoping, design, development, deployment, and post-implementation support.Communicate technical concepts and insights effectively to executive and non-technical audiences.Technical Excellence And InnovationDesign, build, and deploy robust machine learning and optimization models using Python, SQL and Snowflake.Implement and maintain automated MLOps pipelines for model training, testing, deployment, and monitoring.Lead the development of generative AI applications (e.g., LLM-based tools, summarization, recommendation engines) and agentic AI systems (e.g., multi-agent planning, tool use frameworks).Promote experimentation and continuous learning to stay ahead of emerging technologies and methodologies.Governance And EnablementEnsure all models and AI systems meet standards for security, compliance, ethics, and responsible AI.Develop reusable tools, templates, and frameworks to accelerate delivery and reduce technical debt.Collaborate with engineering, analytics, and IT teams to ensure cohesive platform architecture and infrastructure readiness.Required Education, Experience And SkillsMaster’s degree or PhD in Data Science, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Operations Research, or a related field is required.At least 7 years of experience developing and deploying data science solutions in business settings.Proven leadership experience with a demonstrated ability to mentor and manage high-performing teams.Expert proficiency in Python (NumPy, Pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch, transformers) and advanced SQL.Experience with modern data and compute platforms including Snowflake, Databricks, Spark, and cloud services (AWS, Azure, GCP).Strong track record of delivering business value through predictive modeling, prescriptive analytics, and AI system design.Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional stakeholders, explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, and present effectively to executive leadership.Demonstrates the Core Values of Delta Defense, LLC.This position is based at our corporate headquarters in West Bend, Wisconsin. A hybrid arrangement with some remote work will be considered.Target base salary range $145,000 - $180,000 based on experience. Eligible for company bonus plan.Review benefits information and submit your application at: Delta Defense CareersWhy You Should Work at Delta DefenseWe are a fun, fast-paced, and rewarding place to work and growNationally recognized in 2023 and 2024 as a Newsweek Top 100 America’s Most Loved WorkplaceTop Workplaces USA award in 2022Named on Inc. 5000 “Fastest Growing Private Companies” list 13 years in a rowMilwaukee Journal Sentinel “Top Workplace” award 7 years in a rowMilwaukee Business Journal “Best Place to Work” award 6 years in a rowThis job posting reflects current opening and responsibilities and is subject to change. #J-18808-Ljbffr